Student Research at SMPH

Research Forum

The Annual Medical Student Research Forum takes place each year on the Monday before Thanksgiving in the Health Science Learning Center from noon to 5 pm. This annual event showcases the research accomplishments of the majority of SMPH students, who conduct research under the mentorship of UW faculty mentors during the summer between their first and second year of medical school. Each year, more than 130 students present their work through podium and poster presentations.

The 24th Annual Medical Student Research Forum was held on November 24, 2025 in the Health Science Learning Center. Congratulations are in order to the winners of the Excellence in Student Research Award:

We would also like to recognize the following podium presenters with an honorable mention for their outstanding oral presentations: Amy Yadev, Madeleine Tabor, Brenen Skalitzky, and Kaniala Aragon.

Schedule:

noon-1 pm. Poster Session. HSLC Atrium.

1:15-2:10 pm. Opening, Welcome, and Guest Lecture. 1306 HSLC

  • Opening Remarks
  • Shapiro Guest Lecture: Elizabeth Burnside, MD, MPH, FACR, Professor, Department of Radiology; Senior Associate Dean, School of Medicine and Public Health; Executive Co-Director, Institute of Clinical Translational Science

2:15-4 pm. Student Podium Presentation Sessions. (All sessions run concurrently):

  • Session A: 1306 HSLC
    Facilitator: Robert Striker, MD, PhD
    MSTP Co-Facilitator: Rodrigo Montoro
  • Session B: 1325 HSLC
    Facilitator: Meghan Lubner, MD, FSAR, FACR
    MSTP Co-Facilitator: Mariza Francis
  • Session C: 1335 HSLC
    Facilitator: Michael Pulia, MD, PhD
    MSTP Co-Facilitator: Eleanna Melcher
  • Session D: 1345 HSLC
    Facilitator: Vera Tsenkova, PhD
    MSTP Co-Facilitator: John Shuster

4 – 5 pm. Poster Session and Reception. HSLC Atrium.

Research Forum 2025

Information for Shapiro students:

  • The Atrium houses the poster sessions and the big classrooms around the Atrium (HSLC 1306, 1325, 1335, and 1345) house the podium presentations in 4 concurrent oral sessions. There will be 40  slots awarded for podium presentations across the 4 rooms, and everyone else will present a poster in the Atrium. All M1s and M2s are expected to attend.
  • As a Shapiro student, you are required to participate in the Research Forum, either by presenting a poster in the Atrium or giving a talk (“podium presentation”). Please note that the podium presentations are competitively selected and if you are not selected for a podium presentation, you are expected to present a poster. When you submit your abstract (due by September 9), you will be able to indicate if you would like to be considered for a podium presentation.
  • At the session: Research Forum and How to Write an Abstract (pdf – NetID required / lecture-NetID required), Vera reviewed process of applying for a podium slot vs. poster presentation, the scoring criteria, etc.

Click here to read more about past Research Forums.