Digital Commons Network^™

A Case Study Of Anencephaly: Diagnosis, Management And Maternal-Fetal Outcome, Emily Reagin, Allison Tresner, Daniel York

Research Day

Introduction: Anencephaly is a severe neural tube defect resulting from failure of anterior neuropore closure during the fourth week of embryonic development. It is characterized by the absence of the cranial vault and cerebral hemispheres and is associated with uniformly poor fetal prognosis. Folate deficiency is the most established risk factor, and periconceptional folic acid supplementation significantly reduces the incidence of neural tube defects.

Case Presentation: We present a case of a 32-year-old gravida 6 para 5 female who was found to have an abnormal cranium on routine second-trimester ultrasonography. She came in on her first obstetrics appointment at 12 …

Vulvar Angiomyofibroblastoma: A Rare Tumor Excised During Vaginal Delivery, Anjali Saji, Allison Tresner

Research Day

Introduction

Angiomyofibroblastoma (AMFB) is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor of the lower female genital tract that predominantly affects women of reproductive age. AMFB, which was initially identified by Fletcher et al. in 1992, often develops in the vulva, however it has also been documented in the vagina and perineum. Clinically, it usually manifests as a tiny (less than 5 cm), well-circumscribed, slow-growing, painless vulvar mass. It is commonly misinterpreted as a benign labial lesion, such as a cyst of the Bartholin gland. Histologically, AMFB shows a distinct growth of bland spindle to epithelioid stromal cells encircling numerous thin-walled blood vessels …

Severe Bladder Trabeculation With Large Diverticulum And Calculi In A Male Cadaver: Gross Findings And Etiological Considerations, Jaycee Thomas, Gladys Sama, Leilani Everett, Colin Ramsey, Joshua Rohme, Zenia Lakhani, Paramvir Lodia, Shiv Dhiman

Research Day

Background:

Chronic lower urinary tract dysfunction can lead to progressive structural remodeling of the urinary bladder, such as detrusor hypertrophy and mucosal trabeculation. Bladder diverticula, defined as mucosal outpouching through the detrusor muscle, may develop in response to sustained elevations in intravesical pressure or impaired bladder emptying. These diverticula facilitate urinary stasis and increase the risk of complications, including infection, calculi formation, urinary retention, and, less frequently, malignant transformation. Identification of gross anatomic changes offers important insights into the long-term sequelae of chronic bladder dysfunction.

Methods:

Routine pelvic dissection was conducted during anatomical laboratory instruction. Gross examination of the urinary …

Analysis Of Burn Patient Treatment At Verified Versus Non-Designated Centers Across U.S. Regions, Patrice Sarrazin, Mark Shearer, Sydnee Jackson, Setareh Khani, Rajiv Sood

Research Day

Background

In the United States, burn injuries represent a significant health issue that requires specialized care to treat the patient efficiently. The American Burn Association (ABA) provides burn center verification to ensure adherence to efficient standards of care and attention to the quality of care. However, there is an uncertainty whether or not verified burn centers receive a proportionally greater share of burn-related claims volume across U.S. regions. This study examines regional variation in burn claims distribution between verified burn centers and non-designated centers to assess potential disparities in utilization based on burn claims data.

Study Design

We analyzed national …

Anomalous Origin And Retrohepatic Course Of The Right Inferior Phrenic Artery Identified During Cadaveric Dissection, Tyrese Claridge-Rogers, Dev Desai, Andrew Jimenez, Maxwell Trettin, Yousra Abo-Elhamd, Camille Rios Anzola, Emranul Huq

Research Day

INTRODUCTION:

Arterial variation within the upper abdominal cavity is a common finding in anatomical studies. The inferior phrenic arteries are the principal vascular supply to the diaphragm and most frequently originate directly from the abdominal aorta. However, alternative origins from the celiac trunk or its branches have been described. Because of their proximity to major hepato-biliary surgical fields, unexpected variations in these vessels may complicate operative dissection. The present study documents an unusual origin and course of the right inferior phrenic artery identified during routine cadaveric dissection.

METHODS:

This study was conducted during systematic abdominal dissection in a gross anatomy …

A Rare Abdominal Vasculature Variation: Replaced Common Hepatic Artery From The Superior Mesenteric Artery, Dev Desai, Tyrese Claridge-Rogers, Andrew Jimenez, Maxwell Trettin, Yousra Abo-Elhamd, Camille Rios Anzola, Emranul Huq

Research Day

INTRODUCTION: Anatomical variations of the abdominal arterial system are of considerable importance in clinical anatomy due to their impact on hepatobiliary surgery, pancreatic resections and liver transplantation. The common hepatic artery classically arises from the celiac trunk (CT); however, documented variations may significantly alter surgical planning and procedural risk. The purpose of this project was to identify, document, and describe variants in the abdominal arterial system.

METHODS: This project was conducted during systematic abdominal dissection in a medical gross anatomy laboratory. Standard dissection techniques were utilized to expose the CT,  superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and associated branches. Anatomical relationships were …

When Red Isn’T Red: Skin Tone, Education Gaps, And Delayed Diagnosis, Evelyn O. Orusa, Blessed D. Jordan, David Adelstein

Research Day

Background: Early recognition of many dermatologic and systemic conditions including infectious exanthems and inflammatory disorders rely on identification of erythema. Traditional medical textbooks predominantly describe these findings using redness-based terminology derived from lighter skin presentations. In darker skin tones, however, inflammation may present as violaceous, gray, or hyperpigmented changes rather than visible redness. The extent to which textbook descriptions align with real-world clinical presentation across skin tones remains insufficiently examined. This study aims to evaluate how widely used medical textbooks describe erythema-dependent conditions and compare these descriptions with clinical images of confirmed diagnoses across lighter and darker skin tones.

Methods: …

Teaching In Monochrome: Skin Tone Bias In Medical Training Resources- A Scoping Review, Evelyn O. Orusa, Blessed D. Jordan, David Adelstein

Research Day

Background: Medical training resources demonstrate substantial under-representation of darker skin tones across textbooks, curricula, and educational materials globally. This representational gap may contribute to reduced diagnostic confidence among healthcare providers when assessing patients with diverse skin tones.

Objective: To evaluate the adequacy of skin diversity representation in medical training resources and assess its relationship to healthcare provider diagnostic confidence across different skin tones.

Methods: A review of studies examining skin diversity representation in medical education and provider confidence in diagnosing conditions across varied skin tones. Studies will be identified through comprehensive database searches, including PubMed and Cochrane, and screened for …

Routine Or Reassurance: Cardiovascular Monitoring In Children Receiving Adhd Medications, Dina Badawy, Wilson Baumgartner, Alexandra Ortiz, Alexandria Neal, Anthony Pelache, Robert Maydell

Research Day

Introduction: Stimulant medications are first-line therapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. Because these agents increase sympathetic activity, concerns persist regarding their cardiovascular safety, including arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Debate continues regarding whether routine electrocardiogram (ECG) screening prior to stimulant initiation reduces the risk of serious cardiac events. Divergent recommendations from professional organizations have generated ongoing uncertainty about the balance between precaution and evidence-based practice. Our objective is to critically evaluate the literature of cardiovascular effects of stimulant therapy in children and adolescents and to assess whether routine cardiovascular monitoring, including universal ECG screening, improves clinical …

Morphogen Upregulation Following Seizure-Induced Oxidative Stress: Implications For Hippocampal Remodeling And Neuronal Survival, Melea Neely, Blessed Jordan, Evelyn Orusa, Joshua Owolabi

Research Day

Introduction: Epileptic seizures arise from abnormal neuronal activity characterized by excessive excitatory signaling and reduced inhibitory control within neural circuits. During seizures, neurons exhibit paroxysmal depolarization shifts, leading to synchronous hyperexcitability and increased glutamate release. Although many seizures do not produce permanent injury, prolonged neuronal hyperactivity, such as status epilepticus or temporal lobe epilepsy, can lead to neuronal death and structural remodeling within the hippocampus. Experimental models demonstrate that seizure activity generates significant oxidative stress and morphological changes within the dentate gyrus, including mossy fiber sprouting, granule cell dispersion, and aberrant neurogenesis. Increasing evidence suggests these changes are mediated by …

Two Decades With Chronic Actinic Granuloma: A Case Report, Neena Edupuganti, Nathan Sagasser, Melinda Greenfield

Research Day

Actinic granuloma (AG), also known as O’Brien’s granuloma, is a rare idiopathic granulomatous dermatosis affecting sun-exposed areas, predominantly in older individuals. It presents as erythematous papules that expand into annular plaques with central atrophy and serpiginous borders. The pathogenesis of AG remains unclear, but it is hypothesized to involve an autoimmune response to actinically damaged elastic fibers. Diagnosis is confirmed through histopathological examination, and treatment options vary widely with inconsistent outcomes. Here, we present a case of an individual with a 20-year history of AG that was refractory to treatment with topical steroids and topical antifungals. This case highlights the …

Sequence Of Target Vessel Revascularization Does Not Affect Outcomes During Endovascular In-Situ Laser Fenestrated Repair Of Complex Aortic Aneurysms, Saad Rahman, Harshita Yepuri, Daniel J. Badia

Research Day

Introduction: Endovascular laser fenestration (LFEN) has emerged as a popular method for thoracoabdominal aneurysm (TAA) repair, but prolonged branch vessel ischemia during graft deployment remains a concern. We compared a conventional proximal-to-distal “top-down” fenestration strategy with a "superior mesenteric artery first” (SMA) approach designed to prioritize visceral perfusion and minimize bowel ischemia.

Methods: We performed a single-center, single-operator retrospective review of two patients undergoing LFEN repair for complex aortic aneurysms using either a “top-down” or “SMA-first” approach. Outcomes included ischemia time, postoperative clinical and laboratory evidence of visceral/renal malperfusion, and procedural metrics such as time to fabric penetration and stent …

Cardiomegaly As A Risk Factor For Hemorrhagic Stroke: A Cadaveric Case Study, Erica L. Parker, Brayton C. Myers, Alexander F. Capello, Grace E. Bang, Anuksha A. Gotmare, Diana Petrucello

Research Day

INTRODUCTION:

This case study examines the gross cardiac morphology of a 66-year-old male with a history of heart disease whose cause of death was hemorrhagic stroke, with emphasis on correlating cardiac structural changes with systemic vascular disease and cerebrovascular outcome.

METHODS:

Gross anatomical dissection of the thoracic cavity was performed. Cardiac measurements included transverse width and thickness ventricular walls. The width of the thoracic cavity was also measured to assess proportional cardiac size. Measurements and photographs were taken to document.

RESULTS:

Gross examination revealed increased ventricular wall thickness relative to expected adult reference ranges, and the myocardium appeared diffusely thickened …

Calvarial Lesions In A Cadaver With Metastatic Osteosarcoma: A Case Study And Differential Diagnoses, Madelyn N. France, Louis G. Deavers, Shelley Dicecco

Research Day

Introduction

This case study aims to investigate suspicious bony lesions on the calvarium of a 22-year-old cadaver whose cause of death was reported to be respiratory failure/metastatic osteosarcoma. Respiratory failure, left total femur replacement, and evidence of metastasis to the lungs raise suspicion for widespread metastatic disease. This case study aims to investigate the observed lesions and review potential differential diagnoses for the bony skull-based lesions observed in this cadaver.

Methods

A right-sided frontotemporal protrusion was identified on examination of the cadaver’s face and head during gross anatomy lab. Further dissection revealed erythematous, thickened bony lesions localized to the right …

Exblifep, A New Antibacterial For The Treatment Of Urinary Tract Infections And Pyelonephritis, Olivia Wilcock, Leonard Clark, Shashidharamurthy Taval, Vicky Mody

Research Day

Antibiotic resistance is an ever-present threat that demands constant innovations in order to treat urinary tract infections and pyelonephritis. Bacteria are known to develop various adaptations in order to evade eradication by antibiotic agents. In this project we have reviewed, Exblifep, one of the newer drugs that have been developed to target resistant bacteria. Exblifep, a combination of cefepime with enmetazobactam. Cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin that contains a cephem nucleus and a side chain with a quaternary amine. It is considered a broad-spectrum antibiotic whose coverage includes most gram-negative bacteria and some gram positives, including MSSA and streptococcus spp. …

Denervation Injuries In The Lower Limbs: A Cadaver-Based Case Study, Gavin G. Scott, Kedarnath Malapati, Rohan S. Patel, Ethan M. Cook, Atharva M. Athalye, Jordan E. Pullins, Mackwan Sringam, Rishab Prakash, Shelley Dicecco

Research Day

INTRODUCTION: Denervation injuries result from an interruption of the neural input necessary for the normal contraction and maintenance of skeletal muscle. Without proper innervation, skeletal muscles atrophy and are replaced by adipose and fibrous tissue. Prolonged denervation can result in gross anatomical changes, such as reduced muscle mass, muscle pallor, and fatty tissue replacement, which are easily observed during dissection of the cadaveric body. This case presents bilateral muscular degeneration of the lower extremities observed in a 98-year-old cadaveric donor.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objectives of this case study are to document the gross anatomical findings associated with chronic denervation in …

Social Power, Moral Inhibition, And Risk-Taking: A Theory-Driven Review Of The Approach–Inhibition Framework, Samantha Loitsch, Ishaa Dubey, Shari N. Allen

Research Day

INTRODUCTION: The approach–inhibition theory of power proposes that perceived social power changes how people tend to process information by increasing approach tendencies (such as reward pursuit and automatic cognition) while decreasing inhibition tendencies (such as threat monitoring and controlled processing). These changes can thereby influence a person’s emotions, thinking, and behavior (Keltner, Gruenfeld, & Anderson, 2003). Extensive meta-analytic work in moral psychology shows that moral disengagement – where individuals justify or minimize harmful actions – is strongly linked to transgressive and antisocial behavior, and that both personal and environmental factors influence this relationship (Luo & Bussey, 2023). This suggests that …

I’M Going To Disney World: Regenerative Injection Therapy(Regenexx) Enabling Functional Recovery In Chronic Ankle Dorsiflexion, Marzena Buzanowska, Kévin Borgella

Research Day

Chronic foot drop, weakness or inability to dorsiflex the ankle and toes. Gait deficits such as this can originate from issues in the motor pathway of the cerebral cortex or from injury to peripheral nerves that innervate the foot musculature. The most common cause is L5 radiculopathy and peroneal nerve injury, but can also include lumbar herniation, spinal stenosis, and degenerative nerve diseases. Physical therapy has been the fundamental means of treating this issue with a focus on muscle strengthening, adjusting gait patterns and engaging the mechanisms of neural plasticity to improve muscle activation. In lieu of these methods, Ankle-foot …

Hepatomegaly In Cadaver Dissection: Clinical Correlations And Preventative Implications, Teralan Hobson-Matthews, Selena Berry, Toby Cisco, Thomas Nguyen, Chloe Phillips, Diana Petrucello

Research Day

Introduction: Hepatomegaly is an objective finding associated with various pathophysiologies. Some of the most common sources of hepatomegaly in the United States include fatty liver and cirrhosis. We performed a routine cadaveric dissection on a 71-year-old truck driver that passed from respiratory failure with a history of tobacco abuse and lung malignancies. During the dissection, the patient was found to have an enlarged liver. This case study explored possible etiologies of the patient's hepatomegaly. This research provided insight into comorbidities and prevention for complex patients like this case.

Methods: Measurements of the liver were obtained in the horizontal, vertical, and …

Dispensing Discovery: A Summer Camp Approach To Pharmacy Recruitment., Mary Wines-Samuelson, Gabriela Cipriano, Ankit Rochani, Ramil Sapinoro, Juliette Miller, Kaylee Schelah, Jill C. Hardy, Christine R. Birnie Phd

Fisher Showcase 2026

No abstract provided.

Innovations In Pharmacy Resident Research To Streamline Preceptor Workload And Improve Publication Rates, Kathryn A. Connor, Nicole M. Acquisto, Jennifer Iuppa Melaragno, Samantha C. Heacock, Stephen Rappaport

Fisher Showcase 2026

Organization: Nine-hospital health system (includes 886-bed academic medical center, 261-bed academic community hospital, 12 outpatient pharmacies, specialty pharmacy program); pharmacy residency program spans 2 hospitals.

Residency Programs: Currently, 5 PGY1 Pharmacy (3 academic medical center, 2 community teaching hospital), 2 PGY1 community-based pharmacy and 7 PGY2 programs in ambulatory care, critical care, emergency medicine, infectious diseases, oncology, pediatrics, and specialty pharmacy administration and leadership.

Pharmacy Research Committee (PRC): Comprised of ~10 clinical pharmacists and local pharmacy school faculty members including 2 co-chairs, research administrative pharmacist, biostatistician, and clinical informatics pharmacist experienced in research methods who meet monthly and otherwise communicate …

Development And Pilot Implementation Of A Generative Ai-Powered Virtual Learning Assistant (Vla) In First-Year Pharm.D. Courses, Vivek S. Dave, Ankit Rochani, Priyanka Bhatt

Fisher Showcase 2026

To develop and implement a generative AI-powered Virtual Learning Assistant (VLA) within foundational Pharm.D. pharmaceutics courses (Pharmaceutics I & II).

Influence Of Background Music On Proton Dose Monitors, Julia Colangeli, Rachel Felder, Nicole Geer, Favour Ihenwe, Shermineh Roodi, Sandra John Baptiste

Research Methods Poster Session 2026

This study examines the effects of background music, particularly varying bass frequencies, on dose monitor accuracy in proton therapy using the Hitachi PROBEAT-FR proton accelerator.

2026 Rocky Mountain Healthcare Symposium Program, Kristen Marshall

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Exploration Of A Relationship Between The Activities Of Trail And 4’-Trifluoromethoxychalcone., Abigail C. Ernst

Undergraduate Theses

Cancer is the overgrowth of dysregulated or mutated cells that affects 1 in 3 Americans. Chalcones are natural products with many possible derivatives, such as 4’-trifluromethoxychalcone (4TF), developed in Dr. Krzysiak’s lab, which exhibit anticancer activity against cancer cell lines. Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) is a tumor surveillance cytokine that acts on two receptor types: death receptors and decoy receptors. One way cancer cells can become resistant to TRAIL is by upregulating decoy receptors and/or downregulating death receptors. In this study, MTS assays evaluated the potential relationship between TRAIL and 4TF that sensitizes A549 cells to TRAIL. The …

Health Professional Education Associations: What Other Professions Teach Us About Building Resources, Community, And Advocacy For Midwifery Educators, Kim Q. Dau, Ms, Cnm

Doctor of Midwifery Advances in Midwifery Projects

In response to a looming health care workforce deficit, several health professions have experienced recent rapid workforce growth. These professions are supported by specialized health professional associations designed to promote educational excellence in the face of rapid growth. In contrast, the midwifery profession does not have dedicated professional organizations to support education programs. The purpose of this study is to better understand the various strategies used by selected health professional education associations and their value to the profession. This can be adapted to promote the growth and excellence of midwifery education in the United States, responding to the need for …

Assessment Of Clinical And Neuroimaging Efficacy Of Treatment Targeting Tau Pathology In Mild Cognitive Impairment And Mild To Moderate Alzheimer’S Disease With Hydromethylthionine Mesylate Using External Control Data, Bjoern O. Schelter, Helen Shiells, Serena Lo, Nafeesa Nazlee, Emily Evans, Peter Bentham, Serge Gauthier, Henrik Zetterberg, Gordon K. Wilcock, Lutz Froelich, Alistair Burns, Emer Macsweeney, Clive Ballard, Jin-Tai Yu, Tay Siew Choon, Vahe Asvatourian, Natalia Muehlemann, Jan Priel, Karin Kook, Tenecia Sullivan, Diane Downie, Sonya Miller, Carol Pringle, John M. D. Storey, Tom Baddeley, Charles R. Harrington, Roger Staff, Anca-Larisa Sandu, Claire Hull, Richard G. Stefanacci, Claude M. Wischik

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Hydromethylthionine mesylate (HMTM) targets tau pathology and also has tau-independent symptomatic activity. A traditional randomised placebo-controlled trial (RCT) was precluded by loss of blinding due to urinary colouration and therapeutic activity at the minimum dose required to maintain blinding.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of HMTM in participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODS: Because a traditional RCT was not feasible without loss of blinding, we compared HMTM 16 mg/day in TRx-237-039 with propensity score matched true placebo controls from the FDA-sponsored Critical Path for AD (CPAD) database with …

The Effect Of A Low-Glycemic Index Diet On Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Symptoms Among University-Aged Women, Angelika A. Gonzalez, Annalise M. Sankar, Noelle D. Nguyen

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is an endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age and is associated with insulin resistance, menstrual irregularities, hyperandrogenism, and metabolic dysfunction. Dietary modifications targeting glycemic response have emerged as a nonpharmacologic approach for PCOS management. However, long-term randomized controlled trials targeting young adult populations remain limited.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate long-term effects of adherence to a low-glycemic index diet on the frequency and severity of PCOS symptoms among female college students ages 18-22. This 12-month randomized controlled trial will recruit participants meeting the Rotterdam criteria from university health clinics. Participants will be randomly …

Effects Of Probiotic Supplementation On Symptoms In Teenagers Ages 13-18 With Inflammatory Skin Conditions, Katelyn S. Walker, Jessica Rosen, Matilde Belfiore

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 are particularly susceptible to inflammatory skin disorders such as acne vulgaris and atopic dermatitis, which can have a detrimental effect on their physical and mental health. Emerging evidence highlights the importance of the gut-skin axis, indicating that the makeup of the gut microbiota affects both skin health and systemic inflammation. Adolescent-specific research is still limited even though probiotic supplementation, especially Lactobacillus strains, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory, animal, and small clinical studies.

The purpose of this experimental study is to determine whether oral probiotic supplementation improves inflammatory skin condition symptoms in …

Mplus Data For Campus Mental Health Study 2026 - Flourishing Paper, Alice Ann Crandall, Carl L. Hanson

ScholarsArchive Data

MPlus Data file, input file, and output file.