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.
2025 Annual Joint Research Conference
The 2025 Annual Joint Research Conference hosted by Mercer’s School of Medicine and College of Pharmacy was held on the four campuses on Friday, October 31, 2025. 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. Iuliia Zhuravlova at zhuravlova_i@mercer.edu.
2025 Conference Award Winners
Oral Presentation Winners
- Atlanta: Nazia Hoque, PhD
Indole-3-Acetic Acid Attenuates LPS-Induced Endothelial Activation and Vascular Inflammation via NF-κB Pathway Inhibition - Columbus: Arsha Moorthy
A Novel Model of Human Retinal Degeneration: Direct Neuronal Conversion of Human Fibroblasts into Photoreceptors - Macon: Oluwatimileyin Aderinokun, Anthonia Aralu, Lily Movagharnia
Implementing a PDSA-Based Pain Protocol to Elevate Middle Georgia Pediatric Sickle Cell Care to National Standards - Savannah: Kenzington Deal
Improving Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates at a Family Medicine Clinic: Patient Perspective
Poster Presentation Winners
Biomedical/Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Atlanta: Nimi Simon
Challenging the classical paradigm: combating obesity-driven diabetes and hypertension with a novel agent. - Columbus: Mark E. Murray Jr., MS
Effects of Sleep Interruption on T Cell Activation in a Mouse Model of Sepsis - Macon: Bhumi R. Patel
Transport of Mercury-Albumin Complexes into Hepatocytes - Savannah: Dallas Hunt
Responsiveness of Human Gut-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells to Exogenous Cues as Surrogate Markers of Potency
Clinical
- Atlanta: Olivia Perdue
Exploring the integration of community health worker and pharmacy curricula: a fusion for the future. - Columbus: Brittany Hawkins, BS, MS-2
Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis at the Interface of Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Their Dermatological Comorbidities - Macon: Cuyler Thomas Morris
Beyond the Biopsy: Genetic Testing as a Diagnostic Lifeline in Community Medicine - Savannah: Ujwal Modi
“From Scan to Plan”: Improving Inpatient Recognition and Discharge Planning After Incidental Imaging of Hepatic Steatosis
Epidemiology
- Columbus: Julia Stager, BS; Mackenzie Morgan, BS
Paging Dr. Teddy: A Longitudinal Study of Medical Play to Improve Pediatric Healthcare Perceptions - Macon: Katarina Amelchenko, B.S., Hannah Jackson, B.S., Nicole Nelson, M.S., B.S
Analysis of the differences in perception of human and companion pet vaccines - Savannah (tie):
Janiah Ryans
Integrating Doulas into Maternal Healthcare Teams for Management of Gestational Diabetes in Rural Georgia
Celia Sada
Improving Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates at a Family Medicine Clinic: Quality Improvement
Medical Education
- Columbus: Jared Boldt, Grant Stapleton, Jeffery Radcliff, Emily Bacallao, Maddison Montgomery, Allie Dishman
Street Medicine in Action: Developing a Sustainable Student-Led Outreach Program for the Unhoused in Columbus, Georgia - Macon: Madison Martin, B.S.
Developing a Toolkit for Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI): Enhancing Patient and Provider Education in Rural Georgia - Savannah: Benjamin Hand, Maggie McFather, Aneri Patel
National Perspectives from Clinical Ethicists and Bioethicists on the Implementation and Use of NRP/taNRP
Thank you to our event sponsor:
