Who are we?
The BSSO is a student-run organization composed of members of the Biomedical Sciences doctoral and master's graduate programs.
What is our mission?
The BSSO strives to help our fellow graduate students succeed in the Biomedical Sciences - Research program through mentorship, career education opportunities, and social events.
Student members of the BSSO organize an annual research conference open to the medical school and Hampton Roads community that allows graduate students an opportunity to present their research, strengthen their presentation skills and foster collaborations across departments and universities.
The Graduate Student Research Conference is privileged, and proud, to have hosted students from universities across the Hampton Roads metro area and throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Learn more about the conference
Past conference Participation
Student members of the BSSO are actively involved in the community around them. In collaboration with other clubs at EVMS, BSSO members participate in various events and panels around campus, which allows the students to showcase the work being done in the Biomedical Sciences Program. Additionally, BSSO members travel to collaborating local high schools and universities to educate high school and undergraduate students about life as a Biomedical Sciences graduate student.
By engaging with the broader community, students enhance essential skills such as communication, leadership, and project management, while also learning to translate complex ideas for diverse audiences. BSSO members foster meaningful relationships within the community and enjoy creating real-world impact.
At the beginning of every month, BSSO community members come together for First Fridays – a time for students, friends and families to relax and en outside of lab. Whether going to dinner, or even singing karaoke, First Fridays offers a nice break from the daily responsibilities of the lab. Taking the time to socialize is important for the overall well-being of students.
Everyone is welcome – come hang out and recharge with us!
The BSSO members plan to offer a mentorship-driven opportunity for students to practice their presentations in a supportive, peer-led setting. These sessions are organized by students, for students – fostering a collaborative environment where peers can build confidence, receive constructive feedback, grow their communication skills and enjoy each other's company.
Contact us if you have any questions about the BSSO or the Biomedical Sciences research program.
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Hi, my name is Natalie Stahr. I am originally from Rochester, Minnesota, although I also lived in Valrico, Florida for some time. I have a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Auburn University. I am currently a 3rd year PhD student in the labs of Dr. Elena Galkina and Dr. Woong-Ki Kim studying the role of CSF1R in diabetes as well as myeloid-derived STAT4 in metabolic syndrome in Alzheimer’s Disease.
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Hello, my name is Matthew Bavuso. I've lived in Virginia most of my life, but I have lived in Florida, North Carolina, and California. I earned my B.S. degree from Virginia Wesleyan University, and am in my 2nd year of the Biomedical Research Masters. I work under Dr. Dobrian studying the roles of extracellular vesicles in modulating various biological systems.
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Hello everyone! My name is Cassandra Kirk, but soon to be Cassandra Hyde for I get married this coming March! I am from a small town in central Florida called Mims, where my family still resides. I am a 2nd year master's student in the Biomedical Sciences - Research program. I am currently a part of Dr. Elena Galkina's lab which is an elaborate and dynamic lab that allows me to pursue and practice various techniques involving many different projects centered around the subject of immunology and atherosclerosis.
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My name is Julian Hattler and I am a 2nd year Master's in the lab of Dr. Woong-Ki Kim studying a subset of brain perivascular macrophages in pediatric HIV/SIV infection and ART. I was born in Texas, grew up in Vermont, and did my undergraduate at the University of Virginia. I love to play soccer and board games, powerlift, and an excellent bourbon.
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Hello, everyone! My name is Austin Adkins and I am a third year Ph.D. candidate within the sleep lab of Drs. Sanford and Wellman. My research is directed at the interface between sleep physiology, neuroimmunology, memory, and behavior, and aimed at understanding how these individual systems are integrated, and influence each other, during the stress response. I have held BSSO Executive Committee positions from 2019-2020 and am currently the Phoenix Committee Representative for the 2022-2023 academic year. I was also previously a student in the Biomedical Sciences - Research master’s program . If you have any questions about the Biomedical Sciences Program or the BSSO please feel free to reach out via email.
Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Biomedical Sciences at Old Dominion University
P.O. Box 1980
Norfolk, VA 23501
biomed@odu.edu
This website reflects current program information, including admission criteria and curricula. Information is subject to change.
