Research Day

Erythroid-specific hexokinase isoform plays a critical role in red blood cell development and metabolism
Md Abdur Rahman Apu
Research Mentor: Hossein Ardehali, MD, PhD
Research Topic: Metabolic
 

Human/AI collaboration pipeline for thematic analysis: Example of VR-supported pulmonary rehabilitation
Yunbing Bai
Research Mentor: Joseph Finkelstein, MD, PhD
Research Topic: Device Development
 

Psychosocial impacts of skin disease in older adults
Sebastian Beller
Research Mentor: Daniel C. Butler, MD
Research Topic: Public Health
 

Precision cardiac immunology: Unlocking integrated disease understanding for biologic therapeutics targeting the immune system in chronic ischemic heart failure
Daniel Benson
Research Mentor: Steven Goldman, MD
Research Topic: Biomedical Engineering
 

Molecular consequences of mechanical forces on epithelial cells in the asthmatic airway
Kayleigh B. Fox
Research Mentor: Julie Ledford, PhD
Research Topic: Biomedical Engineering
 

Loss of tumor chromosome Y after treatment is associated with poor patient outcomes
Robin Black
Research Mentor: Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD
Research Topic: Cancer
 

How does autonomic arousal mediate memory?
Cameron Bolles
Research Mentor: Katalin M. Gothard, MD, PhD
Research Topic: Neurology
 

Impact of a text message health behavior intervention on patient-reported outcomes among cancer survivors and caregivers: A secondary analysis
Thomas Brower
Research Mentor: Rina Fox, PhD, MPH
Research Topic: Cancer
 

Evaluating the effects on the mechanical properties of skeletal muscle tissue in mice following Volumetric Muscle Loss (VML) injury and treatmnet
Colton Buchanan
Research Mentor: Steven Goldman, MD
Research Topic: Biomedical Engineering
 

Noncanonical role of ALAS1 as a heme-independent regulator of mitochondrial function
Ke Cai
Research Mentor: Hossein Ardehali, MD, PhD
Research Topic: Metabolic
 

Allele-specific regulation of vascular smooth muscle gene expression and apoptosis by the blood pressure-associated SNP rs217727
Daniel Chrisenberry
Research Mentor: Mingyu Liang, MB, PhD
Research Topic: Vascular Disease
 

Post-transplant bendamustine more effectively mitigates xenogeneic acute GVHD and extends survival compared to post-transplant cyclophosphamide
Megan Cracchiolo 
Research Mentor: Emmanuel Katsanis, MD
Research Topic: Cancer
 

The relationship between attentional variability and emotional variability in a sleep deprivation paradigm
Keanu Crawshaw
Research Mentor: William D. "Scott" Killgore, PhD
Research Topic: Sleep
 

Early prediction of bladder cancer using machine learning and transformer models on real-world data
Wanting Cui
Research Mentor: Joseph Finkelstein, MD, PhD, FAMIA, FACMI
Research Topic: Cancer
 

hSC-islets maintain their viability and function when shipped using gas-permeable silicone rubber membrane vessels
Carola Davila
Research Mentor: Klearchos K Papas, PhD
Research Topic: Diabetes
 

Do depression screeners function differently in the context of chronic pain?
Jennifer S. De La Rosa, PhD
Research Topic: Pain
 

Do somatic symptoms bias depression screening? Reliability and equivalence of PHQ8 in those with and without chronic pain: A nationally representative study of U.S. adults
Jennifer S. De La Rosa, PhD
Research Topic: Pain
 

Fecal products from 1-month-old infants at increased risk of asthma promote lung inflammation through a novel B cell/IL-17/neutrophil axis
Avery DeVries
Research Mentor: Donata Vercelli, MD
Research Topic: Asthma and Immunology

Immunomodulatory effects of cell payload patch in a murine model of volumetric muscle loss
Sophia DiPonio
Research Mentor: Steven Goldman, MD
Research Topic: Heart
 

Nudging the SHH for pediatric “chemo-brain” therapy
Keren-Happuch Alfreda Dodoo
Research Mentor: 
Research Topic: Neurology
 

Ceramide synthases regulate myristate-induced intestinal ER stress and lipid metabolism
Chelsea Doll
Research Mentor: Ashley Snider, PhD
Research Topic: GI Tract

Successful cardiac surgery in a patient with hemophilia A on emicizumab using bolus-based factor VIII replacement
David Effio Vizcarra, BS
Research Mentor: Toshinobu Kazui, MD, PhD
Research Topic: Heart
 

Loss of acid ceramidase in macrophages alleviates chronic colitis
Keila Espinoza
Research Mentor: Ashley Snider, PhD
Research Topic: GI Tract

Acute hypoxic effects on antibody-producing ADC26.2 cell line
Nathan Fielder
Research Topic: Metabolic
 

Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist usage associated with lower nonunion rate in tibial shaft fractures: A large database retrospective study
Josh Finesilver
Research Topic: Orthopedics
 

Impact of intraoperative oxygen delivery on postoperative acute kidney injury after CABG surgery
Amir A. Gaber
Research Mentor: Toshinobu Kazui, MD, PhD
Research Topic: Heart
 

Assessing candidate proteins identified by quantitative proteomics for a role in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake
Jocelyn Gerken
Research Mentor: Paul R. Langlais, PhD
Research Topic: Diabetes
 

Plain language with patients with disabilities – An ongoing educational platform
Jeffrey Greenfield
Research Mentor: Julie S. Armin, PhD
Research Topic: Medical Education
 

Oxygen delivery to cells within implanted immunoisolating encapsulation devices increases cell slab thickness and cell number per unit surface area
Hannah Hagen
Research Mentor: Klearchos K Papas, PhD
Research Topic: Biomedical Engineering
 

Regulation of metabolic pathways in the brain through alteration of native hexokinase
Andrea Hamilton
Research Mentor: Hossein Ardehali, MD, PhD
Research Topic: Metabolic
 

Stroke characteristics, management, and outcomes in patients with nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis: A systematic review
Ehab Harahsheh
Research Mentor: 
Research Topic: Neurology
 

Clinical and biomarker data utilized in machine learning more accurately predict postoperative mortality in older adults undergoing emergency general surgery
Luis A Helfer
Research Mentor: Tanya Anand, MD, MPH, FACS
Research Topic: Surgery - Trauma
 

Double true umbilical cord knot with a good fetal outcome: A case report
Alana Hendrickson
Research Mentor: Colleen K. Cagno, MD
Research Topic: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Impact of an advanced life support (ALS) first response on patients with primary impression of chest pain
Thomas Hunt
Research Mentor: Joshua B. Gaither, MD, FACEP, FAEMS
Research Topic: Emergency Medicine

Early prediction of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias using machine learning and claims data
Xingyue Huo
Research Mentor: Joseph Finkelstein, MD, PhD, FAMIA, FACMI
Research Topic: Cancer
 

Expanding cervical cancer screening for unhoused individuals through mobile HPV self-collection
Dina J. Inzunza
Research Mentor: Anna Morenz, MD
Research Topic: Public Health
 

ABCB8 plays a role in lysosome processing and mitochondrial iron homeostasis
Khushboo Irshad
Research Mentor: Hossein Ardehali, MD, PhD
Research Topic: Metabolic
 

Stimulating Gut Regeneration via PEAR1
Kate Johnson
Research Mentor: Curtis Thorne, PhD
Research Topic: GI Tract

More than just a number: Impact of age on the post-injury metabolome and traumatic endotheliopathy
Srisaianirudh Reddy Julakanti
Research Mentor: Tanya Anand, MD, MPH, FACS
Research Topic: Surgery - Trauma
 

Oxygen-enabled, high-capacity, open encapsulation devices implanted subcutaneously vascularized and reversed diabetes in immunodeficient rats
Amy Kelly
Research Mentor: Klearchos K Papas, PhD
Research Topic: Biomedical Engineering
 

Improved diagnostic discrimination of thyroid nodules: Combined TI-RADS and shear wave elastography
Kaneez Zahra Rubab Khakwani
Research Mentor: Hina Arif-Tiwari, MD, FSAR
Research Topic: Imaging/Radiology
 

The ANCHOR Biorepository (ACSR) (the central biorepository for the ANCHOR study)
Vanessa Lynette Kipers
Research Mentor: Monika Schmelz, PhD
Research Topic: Biorepository

Multilevel reverse posterior column osteotomies for correction of fixed severe lumbar hyperlordosis: A case report and technique
Jude Kolodisner
Research Mentor: Abduljabbar Alhammoud, MD
Research Topic: Orthopedics
 

University of Arizona medical student bridge program: Do performance outcomes indicate appropriate student recruitment?
Samuel Kraus
Research Mentor: Raquel H. Givens, PhD
Research Topic: Medical Education
 

The Comparative Pathology Core Laboratory
Melanie Kueny
Research Mentor: Monika Schmelz, PhD
Research Topic: Histology/ Services

Nuclear functions of hexokinase 1: Role beyond glycolysis
Priya Kunhiraman
Research Mentor: Hossein Ardehali, MD, PhD
Research Topic: Metabolic
 

Biologic therapy promotes in vitro muscle repair following volumetric muscle loss injury
Eli Lefkowitz
Research Mentor: Steven Goldman, MD
Research Topic: Heart

Inflammatory biomarkers and social determinants of healing in diabetic foot ulcers among underserved populations
Autumn Lester
Research Mentor: Kellen Chen, PhD
Research Topic: Diabetes
 

The impact of SP-A deficiency on epithelial cell responses to influenza A virus
Julia Li
Research Mentor: Julie Ledford, PhD
Research Topic: Infectious Disease/COVID-19
 

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction in older adults undergoing cardiac surgery: Predictors, confounders, and emerging risk mitigation strategies
Fiona Liyanage
Research Mentor: Jordan Karp, MD
Research Topic: Psychiatry
 

Translation of myocardial repair technology to skeletal muscle via non-tissue-specific mechanisms
Joaquin Enrique Lopez Rosales
Research Mentor: Steven Goldman, MD
Research Topic: Surgery - Trauma
 

The role of TWIST1 and GATA2 in disrupted differentiation in prostate cancer
Carina Magdaleno
Research Mentor: Cynthia Miranti, PhD
Research Topic: Cancer
 

Natural language processing for prediction of patient-reported outcomes in spinal cord stimulation
Theresa Medina
Research Mentor: Julie G. Pilitsis, MD, PhD, MBA
Research Topic: Neurosurgery
 

Audiometric and vestibular outcomes in individuals with enlarged vestibular aqueduct
Leila C. Moore
Research Mentor: Megan Kobel, PhD, AuD, CCC-A
Research Topic: Vestibular Audiology

Incidence of arrhythmia in patients with and without diabetic ketoacidosis
Emilie No, DO
Research Mentor: Michael Seckeler, MD, MSc
Research Topic: Heart
 

Yucatan mini swine model of persistent atrial fibrillation
Deirdre O'Donnell
Research Mentor: Steven Goldman, MD
Research Topic: Heart
 

Hexokinase 1 contributes to the polarization of bone marrow-derived macrophages into M2-like phenotype
Wataru Ohwada
Research Mentor: Hossein Ardehali, MD, PhD
Research Topic: Immunology

Addressing gaps in HIV and bacterial STI prevention training: An educational intervention for internal medicine residents
Aarjav Pandya
Research Mentor: Danielle deMontigny Avila, MD and Kristopher J. Abbate, MD, FAAP
Research Topic: Medical Education
 

The nude rat is capable of mounting a strong fibrotic response against subcutaneously implanted, cell-free encapsulation devices
Kelly Marie Pasowisty
Research Mentor: Klearchos K Papas, PhD
Research Topic: Biomedical Engineering
 

Early outcomes after traumatic cervical spinal cord injury in older adults: A systematic review of operative and nonoperative management
Bhavik Rajaboina
Research Mentor: Peter Du, MD
Research Topic: Orthopedics
 

Characterizing components of a disability navigation program for refugees in Pima County
Srishti Rajeev
Research Mentor: Sommer Aldulaimi, MD, FAAFP, Suzanne Teeple, JD, Julie S. Armin, PhD
Research Topic: Public Health
 

Support for tuberculosis care beyond medical treatment: Insights from patients
Mary Carmen Reid
Research Mentor: Keith Joiner, MD, MPH
Research Topic: Public Health
 

Pacing platform for a reproducible large-animal model of persistent atrial fibrillation
Jesse Riemenschneider
Research Mentor: Steven Goldman, MD
Research Topic: Device Development
 

Microtubule hyperacetylation as a mechanism of insulin resistance
Mary Catherine Roa
Research Mentor: Paul R. Langlais, PhD
Research Topic: Diabetes
 

Spinal cord stimulation in adult spinal deformity is associated with increased health care utilization and higher subsequent fusion rates: A propensity-matched analysis
Matthew Scarsbrook
Research Mentor: Abduljabbar Alhammoud, MD
Research Topic: Orthopedics
 

Analysis of neurosurgical patients at risk for postoperative naloxone administration
Manlin Shao
Research Mentor: Julie G. Pilitsis, MD, PhD, MBA
Research Topic: Neurosurgery
 

β-caryophyllene reduces morphine reward via the adenosine A2A receptor
Hager 
Research Mentor: John M. Streicher, PhD
Research Topic: Pharmacology, Pain, Addiction Medicine
 

Surgical management and reconstruction patterns in elderly T1 breast cancer patients: A 2022 NCDB analysis
Kyra Singh
Research Mentor: Ivy Stejskal, DO
Research Topic: Surgical Interventions
 

Hysterotomy impairs long-term mechanical integrity of uterine tissue
Sophie Singh
Research Mentor: Carlos Zgheib, PhD, MS
Research Topic: Women's Health
 

Diabetes meets neuroinflammation: Microglial remodeling in the brain
Aiya Tawakkol
Research Mentor: Shaowen Bao, PhD 
Research Topic: Diabetes
 

Standardizing surgical skill assessment with artificial intelligence: Development of an AI-compatible OSATS framework for cardiac suturing
Jaime Toomer
Research Mentor: Eungjoo Lee, PhD
Research Topic: Other
Artificial Intelligence

Development and validation of a rodent model of chronic heart failure for translational assessment of novel therapeutics
Allison Tulino
Research Mentor: Steven Goldman, MD
Research Topic: Heart
 

Is pocket pain still a major issue in spinal cord stimulation?
AnneLeigh Twer
Research Mentor: Julie G. Pilitsis, MD, PhD, MBA
Research Topic: Neurosurgery
 

D1R and D4R antagonist effects on oscillatory potentials during light adaptation using ex vivo ERGs after six weeks of diabetes
David Umbertus
Research Mentor: Erika D. Eggers, PhD
Research Topic: Diabetes
 

Elucidating the role of SEMA5B in renal cell carcinoma
Dylan Wong
Research Mentor: Anirban Kundu, PhD
Research Topic: Cancer
 

Association between epigenetic age acceleration and retrospective reproductive outcomes in women firefighters
Audrey R. Yang, MPH
Research Mentor: Melissa Furlong, PhD
Research Topic: Women's Health
 

Outcomes in hospitalized patients with congenital heart disease and other chronic diseases of childhood with comorbid mental health conditions
Victoria Yatsenko
Research Mentor: Michael Seckeler, MD, MSc
Research Topic: Heart
 

Characterizing and predicting hypoglossal nerve stimulator outcomes: Updated analysis from an urban sleep clinic
Shide Mike Zhang
Research Mentor: Srikar Vegesna, MD
Research Topic: Sleep
 

A single nucleotide polymorphism in HNF1A plus a high-fat diet contributes to MASLD and HCC development
Ateh Zinkeng
Research Mentor: Juanita L. Merchant, MD, PhD
Research Topic: Cancer