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The 2025 Kenneth A. Suarez (KAS) Research Day on ɫ������’s Downers Grove Campus drew record participation on Friday, May 2nd, as 219 student-led posters filled Cardinal Hall. The event, named in honor of the late Dr. Kenneth A. Suarez, served as a showcase of the University’s dedication to scientific inquiry, interdisciplinary collaboration, and hands-on learning.

Combined with the Glendale Campus’ KAS Research Day held in April, nearly 500 student research posters were presented across both campuses this year, marking a new milestone in ɫ������’s ongoing commitment to academic research.

In addition to traditional poster presentations, the day included verbal presentations and a rapid-fire session, offering students even more ways to share their work and sharpen their presentation skills.

“The KAS Research Day is part of the very fiber of our University,” said Dr. Kathleen H. Goeppinger, President and CEO of ɫ������. “It reflects our commitment to One Health, celebrates the mentorship of our faculty, and showcases how our students are embracing research as essential to becoming well-rounded healthcare professionals.”

Students Highlight the Power of Research for Professional Development

For many students, participating in research provides valuable insight into the real-world applications of classroom learning and helps them build skills essential for their future healthcare careers.

“Research taught me just how much hard work goes into data analysis and attention to detail, but it’s also incredibly rewarding,” said Bessem Ashu (CGS-Downers Grove MABS ’25). “Completing this project built my confidence and even improved how I approach my classes. I want to become a dentist, and working in the lab helped develop my manual dexterity, which is essential in dentistry.” 

Other students echoed similar takeaways, noting how the research process sharpened their critical thinking and deepened their engagement with science. “Designing and running our own experiment taught me how important it is to stay curious and up to date with evolving science. As a future physician, it’s essential to think critically and interpret findings on my own,” said Michael Ghuneim (CCOM ’27).

For Elisa Paul (CCOM ’27), who earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, the chance to apply her academic knowledge in a real lab setting was both exciting and enriching. “This research allowed me to take what I’ve learned in class and see it come to life,” she said. “It made everything I’m studying feel not only more relevant but also more impactful.” The experience also helped her build critical professional skills and deepened her passion for research. “I’ve never worked in a lab at this level before, and it gave me the confidence to continue pursuing research throughout my career, whether that’s investigating drug therapies, exploring cancer pathways, or tackling other clinical challenges,” she added. 

Speakers Underscore One Health and Research Connection

This year’s keynote speaker, Michelle Funk, D.V.M., M.P.H., spoke on “Combating Antimicrobial Resistance: One Health and Public Health Approach.” As Medical Director of Healthcare and Congregate Settings within the Disease Control Bureau of the Chicago Department of Public Health, Dr. Funk highlighted how integrated strategies across human and veterinary medicine are essential for managing infectious diseases in high-risk environments.

Additionally, Midwestern faculty member, Gina Agostini-Walesch, Ph.D., Assistant Research Professor at the College of Dental Medicine–AZ (CDMA), served as a cross-campus guest speaker and presented “Research in Three Dimensions.” She highlighted how advanced tools like micro-CT scanning and 3D printing are transforming dental and skeletal research across species.

Tradition of Academic Excellence and Discovery

Launched in 2002 by Dr. Kenneth A. Suarez, a long-serving leader in the University’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP), the annual event continues to promote a culture of research and academic excellence. This vision lives on in the ever-growing number of student participants and the expanding scope of interdisciplinary research.

KAS Research Day Outstanding Poster Presentation Winners

Presenting authors are italicized.

Chicago College of Optometry

• Associations Between Higher-Order Visual Processing and Neurocognitive Functions in Medical Graduate Students
  Nasim Khan, Rawan Herfy, Riya Patel, Samantha Rice O.D., Clinton Prestwich O.D. FAAO, Karen Kehbein O.D. FAAO FCOVD, Ari Chakraborty Ph.D. MPhil FAAO
• Tints Have No Effect on Visual Habituation in Migraineurs
  Merin Kodenkandeth M.A., Sarah Goy, Taylor Ho, Safah Ahmed, Adrienne Quan O.D.

Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

• Influence of G2019S Knock-In LRRK2 Mutation on Motor Function, Skeletal Muscle Fiber, and Neuromuscular Junction in Parkinson’s Disease
  Patrick Keefe, Isabel Martinez-Pena y Valenzuela Ph.D.
• Novel Therapeutic Actions of LSD1 Inhibition for Chronic Pain in Sickle Cell Disease
  Ravi Amin, Amanda Rhee, Brian Zanotti, Ying He, Ph.D.
• Exploring the Effect of a SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeler Dual ATPase Inhibitor BRM014 in ATR Activation and the Expression of DNA Repair Factors in Osteosarcoma Cells
  Elisa Paul, Peter Alfano, Federico Rocha M.B.S., Megan Kendall, Marit Lyon, Uma Ramakrishnan, Elisha Pendleton M.S., Renier Velez-Cruz Ph.D.
• Sorted and Single Intestinal Stem Cells (ISCs) Display Robust Region Specific Differences in Epithelial Renewal and Mitochondrial Metabolism
  Naomi Rajesh M.A., Aasem Awwad M.A., Syed Ahmed, Ester Nikolla, Sinju Sundaresan Ph.D.
• Effects of IP3 Agonists on IP3R2-Mediated Ca2+ Signaling in Atrial Myocytes from Wild Type Mouse
  Sarah Abu Kamal, Karyn DiNovo, Carmen Valdivia M.D., Rafael Mejia-Alvarez M.D. Ph.D.
• The Early Detection of Parkinson’s Disease using iPad App-based Eye Tracking
  Erin Zou, Jamie Koerner M.S., Jessica Karl Ph.D., PA, Cynthia Poon Ph.D., Leo Verhagen Metman M.D., Ph.D., Charles Sodini Ph.D., Vivienne Sze Ph.D., Thomas Heldt Ph.D, Fabian J David Ph.D.
• Does a Single Bout of High-Intensity Exercise Improve Cognitive Function and Cerebrovascular Response in Adults?
  Marcus Russell, Millie Sun, Brady Antolick, Ester Nikolla, Christopher Johnson M.B.S., Francesca Bonello, Judy Ball M.S. CCC-SLP, A.J. Rosenberg Ph.D., Christian Evans PT Ph.D.
• Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Left Frontal Eye Field Induces Compounding Neuroplastic Changes in Convergence Eye Movements
  Daniel Kaufman, Vishrut Gupta, Emily Max, Kenna Decker, Matthew Graessle, Andrew Zellner, Ari Chakraborty Ph.D. MPhil FAAO, Adrienne Quan O.D.
• A Rare Case of Congenital Hiatal Hernia in Female Cadaver & Its Clinical Implications
  Katherine Derouin, Grace Dollia, Jieun Kim Ph.D.
• Deceptive Disguise: A Case of VZV Meningitis Unmasking Neurological and Vascular Chaos
  Ishani Patel, Rahul Maini, Mary Grace Phelan, Vishak Vinod DO, Wardah Zoha DO, Shahnaz Azad M.D.

College of Dental Medicine-Illinois

• Impact of StellaLife VEGA Oral Rinse on Porphyromonas gingivalis Growth
  Mahsa Elyasi, Nastaran Foughani D.D.S., Julia Moore, Ellen Kohlmeir Ph.D., Kristina Martinez-Guryn Ph.D. RD
• Content Validity of Virtual Patient-Based Learning Platform for TMD Education
  Elizabeth Manning M.A., Sahar Mirfarsi D.D.S., Oral Medicine Specialist, Craig Miller D.M.D., Orofacial Pain Specialist, Linda Sangalli D.D.S. M.S., Ph.D.
• Effects of Low-Dose Naltrexone on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells
  Erica Sanford, Sahar Kazmi M.A., Zaid Rammaha, Linda Sangalli D.D.S. M.S. Ph.D., Cai Roberts Ph.D., Feng Gao D.M.D. M.S.D.
• Effects of High pH Water on Resin Composite's BPA Release
  Nikita Marathe, Stephen Suchy, Kaveh Adel D.D.S., Marcela Rocha de Oliveira Carrilho D.D.S. Ph.D., Feng Gao D.M.D. M.S.D.

College of Graduate Studies, Downers Grove Campus

• Impact of Polyphenols on Signaling Pathways in Glioblastoma
  Bhavana Agnihotram, Iris Mutiu, Candice Mazewski Ph.D.
• Alzheimer’s Disease Genotype Increases Maternal Anxiety-like Behaviors, Impairing Maternal Care Behaviors during the Postnatal Period
  Sophia Parpala, Mallica Cary, Edith Ramirez, Thuy Le, Desiree Kathryn Batangan, Stacy Kujawa, Andrew Hawkey Ph.D., Alesia Prakapenka Ph.D.
• Neurobehavioral Toxicity of PFAS: Mixture Effects and Attenuation by Lipopolysaccharide in Developing Artemia franciscana
  Desiree Kathryn Batangan, Edmond Haddad, Melissa Haque, Matthew Pytynia, Vaibhav Tiwari Ph.D., Andrew Hawkey Ph.D.

College of Health Sciences, Downers Grove Campus

• Impact of an Educational Workshop on Occupational Therapy Students' Perceptions of People with Experiences of Addiction
  Averie Robertson, Bianca Chapa, Samantha Dooley, Jillian Paguiligan
• Occupational Therapy in Pediatric Primary Care
  Kati Waalk, Jordan Jacobs, Kelsey Pearson, Divya Sood O.T.D. OTR/L

College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove

• Evaluating Pharmacy and Optometry Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Related to Medical Error Disclosure
  Diego Rosso Gonzalez, Nikesh Kumar, Alexis Flamburis, Jennifer Mazan Pharm.D., Lisa Palmisano Pharm.D. BCACP, Ana Quinones-Boex Ph.D. M.S.
• Tolerance of Direct Cefazolin Use in Penicillin Allergic Patients with Moderate-to High-Risk for a Drug Allergy Reaction
  Mariam Isa, Sara Alsawi, Sheila Wang Pharm.D. BCPS BCIDP, Michael Dickens Pharm.D.
• Evaluation of Meropenem Pharmacokinetics in Critically Ill Pediatric Population
  Sylwia Marianski Pharm.D., Victor Amajor Pharm.D., Amanda Bwint B.S., Anna Sharova M.P.H., Justin Shiau Pharm.D., Nathaniel Rhodes Pharm.D. M.S. BCPS, Kevin Downes M.D., Marc Scheetz Pharm.D. M.SC

Graduate Medical Education

• Uncommon Cause of Acute Leg Pain in a High School Athlete: A Case Report of Popliteal Artery Pseudoaneurysm Causing Lower Leg Ischemia
  Alissa Nesterenko D.O., M.S., Elizabeth Santucci D.O., Addison Gepfert (1st Place)
• Lemmel Syndrome
  Ryan M. Brooks D.O., Roger Rozzi D.O., Minh Hoang M.D. (2nd Place)
• Drainage to Dilemma: A Complex Journey Through Pancreatic Pseudocyst Necrosis and  Pancreatico-enteric Fistulizations
  Varshita Goduguchinta D.O., Hardeep Ahdi DO, Mohammed Arfeen D..O, Zohair Ahmed M.D., Komlan Guedze M.D. (3rd Place)
• The Virus Lurking in Plain Sight: A Case of CMV Pneumonia in a Complicated AIDS Patient
  Kyle Szarzynski M.D., Amir Abusharif D.O., Maryam Sana M.D., Saiprithvi Parvataneni M.D., Maya Francis M.D., Keval Patel M.D. (4th place)