36th Research Symposium 2024

Madhusmita Misra, MD, Department of Pediatrics Chair

On Thursday, May 30, 2024, The Child Health Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, hosted its 36th Annual Research Symposium. The renowned event began with an invigorating keynote lecture by Madhusmita Misra, MD, MPH “My Journey from Bone to the Brain.” Dr. Misra is the Benjamin Armistead Shepherd Professor and Chair of Pediatrics, UVA, Physician-in-Chief, UVA Health Children’s, and Fritz Bradley Talbot and Nathan Bill Talbot Professor of Pediatrics, Emerita, Harvard Medical School. R. Ariel Gomez, MD, Director of the Child Health Research Center (CHRC) gave the introduction and welcoming remarks.

This year we had our First Annual “REACH” scholars “Researchers Engaging Adolescents in Child Health” attend the Research Symposium. Two of the local high schools were contacted to recruit students for the program. This sublime program was developed to engage local high school students’ interest in Pediatric research.

Subsequent to the keynote lecture, all attendees were ushered to the UVA Battle Building main lobby, for the presentation of the posters and competition.  The poster session & competition are used to display the progressive research of trainees and faculty. The top three scholars recognized in the poster competition were Jesus Neyra (1st place), Binjie Xue, and Lucas F. Almeida in a tie for 2nd place. As well Amanda Lulu’s poster was recognized for Most Impactful and Christian Roig-Laboy’s for Most Innovative.

Maria Luisa S. Sequeira-Lopez, MD, Harrison Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics was this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner for her numerous contributions to the world of Nephrology research and her contributions to the UVA community.

Following the poster session was the Awards Ceremony, this event assembled a packed house of faculty members, trainees, and friends to honor the accomplishments of individuals in Pediatric research. Maria Luisa S. Sequeira-Lopez, MD, Harrison Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics was this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner for her numerous contributions to the world of Nephrology research and her contributions to the UVA community. The award was presented by W. Gerald Teague, MD, Associate Director Child Health Research Center. Also recognized during the awards ceremony were some of our exceptional trainees. Kelsey Sullivan, Kendig Award winner, and Sage Timberline the Hiroko Nishimura Award winner. Moreover, Maria Marlicz, Hiroki Yamaguchi, and Manako Yamaguchi, winners of the Research Day Trainee Competition held on May 17th, presented their work. To conclude the day’s festivities the participants were invited to a small group discussion with Dr. Misra “Making the Most of Mentorship and Sponsorship in your Research Career” to detail future aspirations in Pediatric research.

Our prestigious event was featured on the local news, please see the link provided below.

https://www.29news.com/2024/05/30/child-health-research-center-hosts-36th-annual-research-symposium/?outputType=amp