A record number of presenters representing every research program contributed to a day filled with informative discourse and exciting possibilities.

SOURCE: RI-MUHC
August 19, 2024

One of the most anticipated events of the summer, the 2024 RI-MUHC Summer Student Research Day, was held on August 14, 2024. The event offered young trainees a unique platform to present their research findings to peers and members of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) community. For many, this marked their first experience in presenting scientific research and provided vital feedback to help shape their professional development.

This year set a new record, with over 120 student presenters showcasing their research through poster presentations, while 16 were selected for oral presentations in the Cruess Amphitheater. Divided into morning and afternoon sessions, the extraordinary efforts of these aspiring researchers was on full display.

“In 2016, we began with just 14 abstracts and two research programs represented. This year, we broke records with over 140 abstracts and participation from every program,” said Dr. Rhian Touyz, Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer of the RI-MUHC, in her opening remarks. “It is truly remarkable how far this event has come. Thank you to all involved in making this one the highlights of the summer at the RI-MUHC.”

The morning session featured presentations including:

• Adam Mouncef’s work on polymer-stabilized liposomes for cancer immunotherapy from the laboratory of Danuta Radzioch, PhD (Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health (IDIGH) program).
• Emma Levine’s insights into healthcare utilization after colorectal surgery from her work in the laboratory of Julio Fiore Jr., M.Sc., PhD (Surgical and Intervention Sciences (SIS) program).
• Nandini Gupta from the laboratory of Paul Sabatini, PhD (Metabolic Disorders and Complications (MeDiC) program) explored the role of the transcription factor cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) in sensory functions of Agouti-related protein (AgRP)-expressing neurons
• Susan Cai from the laboratory of Maziar Divangahi, PhD (Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases (RESP) program) discussed IFN-g's influence on alveolar macrophages.
• Zia Janmohamed from the laboratory of Marilyn Ahun, PhD (Child Health and Human Development (CHHD) program) reviewed child development factors across Africa
• Rachel Aladeeb from the laboratory of Stella Daskalopoulou, MD, PhD (Cardiovascular Health Across the Lifespan (CHAL) program) shared work on carotid plaque analysis, which brought interesting discussions from audience members.
• Mariana Oliveira from the laboratory of Gabriella Gobbi, MD, PhD (Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience (BRaIN) program) took an interesting look study on psilocybin’s effects on neuropathic pain.
• Sepher Badapour from the laboratory of James Tsui, MD, PhD (Cancer Research (CRP) Program) presented on machine learning research to predict hospital admissions for elderly cancer patients.

The poster presentations also saw record participation. Sebastian Vallinueva, a master’s student at McGill and Polytechnique Montréal, was among the many poster presenters. His work on developing a ChatGPT-powered crisis and suicidal ideation management module for an HIV self-management chatbot exemplifies the intersection of engineering and medicine. “I’m an engineer by trade, not a medical student. This opportunity to work on something impactful and present to the RI-MUHC community is truly unique. People often overlook the synergy between engineering and healthcare, but it’s crucial for both doctors and patients. I’m grateful to share this with my work,” Vallinueva commented.

After lunch, the afternoon session featured more diverse research presentations, including:

• Camille Guertin from the laboratory of Sasha Bernatsky, MD, PhD (IDIGH) explored the link between race/ethnicity and systemic sclerosis.
• Orlando Yuan from the laboratory of Wassim Kassouf, MD (CRP) examined immune-related genes in bladder cancer therapy.
• Theodore Butskhrikidze from the laboratory of Louise Pilote, MD, PhD (CHAL) examined sex differences in social determinants of health in atrial fibrillation.
• Samantha Jacobson from the laboratory of Kaberi Dasgupta, MD, M.Sc (MeDiC) presented insights from the Canadian Diabetes Prevention Program and the NHS.
• Alessandra Granata from the laboratory of Nancy Mayo, PhD (BRaIN) introduced a digital biomarker for motor competency using ankle angular velocity during a vertical jump.
• Sariya Sahussarungi from the laboratory of Gabriel Altit, MDCM, M.Sc (CHHD) shared a study on feasibility of 3D-echocardiography for LV and LA performance and dimensions in newborns.
• Sharmin Zahin from the laboratory of Rahul Gawri, MD, PhD (SIS) discussed priming and differentiating adipose-derived stem cells for tissue engineering applications.
• Elias Jabbour from the laboratory of Jonathon Campbell, PhD (RESP) analyzed cost of tuberculosis-related activities and intervenstions in Brazil, 2023.

RI-MUHC summer students continue to impress with their dedication, creativity, and passion for health research. Congratulations to all participants, supervisors, and colleagues who provided invaluable support and training.

Special thanks to the exceptional efforts by the 2024 Organizing Committee: Emily Bell and Ariel de Roo from the Desjardins Centre for Advanced Training (DCAT), program managers Marie-Claude Gingras (CRP), Inga Murawski (RESP), Lenka Schorova (MeDiC), Alexandra Kindrat (BRaIN), and Anne Mathiot (SIS).