Duke Medical Student Discoveries Chart the Future of Health Care

(DURHAM, NC) From maternal health and lung transplantation to tobacco use and predictive modeling of preterm birth, third-year medical students at Duke University School of Medicine presented a wide range of projects during the 56th annual Student Research Symposium on Aug. 7.

During the third year scholarly experience, a distinctive feature of the four-year MD program, students are immersed in rigorous research spanning basic science, clinical medicine, population health, humanities, and emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and biomedical engineering.  

Two students were honored with the Vice Dean Award for Research Excellence, an award established by former Vice Dean for Education Edward Buckley, MD, professor of ophthalmology.  

Buckley delivered the event’s plenary lecture, “Disruptive Innovation: Predicting the Future of Medicine,” emphasizing the role of student-led research in transforming clinical care.  

Vice Dean Award Winners 

Melissa Marchese, mentored by Liping Feng, MD, was recognized for her research, “Mixtures and Maternal Health: The Effects of Antiretroviral Therapy and Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) on Cardiometabolic and Pregnancy Outcomes.”

The findings raise new concerns about how combined exposure to HIV medications and pollutants in drinking water could impact women’s heart health, especially during pregnancy.  

Adwoa Baffoe-Bonnie, working with mentors Sarahn Wheeler, MD, and Rachel Wood, MD, was awarded for her project, “Is second trimester cervical length predictive of spontaneous preterm birth risk in patients with history of cesarean delivery in the second stage of labor?”

Researchers found that cervical length may not be a reliable way to predict preterm birth for those with a prior second stage cesarean, and doctors may need new methods to identify who is at risk.

In the area of respiratory health, three students received the Palmer/GSK Awards for Excellence in Respiratory Research, recognizing significant contributions in pulmonary science: 

• Alexandria Soto (mentor: Matthew Hartwig, MD): “Differential Endothelial Cell Gene Expression by Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Serotype During Ex-Vivo Lung Perfusion in a Rat Lung Transplant Model.” 

• Jenna Armstrong (mentor: Andrew Murray, PhD): “Impact of High-Altitude Pregnancy on Mitochondrial Respiratory Capacity in Human Placentas at Term.” 

• Julianna Lazzari (mentor: Joseph McClernon, PhD): “Prevalence of Tobacco Use in Adults with Chronic Pain: Results from the National Health Interview Survey 2010–2023.” 

In opening remarks, Daniel Laskowitz, MD, professor and vice chair of academic affairs in neurology and assistant dean for scholarly education at Duke School of Medicine, highlighted the impact of Duke's research-based curriculum on patient care and praised students for their dedication to discovery.