A.T. Still Research Institute

17th Annual Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Symposium (IBRS)

On Saturday, November 15, 2025, the 17th annual Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Symposium took place at the Kirksville, Missouri campus, successfully integrating both in-person and virtual elements.

Embracing the theme "Research Innovation in Action," the symposium focused on driving advancements in biomedical knowledge and enhancing global well-being. The event was hosted by the A.T. Still Research Institute (ATSRI).

The symposium featured Dr. Jeffrey C. Winer, MD, MA, MSHS, MHIIM, FAAP, as the keynote speaker. Dr. Winer is the Chief Medical Informatics Officer at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, known for integrating clinical expertise, data science, and health informatics to advance healthcare.

The IBRS brought together researchers, students, faculty, alumni, residents, and staff from 20 different institutions. A total of 230 individuals checked in for the event (186 in person and 44 online), with 313 total registrations.

The occasion showcased 122 poster presentations and 6 oral presentations (3 in person and 3 virtually), highlighting the breadth of research across the disciplines. We were also supported by 41 judges (21 in person, 20 online) and 10 volunteers.

Congratulations to Our 2025 Winners

MAOPS 1st Place Overall Student Competition Winner

• Poster presenter: Nicholas Noyce (Still OPTI)
• Author: Nicholas Noyce (Still OPTI), Brock Davis (Still OPTI), David Cleaver (Still OPTI)
• Project: When Cancer Changes Costume: The importance of full body skin checks

MAOPS Rising Star Student Competition Winner

• Poster Presenter: Sydney Christopherson (A.T. Still University)
• Author: Sydney Christopherson (A.T. Still University)
• Sponsor: Pinak Shah (Mountain View Hospital)
• Project: An Undiagnosed Case of Persistent Leukocytosis and Multisystem Involvement

Jack Magruder Research Award

• Poster Presenter: Dagmawit Kebede (Truman State University)
• Author: Bill Miller (A.T. Still University), Haleluya Merga (Truman State University), Makda Gebreegziabher (Truman State University), Arsema Woldeamanuel (Truman State University)
• Sponsor: Bill Miller (A.T. Still University)
• Project: Allosteric inhibition of MMP-9 in silico as a potential cancer therapeutic

Neil J. Sargentini Memorial Award

• Poster Presenter: Sydney Christopherson (A.T. Still University) Ashley Quintana (A.T. Still University)
• Author: Sydney Christopherson (A.T. Still University), Ashley Quintana (A.T. Still University)
• Sponsor: Pinak Shah (Mountain View Hospital)
• Project: HRT and Autoimmunity: What We Know and Where Research Must Go.

Max Gutensohn Award

• Poster Presenter: Alan Boruch (Northeast Regional Medical Center)
• Author: Alan Boruch (Northeast Regional Medical Center), Brian Degenhardt (A.T. Still University)
• Sponsor: Brian Degenhardt (A.T. Still University)
• Project: Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy in an Infant with Inclusion Cell Disease

Best Oral Presentation

• Oral presenter: Madison Richards (A.T. Still University)
• Author: Madison Richards (A.T. Still University)
• Sponsor: Karl Jepsen (University of Michigan)
• Project: Reevaluating the cortical fraction

Graduate Case Report

• Poster presenter: Sydney Christopherson (A.T. Still University)
• Author: Sydney Christopherson (A.T. Still University)
• Sponsor: Pinak Shah (Mountain View Hospital)
• Project: An Undiagnosed Case of Persistent Leukocytosis and Multisystem Involvement

MAOPS President Clinical Graduate Student Research Award

• Poster presenter: Ava Thielman (A.T. Still University)
• Author(s): Ava Thielman (A.T. Still University), Lydia Lundquist (A.T. Still University), Brooke Johnson (A.T. Still University), Ahmed Baghdady (Henry Ford Warren- Madison Heights), David Siegel (Henry Ford Warren- Madison Heights)
• Project: A Rare Case Presentation of Merkel Cell Carcinom

On November 16, 2024, researchers gathered on the A.T. Still University Kirksville campus and within our online Gathertown conference center for the 16th Annual Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Symposium (IBRS). With the theme “Cultivating Collaboration – Nurturing the Seeds of Innovation,” this hybrid event brought together over 265 attendees from across the U.S., including students, faculty, and researchers. Highlights included 115 engaging posters and oral presentations, and a keynote by Dr. Chad Cook from Duke University. This vibrant exchange of ideas even caught local news coverage!

Article:
https://ktvo.com/news/local/research-symposium-sparks-collaboration-innovation-at-at-still-university#

Congratulations to our 2024 winners

Overall Student Competition Winner

• Presenter: Madisen Bromfman, Truman State University
• Author: Madisen Bromfman, Truman State University
• Sponsor: Bill Miller, ATSU
• Project: Computational inhibition of the KIX protein to treat acute myeloid leukemia

First Runner Up, Overall Student Competition Winner

• Presenter: Diana Mahmoodi, ASDOH
• Author: Diana Mahmoodi, ASDOH; Tamer El-Gendy, ASDOH; Ahmed Mahrous, ASDOH
• Sponsor: Tamer El-Gendy, ASDOH
• Project: Zirconia Value Discrepancy Post-Sintering Compared to Manufacturer’s value

Jack Magruder Research Award

• Presenter: Christine Chen (Truman State University)
• Author: Christine Chen (Truman State University)
• Sponsor: Bill Miller (A.T. Still University)
• Project: Studying disaggregation effects of polyphenols on Amyloid Beta in silico

Neil J. Sargentini Memorial Award

• Presenter: Ethan Schlegel, KCOM
• Author(s): Ethan Schlegel, KCOM; Keith Elmslie, KCOM; Jeong Sook Kim-Han, KCOM
• Sponsor: Keith Elmslie, KCOM
• Project: Synergistic Enhancement of NaV1.9 Current by Muscle Metabolites

MAOPS President – Chris A. Paynter, DO – Clinical Graduate Student Research Award

• Presenter: Patrick Chan, Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Author(s): Patrick Chan, Kansas COM; Aliasgher Sabir, Kansas COM; Miraj Rawal, Kansas COM; Kevin Ha, Kansas Health Science University; Vaidik Patel, Kansas COM
• Sponsor: Cameron Jeter (Kansas COM)
• Project: Walking With Parkinson's

Max Gutensohn Award

• Presenter: Alan Boruch (NRMC)
• Author(s): Kayla Chomko, NSU Health Neuroscience Institute; Lauren Tabor-Grey, NSU Health Neuroscience Institute; Eduardo Locatelli, NSU Health Neuroscience Institute
• Sponsor: Bruce Young, KCOM
• Project: Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation in Patients with PLS: A Pilot Study

Best Oral Presentation

• Presenter: Hannah Lee, ASDOH
• Author(s): Hannah Lee, ASDOH; Ann Spolarich, ASDOH; Mitzi Wasden, ASDOH; Sara Karlin, ASDOH; Joseph Creech, ASDOH; Stefanie Sotello, ASDOH
• Sponsor: Joseph Creech, ASDOH; Stefanie Sotello, ASDOH; Sara Karlin, ASDOH; Mitzi Wasden, ASDOH; Ann Spolarich, ASDOH
• Project: Computational inhibition of the KIX protein to treat acute myeloid leukemia

On November 11, the 15th annual Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Symposium took place at the Kirksville, Missouri campus, integrating both in-person and virtual elements. Embracing the theme "Reignite the Spark," the symposium focused on nurturing our passion for advancing biomedical knowledge and enhancing the well-being of individuals worldwide. Hosted by the A.T. Still Research Institute (ATSRI), the event featured Dr. Dennis Black from LeBonheur Methodist in Memphis, Tennessee, as the keynote speaker.

The symposium brought together students, faculty, alumni, residents, and staff from ATSU, Still OPTI, Northeast Regional Medical Center, Rocky Vista University, Truman State University, and Kirksville High School. A total of over 170 individuals participated in person or virtually. The occasion showcased 90 oral and poster presentations, with approximately 70 presented in person and 20 virtually. Among them, 82 presentations highlighted the research efforts of over 50 ATSU students, along with contributions from 8 faculty and staff members representing various schools and programs.

Congratulations to our 2023 winners

Overall Student Competition Winner

• Author: Emily Koenig, Erin Silliman (A.T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine Arizona )
• Sponsor: John Hu (A.T. Still University)
• Project: Fatal outcome of pediatric immune thrombocytopenia: an autopsy case report

First Runner Up, Overall Student Competition Winner

• Author: Jillian Smith (RVU/STILL OPTI )
• Sponsor: Ken Ramey (RVU, Still OPTI)
• Project: Effects of Osteopathic Manipulation on Longstanding Peripheral Neuropathy

Jack Magruder Research Award - (undergraduate student award)

• Author: Zoe Vetter (Truman State University)
• Sponsor: Bill Miller (Truman State University)
• Project: Disrupting the KIX/c-Myb complex as a potential leukemia treatment

Neil J. Sargentini Memorial Award - (basic science graduate student award)

• Author: Samantha Akers (A.T. Still University) Sofia Pomeroy (A.T. Still University) Alexis Klinner
• Sponsor: David Middlemas (A.T. Still University)
• Project: Hot plate nociception: Ketamine dose-response relationships at 45ºC

Clinical Graduate Student Research Award

• • Author: Alisha Relan (A.T. Still University)
• Sponsor: Caroline VanSickle (A.T. Still University; Des Moines University)
• Project: The Effects of Age, Sex, and Parturition on Human Bony Pelvic Morphology

Max Gutensohn Award - (resident or post-doctoral fellow award)

• Author: Brock Davis (NRMC/STILL OPTI)
• Sponsor: David Cleaver (Cleaver Dermatology)
• Project: Unique Visual Progression of Palliative Treatment of scalp SCC

Best Oral Presentation

• Author: Jonah Jerabek, Samantha DeLuca (A.T. Still University ) Megan
• Sponsor: Valena Fiscus (A.T. Still University)
• Project: Improving Rural Access to Health with Community Health Needs Assessments