Joint Research Conference
MUSM Joint Research Conference
The annual Mercer University Joint Research Conference brings together faculty and students from the School of Medicine and the College of Pharmacy for a collaborative, interprofessional research symposium to present the latest developments in Mercer health-related research. It includes posters and oral presentations from students and faculty, and a keynote address.
2026 Annual Joint Research Conference
The 2026 Annual Joint Research Conference hosted by Mercer’s School of Medicine and College of Pharmacy was held on the four campuses on Friday, October 30, 2026. The Conference provides an excellent opportunity for faculty to showcase their work and for students to gain experience in dissemination of research findings. Awards were given for faculty and student research in both the oral and poster presentation categories.
If you have any questions, please direct them to Dr. Raghavan Chinnadurai at chinnadurai_r@mercer.edu.
Recognitions for Excellent Presentations at the 2026 JRC
Oral Presentation
- Atlanta: Nimi Pullenkunnel Simon
Indole-3-Acetic Acid Targets the Endothelin System to Improve Metabolic and Vascular Dysfunction in Obesity-Associated Type 2 Diabetes - Columbus: Jacob Allen
Acute Sleep Interruption Alters the Gut Microbiome, Short-Chain Fatty Acids, and Intestinal Immune Homeostasis in Mice - Macon: Morgan Wynn
Evaluating Pharmacologic BACE2 Inhibition as a Therapeutic Strategy for Cutaneous Melanoma Growth and Metastasis - Savannah: Brooke Weaver
Long-COVID Impairs Neurovascular Recovery Following Ischemic Stroke
Recognition for Excellent Virtual Poster Lightning Presentation
- Atlanta: Amarae Ferguson
Pricking Up Immunity: Adjuvanted Microneedle Gonorrhea Vaccination in Rhesus Macaques - Columbus: Shaymaa Abdalla
Modeling Juvenile Huntington’s Disease Through Direct Neuronal Reprogramming - Macon: Itohan Aigbekaen
Identifying Barriers to Optimal School Function Among Individuals with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Perspectives from Stakeholders - Savannah: Albert F. Johary
A Comparison of AI-Based Virtual Patients for LGBTQ+ Clinical Skills Training
Recognition for Excellent Poster Presentations
- Atlanta: Olivia Perdue
Exploring the integration of community health worker and pharmacy curricula: a fusion for the future. - Columbus:
Minchan Shim
Spinal Cord Organoids as a Bridge to Reinnervation: Quantitative Evaluation of Skeletal Muscle Fibers in a Preclinical Model of Denervation
Sonali Patel
Corticosteroid Prescribing Patterns in Septic Shock
Kennia Kirksey
Undetection and Undiagnosis of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: A Barrier to Care for Rural Georgia
Lilah Widner & Hannah Watkins
When Penicillin Failed the Surgical Ward: Mary Barber and the Birth of Antibiotic Stewardship - Macon:
Raegan Kelley
Cardiotoxicity of Targeted Therapy Agents for Female Cancers
Graciela Surratt
Quality Improvement Targets in Cardiac Surgery: A Benchmark Analysis of Postoperative Ventilation and Blood Product Utilization
Isabella A. Bordenca
Assessment of Ophthalmology Referral Practice for Diabetic Retinopathy among Pregnant Patients with Pre-Existing Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes - Savannah:
Kayla DiPrima
Novel Proteins Capable of Restoring Mutant p53 Activity
Benjamin T. Wall
Assessment of Cerebral Vascular Density and Blood Flow Using Ultrafast Doppler Ultrasound in an AAV-Mediated Mouse Model of Stroke
Caitlann Belflower
Angiotensin II-Elicited Heart–Kidney Interactions: An Update on Targeting Fibrotic Inhibition by GLP-1 Receptor Activation and SGLT2 Blockade
The 2026 Joint Research Conference abstract booklet is available in Canvas.
Thank you to our event sponsors:
