Annual Research Forum Reimagined

The College’s Research Forum, our yearly exposition of student-led research, went virtual for 2021. While we missed the energy of the College community exchanging ideas together on campus, the new format allowed for out-of-town supports to join in the celebration of our students’ hard work and for more one-on-one interaction.

On March 17, nine BSPS students, sixteen P4 PharmD students, and twenty-nine pharmacy residents had their own individual room, where visitors could drop in to learn about everything from oncology to pharmacy practice.  

“Similar to other annual research forums, the breadth and depth of science presented this year was exceptional. Our students truly are the leaders and best,” says Vicki Ellingrod, PharmD, senior associate dean and John Gideon Searle Professor of Pharmacy. “Additionally, since we were not constrained in our physical space, being able to welcome poster presentations from our U-M Pharmacy residents as part of this event was a nice advantage to the use of our virtual format. Every presenter was fully engaged with our virtual attendees which in many cases surpassed the number of zoom interfaces one could fit on their computer screens.” 

Typically held in a large ballroom on campus, the event attendees are limited to College faculty, students, and staff due to room capacity. This year family, friends, faculty, preceptors, staff, and students were all invited to join in the celebration. Another benefit – all the students were not simultaneously presenting their posters next to each other in a noisy room.

“This format was really awesome and this was so well organized,” says Lydia Benitiz Colon, PharmD, clinical assistant professor of pharmacy and clinical pharmacist, Michigan Medicine. “I really like the opportunity to see posters versus in-person where it’s a lot harder to review everything that is there.”

“This meeting is one of the best ways to really see how good our students are and how they can take on challenging projects knowledgeably and professionally,” adds Greg Amidon, PhD, research professor of pharmaceutical sciences.

Eleven students were nominated for the Kristen L. McGlone Research Award, which recognizes exceptional student-led research within the College. The award, named in memory of Kristen McGlone, PharmD’06, was established by her family, friends, and classmates.

Winners of the Kristen L. McGlone Research Award were:

• Michelle Azar, “Pharmacists bridging the gap between oncology and primary care” advised by Dr. Amy Thompson
• Hannah Hammoud, “Development of a Pediatric Biopharmaceutical Classification System” advised by Dr. Varsha Mehta
• Ryan Larson, “Vancomycin Dosing in Hepatic Cirrhosis Patients: Use Doses-Less when Hepatic Duress?” advised by Dr. Randy Regal
• Audrey Yeiter, “Evaluating the implementation of premedications prior to pegaspargase infusions in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients” advised by Dr. Julia Brown

Congratulations to the award winners and thank you to all who presented, attended, and helped make our 2021 Research Forum event a success. If you were unable to participate in this year’s event or would like to look back at the research posters, please visit the archived virtual poster site.