Alphabetical List of Student Presenters 

Please click on the name of the student to be taken to the appropriate session.  
Their abstract summary can be accessed by clicking on the title of their research.

The Association between RLS and Depression, and the Effect of Dopamine Agonists on the Clinical Course of Depression among Patients with RLS
Mentor:   Will Heise, MD
Affiliation:  Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix
Presentation topic:  Mental Health & Neurology


Industry Payment Landscape of Pediatric Urologists Compared to Other Urologists
Mentor:   Gwen Grimsby, MD
Affiliation: Phoenix Children's Hospital
Presentation topic:  OBGYN & Pediatrics

Examining the Relationship Between Social Determinants of Health and Obesity Status at a Federally Qualified Health Center
Mentor:   Shahrzad Saririan, MD
Affiliation:  Wesley Community & Health Centers
Presentation topic:  Primary Care & Public Health

Predictors of Abnormal Renal Ultrasonography in Children with  Urinary Tract Infection
Mentor:   Shane Rainey, DO
Affiliation: Banner Desert Medical Center
Presentation topic:  OBGYN & Pediatrics

Trends in Emergency Department Utilization for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Mentor:   Nichole Mahnert, MD
Affiliation:  Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix
Presentation Topic: OBGYN & Pediatrics

A Pilot Study to Assess the Feasibility of a Penicillin Allergy De-Labeling Protocol  Utilizing Amoxicillin Oral Challenge in an Emergency Department at a Tertiary Hospital
Mentor:   Jordan Merz, MD
Affiliation:  Phoenix Children's Hospital
Presentation Topic:    Toxicology & Trauma/Emergency Care

The Effect of Methadone and Buprenorphine Induced QT Prolongation on Inpatient Mortality
Mentor:   Will Heise, MD
Affiliation:  Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Toxicology & Trauma/Emergency Care

Disparities in Medicare Coverage of Speech Therapy for Post Laryngectomy Cancer Patients
Mentor:  Gary Walker, MD
Affiliation:  Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center
Presentation Topic:  Cancer & Radiology

Exploring Vascular Disease as an Alzheimer’s Disease Risk Factor Using Pulse Pressure and White Matter Hyperintensities
Mentor:  Michael Malek-Ahmadi , PhD
Affiliation: Banner Alzheimer's Institute
Presentation Topic: Mental Health & Neurology

Emergency Free School Meal Distribution During the COVID-19 Pandemic in High- Poverty Urban Settings
Mentor:   Punam Ohri-Vachaspati, PhD
Affiliation:  Arizona State University
Presentation Topic: Primary Care & Public Health

Training General Pediatric Physicians in Diagnosing and Managing Autism  Symptoms
Mentor:  Todd Levine, MD
Affiliation:  Phoenix Children's Hospital
Presentation Topic:  OBGYN & Pediatrics

Validation of the RBD Symptom Severity Scale (RBDSSS) in the North American Prodromal Synucleinopathy (NAPS) Consortium
Mentor:  Joyce K Lee-Iannotti , MD
Affiliation:  Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Mental Health & Neurology

Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Among Ventilated Patients does not Increase In-Hospital Mortality Whereas Covid-19 Infection Increases Mortality Near Four-Fold in Ventilated Patients
Mentor:   Mehrnoosh Hashemzadeh, Ph.D  
Affiliation:  University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
Presentation Topic:  Adult & Hospital Medicine

HIV Status and Social Determinants of Health
Mentor:  Jesselyn Gaona, MD
Affiliation:  Wesley Community & Health Centers
Presentation Topic:  Primary Care & Public Health

Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Transgender Veterans Undergoing  Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy
Mentor:  Ricardo Correa, MD
Affiliation:  Phoenix VA Healthcare System
Presentation Topic:  Primary Care & Public Health

Using Peer to Peer Communication to Ease the Spread of a Virus on the Navajo Nation
Mentor:  John Molina, MD, JD
Affiliation:  University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Primary Care & Public Health

Wearable Robotic Resistance Training Improves Neuromuscular Control and Gait Mechanics in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Mentor:   Zachary F. Lerner, PhD
Affiliation:  Northern Arizona University
Presentation Topic:  OBGYN & Pediatrics

Evaluating the Quality of Medical Missions via Published Resources
Mentor:   David Beyda, MD
Affiliation:  University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Primary Care & Public Health

Is Fear of Burnout a Good Reason to Avoid a Career in Surgery for  Female Medical Students?
Mentor:   Natasha Keric, MD
Affiliation:  Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix
Presentation Topic:   Orthopedics & Surgery

Barriers to Care and Healthcare Utilization of Indigenous Individuals in the Southwest
Mentor:  Gina Mercer-Touch, PhD
Affiliation: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Presentation Topic: Primary Care & Public Health

Maternal Assessment of Breastfeeding Barriers: Analysis of the Arizona PRAMS 2020
Mentor:   Mandy Boltz MD
Affiliation:  Wesley Community & Health Centers
Presentation Topic:  OBGYN & Pediatrics

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pulmonary Embolism Subtype Prevalence
Mentor:  David Guttman, MD
Affiliation:  HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center
Presentation Topic: Adult & Hospital Medicine

Adverse Childhood Experiences & the Cost of Obstetric Care
Mentor:   Linda Chambliss, MD
Affiliation:  Valleywise Health Medical Center
Presentation Topic: OBGYN & Pediatrics

Etiologies of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Children Presenting to a Tertiary Care Setting
Mentor:  Sanjay Shah, MD
Affiliation:  Phoenix Children's Hospital
Presentation Topic:  OBGYN & Pediatrics

Development of Novel Extracellular Vesicle-Based  Transcriptomic Markers for Detection of Pancreatic Cancer
Mentor:  Haiyong Han, PhD
Affiliation:  Translational Genomics Research Institute
Presentation Topic:   Cancer & Radiology

Navigating the Transition: Impact of USMLE Step 1 Scoring System Change on Timing  and Preparation Strategies among Medical Students at the UACOMP
Mentor:   Jeremi D. Smith, EdD
Affiliation:  University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Basic Science & Medical Education

Outcomes and Demographics of Minority Patients Undergoing CAR T-cell Therapy
Mentor:  Javier Munoz, MD
Affiliation:  Mayo Clinic
Presentation Topic:   Cancer & Radiology

Breast Reduction Improves Quality of Life in Adolescent Women with Macromastia
Mentor:   Nicole Kurnik, MD
Affiliation:  Phoenix Children's Hospital
Presentation Topic:  OBGYN & Pediatrics

The Presence of Pneumonia Is Strongly Associated With Higher Prevalence of Non- ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Using a Large NIS Database
Mentor:  Mehrnoosh Hashemzadeh, PhD
Affiliation:  University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
Presentation Topic:   Adult & Hospital Medicine

Evaluation of Second Esmarch Application on Intravenous Regional Anesthesia Effectiveness
Mentor:   Tolga Turker, MD
Affiliation:  Banner - University Medical Center South Campus
Presentation Topic:  Orthopedics & Surgery

Patient-Specific Simulation of Blood Flow in Coarctation of the Aorta Using Computational Fluid Dynamics and Cardiac CT or MR Imaging
Mentor:   Dianna M. Bardo, MD
Affiliation:  Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Presentation Topic:  Cancer & Radiology

Screening for Modifiable Lifestyle Factors in the Primary Care Setting to Reduce Dementia Risk
Mentor:   Paul E. Bendheim, MD
Affiliation:  St. Joseph's Hospital & Medical Center                  
Presentation Topic: Primary Care & Public Health

Microscale Electrophysiological Functional Connectivity in  Human Cortico-Basal Ganglia Network
Mentor:  Bradley Greger, PhD
Affiliation:  Arizona State University
Presentation Topic:  Mental Health & Neurology

Commercial versus Government-Funded Insurance as a Determinant of Patient  Continuity in Primary Care
Mentor:  Jacob S. Anderson, DO
Affiliation: Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix
Presentation Topic: Primary Care & Public Health

Transcriptomic Analysis Identifies Key Focal Adhesion and Integrin Pathways Involved in Myofibroblast  Differentiation in Liver Fibrosis
Affiliation:  University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Dermatology & Graduate Student Research

Social Determinants of Health and their Influence on Lower Extremity  Amputation in Adults with Diabetes
Mentor:   Will Heise, MD
Affiliation:  Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix
Presentation Topic:   Adult & Hospital Medicine

Identifying Missed Cases of Serotonin Syndrome: A Novel EHR Search Method
Mentor:  Will Heise, MD
Affiliation:  Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Toxicology & Trauma/Emergency Care

Risk Factors for COVID-19 in Psychiatry
Mentor:  Srinivas Dannaram, MD
Affiliation:  Banner - Thunderbird Medical Center
Presentation Topic:  Mental Health & Neurology

Fractures in the Setting of Constriction Band Syndrome: A Case Series
Mentor:  Melissa Esparza, MD
Affiliation:  Phoenix Children's Hospital
Presentation Topic:  Orthopedics & Surgery

Acute Appendicitis During, Before and After the Initial COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown: A Single- Center Review in Arizona
Mentor:  Zola Trotter, MD
Affiliation: Valleywise Health Medical Center
Presentation Topic:   Orthopedics & Surgery

Disparities in Treatment of Endometriosis and Chronic Pelvic Pain in  Reproductive-Age Females
Mentor:   Nichole Mahnert, MD
Affiliation:  Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  OBGYN & Pediatrics

Serum Lactate as a Prognostic Indicator of Injury Severity in Pediatric Trauma Patients: A Decade Long Review
Mentor:   Shailesh Khettarpal, MD
Affiliation:  Arizona Children's Center at Maricopa Medical Center
Presentation Topic:  OBGYN & Pediatrics

A Comparative Analysis of the Risk of Decompression Sickness with respect to Dive Profile and Associated Dive Depth, Ascent Rate, Dive Era, and Inspired Gas Composition
Mentor:  Ernest Lee, MD
Affiliation: Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System
Presentation Topic: Toxicology & Trauma/Emergency Care

Evaluation of CYP2C19 Phenotype Impact on Sertraline Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder
Mentor:  Will Heise, MD
Affiliation: Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix
Presentation Topic:   Toxicology & Trauma/Emergency Care

Predictors of ICU “Bounceback” in Chest Wall Trauma
Mentor:   Alan Cook, MD
Affiliation:  The University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center
Presentation Topic:   Adult & Hospital Medicine

Baricitinib in Cutaneous Lichen Planus: Phase 2 Trial Results with Dose Escalation
Mentor:  Aaron Mangold, MD
Affiliation:  Mayo Clinic
Presentation Topic:    Dermatology & Graduate Student Research

Cerebrospinal Fluid Markers Indicating Systemic Progression in Patients with  Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis
Mentor:   Peter Nakaji, MD
Affiliation:  Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix
Presentation Topic:   Cancer & Radiology

Head Trauma as Donor Cause of Death Has Increased Graft Rejection Among  Liver Transplant Recipients
Mentor:  Michael Fallon, MD
Affiliation:  Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Orthopedics & Surgery

Development of a Point-of-Care Paper-based Capillary-driven Vertical Flow Immunoassay for the Detection of Radiation Dosimetry Proteins
Affiliation:  University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
 Presentation Topic:  Dermatology & Graduate Student Research

Lower Extremity Injuries Predominate in American High School  Tennis Players: a 4-year Epidemiologic Study
Mentor:   Matthew T. Neal, MD
Affiliation:  Mayo Clinic
Presentation Topic:  Orthopedics & Surgery

Abnormal CYP2D6 Phenotypes are More prevalent in those with Treatment Resistant Depression
Mentor:  Will Heise, MD
Affiliation:  Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix
Presentation Topic:   Mental Health & Neurology

Comparing Matriculation Rate by Majors in Medical Admissions
Mentor:   David Beyda, MD
Affiliation:  University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Basic Science & Medical Education

Athletes’ Preparedness for Medical School
Mentor:  Dude Coudret, EdD
Affiliation:  University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Basic Science & Medical Education

Medical Students’ Self-Efficacy During the Clerkship Curriculum
Mentor:   Jeremi Smith, EdD
Affiliation:  University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Presentation Topic:   Basic Science & Medical Education

Burnout Rates in Clinical Radiation Oncology and Variations Across Professional Subgroups
Mentor:   Gary Walker, MD
Affiliation:  Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center
Presentation Topic:  Cancer & Radiology

Characterizing Endometrial Cancer Disease Burden Among Hispanic and Native American Patients at A Single  Academic Tertiary-Care Facility (2016-2021)
Mentor:  Melissa Herbst-Kralovetz, PhD
Affiliation:  University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Presentation Topic:   Cancer & Radiology

Major Depression is not Associated with Higher Rates of Myocardial Infarction Using a Large Inpatient Database
Mentor:  Mehrnoosh Hashemzadeh, PhD
Affiliation:  University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Presentation Topic:   Adult & Hospital Medicine

Complete Pediatric Laryngotracheal Separation Following Blunt  Clothesline Injury: A Case Report
Mentor:   Will Heise, MD
Affiliation:  Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix
Presentation Topic:   Toxicology & Trauma/Emergency Care

Necrolytic Migratory Erythema: A Case Report
Mentor:  Lindsay Ackerman, MD
Affiliation:  Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Dermatology & Graduate Student Research

A Needs Assessment to Determine Residents, Academic Faculty, and Community Providers’ Confidence in Managing Common Pediatric Mental Health Concerns
Mentor:   Kristen Samaddar, MD
Affiliation: Phoenix Children's Hospital
Presentation Topic:  OBGYN & Pediatrics

Contributing Factors Leading to Adolescent/Teen Intentional Overdose
Mentor:  Will Heise, MD
Affiliation:  Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Toxicology & Trauma/Emergency Care

Improving Enteral Feeding Practices and Human Milk Consumption in Multiple  NICUs: A Quality Improvement Project
Mentor:  Navin  Bhopal, MD
Affiliation:  Phoenix Children's Hospital
Presentation Topic:  OBGYN & Pediatrics

Tonsillectomy and COVID-19: A Comprehensive Exploration of Immune  Dynamics and Infection Risk
Mentor:  Mehrnoosh Hashemzadeh, PhD
Affiliation:   University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Adult & Hospital Medicine

Artificial Intelligence as a Treatment Outcome of Feminization  Laryngoplasty in the Care of Transgender Patients
Mentor:  James P. Thomas, MD
Affiliation:  Providence Portland Medical Center
Presentation Topic:  Orthopedics & Surgery

Minimum 5-Year Results of Long-Term Mehta Casting and Bracing:  The Story Isn’t Over until Skeletal Maturity
Mentor:   Noelle Larson, MD
Affiliation:  Mayo Clinic
Presentation Topic:  Orthopedics & Surgery

Varicella Zoster Infection Manifesting as Shingles is not Independently Associated with Ischemic nor Hemorrhagic Stroke Using the Large Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database.
Mentor:  Mehrnoosh Hashemzadeh, PhD
Affiliation: University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson
Presentation Topic:  Adult & Hospital Medicine

Improving Refugee Women’s Health Literacy
Mentor:  Shahrzad Saririan, MD,
Affiliation: Wesley Community & Health Centers
Presentation Topic:  Primary Care & Public Health

Adherence To Standardized Guidelines Improves Control Of Vomiting In Pediatric Patients with Cancer
Mentor:  Alexandra Walsh, MD
Affiliation: Phoenix Children's Hospital
Presentation Topic:  OBGYN & Pediatrics

Executive Function Enhancement through Assisted Cycle Therapy (ACT) in  Children with Down Syndrome
Mentor:  Shannon Ringenbach, PhD,
Affiliation: Arizona State University
Presentation Topic:  OBGYN & Pediatrics

Incorporating 3D Models of Congenital Cardiac Abnormalities into Medical Education  Improves Understanding of Cardiac Pathology
Mentor:  Elise Barney, DO
Affiliation: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Basic Science & Medical Education

Bacterial Pathogens in Periprosthetic Joint Infections
Mentor:  Alex Mclaren, MD
Affiliation: Arizona State University
Presentation Topic:  Orthopedics & Surgery

Allosteric Activation of the ERK MAPK by β-arrestin
Mentor:  Robert Lefkowitz, MD
Affiliation: Duke Department of Medicine
Presentation Topic:  Basic Science & Medical Education

Histone Deacetylase Expression in Pre-Clinical Alzheimer’s disease: An ADNI Study
Mentor: Michael Malek-Ahmadi, PhD
Affiliation: Banner Alzheimer’s Institute
Presentation Topic:  Basic Science & Medical Education

Exploring the Gut Microbiome in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Via the International MS Microbiome Study (iMSMS)
Mentor:  Sergio Baranzini, Ph.D
Affiliation: University of California, San Francisco
Presentation Topic:  Mental Health & Neurology

Exploring the Association between Renal Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma: A Comprehensive Analysis Using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database
Mentor:  Mehrnoosh Hashemzadeh, PhD
Affiliation: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
Presentation Topic:  Cancer & Radiology

The Impact of Endovascular Simulator Training on Simulated Procedural Performance,  Knowledge Acquisition, and Perceptions of IR among Medical Students
Mentor:  Christopher Goettl, MD
Affiliation: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Basic Science & Medical Education

Evaluating Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Education in MD and PharmD Training Programs at  The University of Arizona: Seeking Improvement
Mentor:  Hirsch Handmaker, MD
Affiliation: The CACTIS Foundation
Presentation Topic:  Basic Science & Medical Education

Traumatic Brain Injury Screening and Demographics as Predictors  of Domestic Violence Shelter Length of Stay
Mentor:  Jonathan Lifshitz, PhD
Affiliation: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Primary Care & Public Health

Very Low Risk for In-hospital Adverse Outcome Such as ST-elevation or Non- ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction in Patients Undergoing Knee Surgery
Mentor:  Mohammad Reza Movahed, MD, PhD
Affiliation: ​Tucson VA Medical Center
Presentation Topic:  Orthopedics & Surgery

In Vivo Brain Imaging of Fluorescently Labeled  Compounds to Assess Pharmacokinetics in Rodents
Mentor: Jonathan Lifshitz, PhD
Affiliation: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Basic Science & Medical Education

Cancer Incidence in Transgender Veterans Undergoing  Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy
Mentor:  Ricardo Correa, MD
Affiliation: Phoenix VA Healthcare System
Presentation Topic:  Cancer & Radiology

Comparison of Clerkship Structure and Timing on NBME Subject Exam  Performance
Mentor:  Christina Bergin, MD
Affiliation: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Basic Science & Medical Education

Women with breast implant have higher positive cardiac testing leading to higher utilization of coronary angiography despite lower presence of coronary disease
Mentor:  Mohammad Reza Movahed, MD, PhD
Affiliation: Tucson VA Medical Center
Presentation Topic:  Adult & Hospital Medicine

An Alternative to Bexarotene in Treating Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas
Mentor:  Peter Jurutka, PhD
Affiliation: Arizona State University
Presentation Topic:  Dermatology & Graduate Student Research

A Sun Safety and Skin Cancer Education Program for  High-Risk Pediatric Transplant Patients and their Providers
Mentor:  Judith O’Haver, PhD
Affiliation: Phoenix Children's Hospital
Presentation Topic:  OBGYN & Pediatrics

Effects of Remdesivir Post Hospitalization on Long-Term Outcomes of COVID-19 Infection
Mentor:  Harvey Hsu, MD
Affiliation: Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Adult & Hospital Medicine

Anatomy Exam Performance: Virtual versus Dissection-Based Learning Among First Year Medical Students
Mentor:  Evan Garofalo, PhD
Affiliation: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Basic Science & Medical Education

Adverse Childhood Experiences Resources: Electronic vs Traditional Paper Handouts
Mentor:  Angela Valdez-Huizar, MD
Affiliation: Phoenix Children's Hospital
Presentation Topic:  OBGYN & Pediatrics

Prevalence of Hip Dysplasia in Patients with Cerebral Palsy at Phoenix Children’s  Hospital: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Mentor:  Mohan Belthur, MD
Affiliation: Phoenix Children's Hospital
Presentation Topic:  OBGYN & Pediatrics

The Presence of Preoperative Bacteremia and its Impact on  Surgical Appendectomy Outcomes
Mentor:  Hahn Soe-Lin, MD
Affiliation: St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
Presentation Topic:  Orthopedics & Surgery

Recent Trends in Asian American Mental Health
Affiliation: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Mental Health & Neurology

Disproportionate Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Native  American Population in the United States
Mentor:  Farshad Fani Marvasti, MD
Affiliation: Honorhealth Integrative Medicine
Presentation Topic:  Primary Care & Public Health

Impact of Palliative Care Consults on COVID-19 Patients in the Intensive Care Unit
Mentor:  Brandon Gardner , MD
Affiliation: Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix
Presentation Topic:  Adult & Hospital Medicine