Research Trainee Symposium
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SIU’s next-gen scientists showcase research at 2025 trainee symposium

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Trainee researchers shared findings from their most promising scientific and clinical investigations at the 35th Annual Trainee Research Symposium on April 15 and 18 at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield. 

The two-day hybrid symposium offered young scientists and physicians in Springfield and Carbondale an opportunity to gain experience in making formal presentations of their research and clinical discoveries. Faculty mentors provided assistance for each project. Presenting trainees included graduate students, medical students, and Springfield and Quincy residents and fellows.

“The symposia marked our 35th year of showcasing the innovative research and scholarly activity of our trainees. We had more than 90 presentations that reflect the School of Medicine’s continued pursuit to improve the health care of central and southern Illinois through exploration and critical thinking,” said Associate Dean of Research Dr. Don Torry. 

“Listening to the presentations definitely explains why SIU attained Carnegie R1 status this year!” 

The prizewinning presentations are listed below. Some photos from the event are here.


SAVE THE DATES for the 2026 Symposium: March 4-6, 2026


It will be earlier in the spring in attempt to minimize conflicts with medical school curriculum and to facilitate integrated, topic-based presentations and collaborations between projects. More details to follow.

 

35th Annual Trainee Research Symposia Winners

Noah Drewes


MEDICAL STUDENTS FULL ORAL PRESENTATIONS

PLACE

NAME

MENTOR & DEPARTMENT

1

Noah Drewes, M3

[pictured above]

Atique Ahmed, PhD, Northwestern University Department of Neurological Surgery 
(SIU sponsor: Dr. Sowmy Thuppal)

2

Sarah Lee, M3

Lucinda Buescher, MD, Internal Medicine- Dermatology

2

Olubukola Ayegbusi, M4

 

Michael Jakoby, MD/MA, Internal Medicine - Endocrinology

3

Madelynn Marunde, M2

Sharon Kim, PhD, Emergency Medicine/CCR

3

Christopher Rossi, M3

Myto Duong, MD, Emergency Medicine

MEDICAL STUDENTS - LIGHTNING ROUND ORAL PRESENTATIONS

PLACE

NAME

MENTOR & DEPARTMENT

1

Michael Brown, M4

Andy Wilber, PhD, Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology

1

Noah Drewes, M3

Jeffrey Cozzens, MD, Surgery/Div of Neurosurgery

2

Yixuan Ma, M3

Gina M. Sizemore, PhD, Radiation Oncology, Ohio State University 
(SIU sponsor: Dr. Don Torry, MMICB)

2

Ian Alberts, M4

Leonard Rybak, MD/PhD, Pharmacology

3

Hannah Johnson, M3

Hayan Dayoub, Neurosurgery, Springfield Clinic (SIU sponsor: Dr. Andre Catalano, CCR)

3

Taylor Shoraga, M2

Raed Al-Dallow, MD, Internal Medicine; Cardiology

RESIDENTS/FELLOWS - FULL ORAL PRESENTATIONS

PLACE

NAME

MENTOR & DEPARTMENT

1

Austin Carey

John Flack, MD, Internal Medicine

2

Shayla Eaklor

Myto Duong, MD, Emergency Medicine

RESIDENTS/FELLOWS - LIGHTNING ROUND ORAL PRESENTATIONS

PLACE

NAME

MENTOR & DEPARTMENT

1

Dadi Yogitha

Michael Jakoby, MD, Internal Medicine, Endocrinology

2

Areesha Satti

Kalyan Kandra, MD, Psychiatry

2

Mustafa Zubairi

Mingchen Song, MD, Internal Medicine

3

Jared Grootwassink

Ricardo Loret de Mola, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology

GRADUATE STUDENTS - FULL ORAL PRESENTATIONS

PLACE

NAME

MENTOR & DEPARTMENT

1

Savannah Brannan

Ben Richardson, PhD, Pharmacology

2

Shaswati Athaiya

Sophia Ran, PhD, Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology

3

Nooshin Mojahed

Buffy Ellsworth, PhD, Molecular & Integrative Physiology

GRADUATE STUDENTS - LIGHTNING ROUND ORAL PRESENTATIONS

PLACE

NAME

MENTOR & DEPARTMENT

1

Rajaram Kshetri

Ben Richardson, PhD, Pharmacology

2

Emmanuel Ojo

Shelley Tischkau, PhD, Pharmacology

3

Sylvester Yirenkyi

Brent Bany, PhD, Molecular & Integrative Physiology

3

Ridwanullah Abubakar

Buffy Ellsworth, PhD, Molecular & Integrative Physiology

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