MU-WCOM Research Day
Join us for the much-anticipated MU-WCOM Research Day, an annual tradition at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµAPK Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine for our student doctors to step into the spotlight and unveil their research projects. The event is a lively exchange of ideas, engaging conversations, and is a unique opportunity to network with peers, faculty, and the greater MU-WCOM community.
Our esteemed MU-WCOM Faculty are not only there to mentor and converse but also to judge the presentations. Excellence doesn't go unnoticed; the most innovative and impactful presentations will be celebrated and honored for their outstanding research.
is more than an event; it's a testament to the curiosity, dedication, and brilliance of our medical students. Join us and be part of the discovery! If you’d like a glimpse into what our most insightful and thought-provoking students presented last year, check out some of the 2024 award-winning presentations below:
For questions, please contact MU-COMsgaresearch@marian.edu.

Award Winners from 2024 10th Annual MU-WCOM Research Day
Best Poster Presentation Award – First Place
"Examining the impact of the Chlamydia muridarum-induced synthesis of IFN-β during genital tract infection"
Presented by Iliana C. Cordova Mendez, OMS-2, (Additional authors: Derrick Burgess, Ramesh Kumar, Wilbert A. Derbigny, Ph.D.)
Best Poster Presentation Award – Second Place
"SIV Infection Decreases α-Klotho in Choroid Plexus of Rhesus Macaques"
Presented by Mitchell Keeling, OMS-2, (Additional authors: Andrew MacLean, Ph.D., Elizabeth Delery, Ph.D.)
Best Oral Presentation Award – First Place
"Exploration of Vaccine Hesitancy in a Medical Student Population"
Presented by Risha Mehta, OMS-2, (Additional author: Catherine E. Steding, Ph.D.)
Check on Flickr.
Meet the MU-WCOM Student Research Committee

Dive into the dynamic world of research at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµAPK Tom and Julie Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine with the MU-WCOM Student Research Committee.
Led by the Student Government Association (SGA) Research Executive, the committee is formed with a blend of expertise and passion. Representing Clinical, Laboratory, Financial, and Media Chairs, our transitioning second-year medical students bring fresh insights. And they're joined by experienced third and fourth-year Representative Chairs, often our previous Student Research Committee Presidents or SGA Research Executives.
What unites this talented team? A shared mission: to open doors to research opportunities, foster collaboration, and create an inspiring environment that thrives on student engagement and innovation.
Who we are:
- President and SGA Research Executive: Jillian Niceley, OMS-2
- Clinical Research Chair: Ellie Carlson, OMS-2
- Laboratory Research Chair: Hannah O'Leary, OMS-2
- Financial Chair: , OMS-2
- Media Chair: Ellie Monger, OMS-2
- OMS-3 Chair: Megan Reyes, OMS-3
- OMS-4 Chair: Hannah Lou, OMS-4
What we do:
- MU-WCOM Research Day: A spotlight event celebrating student research.
- Facilitating Opportunities: Connecting students with clinical and laboratory research experiences.
- MU-WCOM Summer Journal Club: A social group that fosters intellectual exploration.
- Student Research Support: Identifying conferences and mentoring budding researchers.
- Travel Funds Allocation: Empowering students to present their work on prestigious platforms.
Whether you're an aspiring researcher or a seasoned scholar, the MU-WCOM Student Research Committee is here to support and inspire your journey through medical research.
Want to be a part of the MU-WCOM Student Research Committee?
Applications for the MU-WCOM Student Research Committee chair positions will be held annually through elections in February. This is an excellent opportunity to get involved and obtain a leadership role within the MU-WCOM Student Research Committee.