Research Day 2021
33rd Annual EVMS Research Day Goes Virtual
Research Day 2021 was held entirely on this website Friday, Oct. 15, from noon to 5 p.m.
More than 150 students submitted video PowerPoint versions of their presentations for this year’s event. Viewers were encouraged to watch presentations of interest prior to the day of the event and to bring questions to the series of question-and-answer sessions.
View this year's submissions using the modules below, which are arranged in alphabetical order by last name. Information about the question-and-answer sessions is included in each of the modules.
Find a complete playlist of these videos on the EVMS YouTube Channel.
Poster Session Presentations

Impact of Spaceflight Stress Exposure on Neural Communication
Author: Austin Adkins
Program: Graduate Student
Mentor(s): Larry D. Sanford, PhD
Research Type: Basic Science
Session/Time: e / 3:40-4:00

Managing the gap in General Academic Pediatrics (GAP) regarding food insecurity
Author: Oluwatobi Akande
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Heidi Flatin, MD
Research Type: Public Health
Session/Time: d / 4:00-4:20

Skin Cancer Screening Practices Among Dermatologists: A Survey Study
Author: Yanci Algarin
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Vishal A. Patel, MD
Research Type: Clinical Research
Session/Time: b / 3:20-3:40

Gestational Diabetes: Understanding the Disease and Innovations in Diagnosis and Treatment
Author: Ayan Ali
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Gerald Pepe, PhD
Research Type: Review Article
Session/Time: g / 2:40-3:00

Effect of calcium channel blockers on the labor curve in pregnant women with chronic hypertension
Author: Dana Baraki
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Tetsuya Kawakita, MD
Research Type: Clinical Research
Session/Time: b / 4:20-4:40

A Distinctive Histological Form of Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Perineural Invasion
Author: Jason Bard
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Joseph Wentzell, MD
Research Type: Case Report
Session/Time: c / 2:40-3:00

Utilizing a Quality of Life (QOL) Tool to Examine the Presence of Fatigue in Subjects with Diabetes
Author: Jason Bard
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Carolina Casellini, MD
Research Type: Clinical Research
Session/Time: c / 3:00-3:20

Aristolochic Acid Directly Activates Macrophages in Aristolochic Acid Nephropathy
Author: Stephanie Bennett
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Andrew Terker, MD
Research Type: Basic Science
Session/Time: b / 3:40-4:00

Induction of Type-1 to Type-2 Pericyte Transition In Vitro
Author: Diana Bohannon
Program: Graduate Student
Mentor(s): Woong-ki Kim, PhD
Research Type: Basic Science
Session/Time: e / 3:20-3:40

An Inquiry Into Equity Issues Surrounding COVID-19 Among Black and African American Individuals
Author: David Brodnik
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Patti Kiger, MSEd
Research Type: Public Health
Session/Time: a / 3:40-4:00

An Analysis of Qualitative Themes in Yelp Reviews of Anesthesiology Practices
Author: David Brodnik
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Evan DaBreo, MD
Research Type: Practice Management
Session/Time: a / 3:20-3:40

Extreme Heat Events and Health Outcomes: Vulnerability Mapping of the City of Norfolk
Author: Jack Capra
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Alexandra Leader, MD, MPH
Research Type: Public Health
Session/Time: g / 3:40-4:00

Radiologic Diagnosis of Craniosynostosis
Author: Charlotte Chambers
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Michele Retrouvey, MD
Research Type: Review Article
Session/Time: b / 3:00-3:20

Examining the role of cannabinoid-2 receptor activation in bacterial clearance
Author: Vincent Chan
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Nagaraja Nagre, PhD
Research Type: Basic Science
Session/Time: b / 3:40-4:00

Congenital Portosystemic Venous Shunt: A Rare and Interesting Case Report
Author: Laura Columbus
Program: Resident/Clinical Fellow
Mentor(s): R. Hampton Andrews, MD
Research Type: Case Report
Session/Time: a / 3:00-3:20

Goals and Requirements for Mentorship in an Academic Pediatric Specialty Practice
Author: Riccardo DeCataldo
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Eric Werner, MD
Research Type: Educational
Session/Time: d / 3:40-4:00

Management of Multiple Rib Fractures in Trauma Patients
Author: Kyle Deivert
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Jay Collins, MD, FACS
Research Type: Clinical Research
Session/Time: d / 2:40-3:00

Patient-Targeted Googling: A Qualitative Study of Psychologists' Perceptions and Practices
Author: Kayla Disasi
Program: Other
Mentor(s): Kelli England, PhD
Research Type: Behavioral Health
Session/Time: a / 3:20-3:40

Improving the Recognition of a "No Hit Zone" in a Pediatric Practice
Author: Rohan Dod
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): John Harrington, MD
Research Type: Clinical Research
Session/Time: d / 3:00-3:20

COVID19 Pandemic Impact on Pediatric Orthopedic Trauma
Author: Wihan DuPlessis
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): James Bennett, MD
Research Type: Clinical Research
Session/Time: d / 2:40-3:00

Can Mouse Ovarian Follicles Grow and Ovulate In Vitro?
Author: Maymona Dulli
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Diane M. Duffy, PhD
Research Type: Basic Science
Session/Time: g / 2:40-3:00

Impact of COVID-19 on families of children with autism spectrum disorder
Author: Virginia Evans
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): John Harrington, MD
Research Type: Clinical Research
Session/Time: d / 3:00-3:20

Understanding, Improving & Tracking of Diabetes Care in the Western Tidewater Region of Virginia
Author: Nathaniel Faber
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Henri Parson, PhD
Research Type: Public Health
Session/Time: f / 3:40-4:00

A rare case of isolated neurosarcoidosis
Author: Abigail Fariscal
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): David Spiegel, MD
Research Type: Case Report
Session/Time: d / 4:20-4:40

Extracellular and Intracellular Cholesterol in B cells Modulates B Cell Activation Thresholds
Author: Phillip Gauronskas
Program: Graduate Student
Mentor(s): Elena V. Galkina, PhD, FAHA
Research Type: Basic Science
Session/Time: e / 3:20-3:40

Symptom Assessment of Cancer Patients in Palliative Care Medicine Clinic
Author: Richa Goel
Program: Resident/Clinical Fellow
Mentor(s): M.C. Galicia-Castillo, MD; Lauren Mazzurco, DO
Research Type: Clinical Research
Session/Time: a / 3:00-3:20

Creating Community Dialogue to Improve Oral Health in Hampton Roads
Author: Syed Haque
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Sara M. Rothenberg, MPH
Research Type: Public Health
Session/Time: a / 2:40-3:00

Skin Beauty Attitudes and Sun-Safe Behaviors Among Latinx Communities in Hampton Roads
Author: Sarah Hermak
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Alexandra Leader, MD, MPH
Research Type: Public Health
Session/Time: a / 4:20-4:40

Validation of Child-Reported Quality of Life Instrument in Children With Sleep Disordered Breathing
Author: Daniel Heshmatipour
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Cristina Baldassari, MD, FAAP, FACS
Research Type: Clinical Research
Session/Time: g / 4:20-4:40

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Surgical Case Load, Surgical Resident Wellness, and ABSITE Scores
Author: Jacob Hughes
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Jessica Burgess, MD
Research Type: Educational
Session/Time: f / 4:20-4:40

Breast Density and its Impact on Screening Mammograms
Author: Katherine Johnson
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Dawn Hrelic, MD
Research Type: Review Article
Session/Time: b / 3:00-3:20

The Existence of GlycoRNA in Benign and Malignant Prostatic Cell Lines
Author: Esther Jones
Program: Graduate Student
Mentor(s): Aurora Esquela-Kerscher, PhD
Research Type: Basic Science
Session/Time: e / 3:00-3:20

Appearance of intra-abdominal foreign bodies on multiple radiologic modalities
Author: Matthew Kang
Program: Resident/Clinical Fellow
Mentor(s): Christopher O'Neill, MD
Research Type: Review Article
Session/Time: b / 2:40-3:00

Changes After COVID-19 Among People Who Smoke Cigarettes
Author: Mayuri Kathrotia
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Paul Harrell, PhD
Research Type: Public Health
Session/Time: g / 4:00-4:20

AAV-PCSK9 mouse model of hypercholesterolemia does not serve as a useful model of metabolic syndrome
Author: W. Coles Keeter
Program: Graduate Student
Mentor(s): Elena V. Galkina, PhD, FAHA
Research Type: Basic Science
Session/Time: e / 4:00-4:20

Impact of Apnea vs. Hypopnea Predominance on Adenotonsillectomy Outcomes in Children with OSA
Author: Saadhana Kukkala
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Cristina Baldassari, MD, FAAP, FACS
Research Type: Clinical Research
Session/Time: c / 4:20-4:40

POCUS: An opportunity to improve High Value Care Education in the Clinical Learning Environment
Author: Rayghan Larick
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Lauren Mazzurco, DO
Research Type: Educational
Session/Time: a / 4:00-4:20

Portsmouth Diabetes Prevention Project: EVMS Connect4Health+ Wellness Coaching during COVID-19
Author: Lydia Lukomski
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Amy Paulson, MPH
Research Type: Public Health
Session/Time: f / 3:40-4:00

LHCGR Mediates Angiogenic Signaling in Ovarian Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Author: Merete Lund
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Diane M. Duffy, PhD
Research Type: Basic Science
Session/Time: b / 4:20-4:40

Lentiviral Vector Creation for the Treatment of Alpha-Thalassemia Major
Author: Alexander Maddock
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Donald Kohn, MD
Research Type: Basic Science
Session/Time: f / 3:20-3:40

Imaging Findings of Bicornuate Uterus at 9 weeks Gestation
Author: Ashlee Malone
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Kathy Byun, MD
Research Type: Case Report
Session/Time: b / 4:20-4:40

Analysis of Treatments of Anaphylaxis Cases in the Emergency Department at CHKD from 2010-2020
Author: Emmanuel Marfo
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Kelly Maples, MD
Research Type: Educational
Session/Time: d / 3:20-3:40

A Characterization of Patients Receiving Multiple Biologics for Chronic Inflammatory Diseases
Author: Thomas Marshall
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Joseph Han, MD
Research Type: Clinical Research
Session/Time: c / 3:40-4:00

The Digital Patient Project: Trends in Data Standards for Modeling Human Biological Systems
Author: Nolan Martin
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Bob Armstrong, MS
Research Type: Literature Review
Session/Time: g / 3:00-3:20

Understanding Markers of Cancer Vulnerabilities to Metformin
Author: Stephen Martin
Program: Graduate Student
Mentor(s): David Mu, PhD
Research Type: Basic Science
Session/Time: e / 3:00-3:20

Vascular Supply of the Abdomen on Angiography
Author: Robert McCauley
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Christopher Dobzyniak, MD
Research Type: Review Article
Session/Time: g / 3:20-3:40

Immediate versus Delayed Reconstruction of Skin Defects Following Malignant Tumor Resection
Author: Claire McHugh
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Lambros Viennas, MD
Research Type: Review Article
Session/Time: b / 3:20-3:40

Effect of extracellular vesicles on coronary endothelium proliferation and barrier function
Author: Noel Miller
Program: Graduate Student
Mentor(s): Anca Dobrian, PhD, FAHA
Research Type: Basic Science
Session/Time: e / 3:20-3:40

Conversion Disorder to Marburg Variant Multiple Sclerosis - An Unnerving Tale
Author: Sudarshan Mohan
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Saad Mussarat, MD, MBBS
Research Type: Case Report
Session/Time: d / 4:20-4:40

A Drunken Heart: Severe Alcohol Withdrawal leading to Cardiac Arrest
Author: Sudarshan Mohan
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Saad Mussarat, MD, MBBS
Research Type: Case Report
Session/Time: g / 4:00-4:20

A Preliminary Assessment on the Utility of Universal Lipid Screening Guidelines at CHKD Pediatrics
Author: Wais Mojadedi
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): John Harrington, MD
Research Type: Clinical Research
Session/Time: a / 3:20-3:40

A Sleepy-Leaky Gut: The Effects of Sleep Fragmentation on Small Intestine Inflammation
Author: Alina Moriarty
Program: Graduate Student
Mentor(s): Elena V. Galkina, PhD, FAHA
Research Type: Basic Science
Session/Time: e / 4:00-4:20

Improving health outcomes through understanding access to oral health care in Hampton Roads
Author: Michele Nsianya
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Sara M. Rothenberg, MPH
Research Type: Public Health
Session/Time: a / 2:40-3:00

Common Post Metabolic Surgery Imaging Findings
Author: Daniel O'Neal
Program: Resident/Clinical Fellow
Mentor(s): Christopher O'Neill, MD
Research Type: Review Article
Session/Time: b / 2:40-3:00

Neurotensin May Regulate Vascular Permeability in the Ovarian Follicle
Author: Andrew Pearson
Program: Graduate Student
Mentor(s): Diane M. Duffy, PhD
Research Type: Basic Science
Session/Time: e / 2:40-3:00

Video-Based Tracheostomy Care Education for Medical Students
Author: Serena Pu
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Jonathan Mark, MD
Research Type: Educational
Session/Time: c / 4:00-4:20

Peer Tutoring in Higher Education and Beyond: a literature review
Author: Pierce Publico
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): David Taylor-Fishwick, PhD
Research Type: Educational
Session/Time: c / 4:00-4:20

An Interesting Case of Rapidly Progressive Primary Lateral Sclerosis
Author: Keshin Purohit
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Saad Mussarat, MD, MBBS
Research Type: Case Report
Session/Time: d / 4:20-4:40

Multiple verruciform xanthomas on the scrotum: an unusual case presentation
Author: Vanessa Ramos
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Robert Pariser, MD
Research Type: Case Report
Session/Time: b / 3:20-3:40

Granulomatous Foreign Body Reaction in the Setting of Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome
Author: Vanessa Ramos
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Alice Roberts, MD, PhD
Research Type: Case Report
Session/Time: b / 3:40-4:00

The Combined Effects of Sleep Disorders and Cocaine on Central and Peripheral Inflammation
Author: Kirstin Reed
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Ming-Lei Guo, PhD
Research Type: Basic Science
Session/Time: g / 4:00-4:20

Blood Pressure Quality Improvement through Home Monitoring and the heartBEAT program
Author: Julianna Remo
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Jennifer Ryal, MD
Research Type: Quality Improvement Project
Session/Time: f / 3:00-3:20

Conversion of prior Fibular Bone Graft to Total Hip Arthroplasty via the Anterior Approach
Author: Joseph Rogers
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Joseph Gondusky, MD
Research Type: Case Report
Session/Time: f / 4:20-4:40

Does neurotensin modulate granulosa cell production of inflammatory mediators during ovulation?
Author: Megan Sage
Program: Graduate Student
Mentor(s): Diane M. Duffy, PhD
Research Type: Basic Science
Session/Time: e / 2:40-3:00

Early indicators of potential behavioral health concerns in toddlers
Author: Morgan Shelton
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Mary Margaret Gleason, MD
Research Type: Clinical Research
Session/Time: d / 3:00-3:20

Participant Screening for Ongoing Clinical Trials
Author: Daniel Strock
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Hamid Okhravi, MD
Research Type: Clinical Research Recruitment
Session/Time: f / 2:40-3:00

Role of Neuroinflammation in Neuronal Network
Author: Madeline Sun
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Alberto E. Musto, MD, PhD, FAES
Research Type: Basic Science
Session/Time: c / 3:00-3:20

Inconsistencies in ASQ measurements of infant social and behavioral health
Author: Miranda Teixeira
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Mary Margaret Gleason, MD
Research Type: Clinical Research
Session/Time: d / 3:00-3:20

Program Evaluation and Assessment of Vital Sign Measurement at EVMS HOPES Ophthalmology Clinic
Author: Shambhawi Thakur
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Alexandra Leader, MD, MPH
Research Type: Public Health
Session/Time: a / 3:20-3:40

Neuro-inflammatory targets in glioblastoma multiforme
Author: Jovanna Tracz
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Alberto E. Musto, MD, PhD, FAES
Research Type: Basic Science
Session/Time: c / 3:00-3:20

Oral Ulcers Were the Tip of the Iceberg
Author: Minh Tu Tran
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Sami G. Tahhan, MD, FACP
Research Type: Case Report
Session/Time: a / 2:40-3:00

Olanzapine-induced anasarca: a case report
Author: Minh Tu Tran
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): James Rapley, MD
Research Type: Case Report
Session/Time: e / 4:20-4:40

Incorporating Vape Prevention Education in Pediatric Practices
Author: Anisha Vanka
Program: Other
Mentor(s): Kelli England, PhD
Research Type: Public Health
Session/Time: a / 3:00-3:20

Reducing Caregiver Burden: Group Psychoeducation for Caregivers of Patients with Dementia
Author: Lavinia Wainwright
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Hamid Okhravi, MD
Research Type: Clinical Research
Session/Time: f / 2:40-3:00

Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Overdose Emergency Response Calls in Norfolk, Virginia
Author: Mekenzie Wilson
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): David Mu, PhD
Research Type: Public Health
Session/Time: a / 3:40-4:00

@Dermatology - The Continued Growth of Instagram Utilization by Dermatology Residency Programs
Author: Jennifer Wintringham
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Robert J. Smith, MD
Research Type: Descriptive Research
Session/Time: a / 4:00-4:20

Neuroimaging Findings in a Patient with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome DiGeorge Syndrome
Author: Abigail Winz
Program: Resident/Clinical Fellow
Mentor(s): Mitchell Wangsgard, MD
Research Type: Case Report
Session/Time: b / 2:40-3:00

Incidental Finding of Subcarinal Air Cyst or Tracheobronchial Diverticulum
Author: Eunice Wu
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Lauren Jutras, MD
Research Type: Case Report
Session/Time: d / 4:20-4:40

A Retrospective Validation of Disease Activity Questionnaire for Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Author: Banruo Yang
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Kent Lam, MD
Research Type: Clinical Research
Session/Time: c / 4:20-4:40

Evaluation of the Emergency Department Usage After a Hurricane: Identifying At-Risk Populations
Author: Hemasree Yeluru
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Greg Weingart, MD
Research Type: Clinical Research
Session/Time: g / 3:40-4:00

Optimizing Anchor Placement for Cone-Shaped Rotator Cuff Tears
Author: Victor Yu
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Kevin Bonner, MD
Research Type: Technique Article
Session/Time: f / 4:00-4:20

Role of BCR in Atherosclerosis
Author: Aleksandr Zyskin
Program: Medicine
Mentor(s): Elena V. Galkina, PhD, FAHA
Research Type: Basic Science
Session/Time: g / 3:00-3:20