by Jennifer Kowalewski

Medical students and staff alike will have a chance to see what their peers are working on at the fourth annual Research Day to be held Friday, Sept. 30.

“What we’re doing is highlighting research from medical students at OU-COM and the CORE as well as faculty,” says Chris Knisely, director of grant development at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

On the bricks at Irvine Hall from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., students and faculty will be on hand to discuss their research projects.

Research Day is open to faculty receiving OU-COM financial support and students participating in the summer research fellowship program, says Jack Blazyk, Ph.D., associate dean for research and grants. Although the mix of students and faculty change from year-to-year, the day continues to recognize the achievements of the participants, and the importance of medical research, especially to first- and second-year students.

“Research Day gives our faculty and students the chance to display their accomplishments and share their enthusiasm for their research projects in an informal setting,” Blazyk says. “There is a student poster competition and an award for the best student research project. Also, the discussions that take place during the session often lead to new ideas and collaborations.”

A $200 prize is given to the project deemed best at Research Day. 

Gillian Ice, Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of social medicine, is chairwoman of the Research and Scholarly Affairs Committee, which judges the student projects.

“Some students participate in lab-based research, others clinical research and some conduct field research abroad with faculty mentors,” Ice says. “Research day affords them an opportunity to show their hard work to peers and the faculty of the college.”

Students are judged on eight main categories: innovativeness, organization, clarity, technical soundness, importance, understanding, creativity and overall impact.

“As for faculty, although most of us present our research at national and international conferences, we often do not get to share research ideas or findings with local colleagues,” Ice says. “Research Day is an opportunity for faculty and students to learn more about what kind of research projects are being conducted at the college and affords an opportunity to stimulate new research ideas and collaborations across departments and colleges at the university.”

And Research Day emphasizes one of the key priorities of Ohio University President Roderick McDavis, Ph.D., Knisely says, which is to elevate the university into the rank of nationally prominent research institutions. OU-COM, McDavis has said on several occasions, plays a central role in achieving that success.