Introducing the new 2016 – 2017 editorial staff for the MSRJ! We are thrilled to welcome 20+ junior editors to our experienced MSRJ team. The journal has been making exciting new changes with the start of e-publication and we look forward to another productive year of publishing, editing, and supporting medical student research efforts around the world!
2016-2017 Executive Editorial Board
Executive Editors
James Polega, Executive Editor-in-Chief, is a fourth year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He completed a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology at Saginaw Valley State University in 2013. He has previous research experience in bariatric surgery, freshwater ecology, natural products chemistry, and antiquity metallic compositional determination. He has special interests in hematology and oncology. He plans to pursue a Med/Peds residency upon completion of medical school.
Garrett Roe, Executive Editor, is a fourth year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He completed a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Neuroscience at the University of Michigan in 2013. He has previous research experience in Parkinson’s Disease which he completed while at the University of Michigan. He has special interests in neuroscience, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and sports medicine.
Danny Yau, Executive Editor, is a third year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. He completed his B.S. in Microbial Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. His previous contributions to MSRJ include the new ePublications feature. As an executive editor, he looks to further establish MSRJ’s presence in the medical research community. His current interest is in Emergency Medicine.
Executive Board
Mahnoor Rehman, Senior Editor Coordinator, is a fourth year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She received her B.S. in Evolutionary Anthropology from the University of Michigan in 2013. Over the years, she has participated in research related to identifying infectious mechanisms in Legionella pneumophila, HPV vaccination rates in adolescent males in the mid-Michigan area, and background EEG patterns in patients that suffer from non-epileptic seizures. She is interested in pursuing a career in Neurology with a focus on epilepsy.
Kyle Hildebrandt, Junior Editor Coordinator, is a third year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. He completed a B.S. in Biomedical Laboratory Science with an additional major in Human Biology. He is planning on pursuing a career in Surgery, with a special interest in Orthopedics.
Jason Sotzen, Treasurer, is a third year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He received a B.S. in Biochemistry and B.A. in Spanish Language & Literature from Oakland University in 2011. He has previous research experience and publications in retinal gene expression at Oakland University and hematologic malignancies at the University of Michigan. Jason is drawn to surgery and neuroscience, and plans to pursue a career as a neurological surgeon.
Senior Editors
Regina Matar is a fourth year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience with a Minor in Music. She has completed research related to Carotid Artery Stenosis and Melanoma at Spectrum Health, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease at Columbia University, and Renal Failure at the University of Michigan. Regina is passionate about pursuing a surgical career and looks forward to furthering evidence-based medicine in her specialty.
Daniel Ziazadeh is a graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the James Madison College. He went on to complete his Master of Science in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan Medical School. He is currently a fourth year medical student at Michigan State University – College of Human Medicine. He has published several peer-reviewed articles in advanced cancer research and serves as a reviewer, technical support specialist, and senior editor for MSRJ. His current research interests include management of carotid artery stenosis after stenting and annuloplasty band for mitral valve repair. Daniel is passionate about pursuing a career in Cardiothoracic Surgery.
Apoorva Aekka is a fourth year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies—Global Environment and Health. She hopes to pursue her interests in pediatrics and global health.
Danielle Levy is a third year medical student at Michigan State University – College of Human Medicine. She received her B.S. in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry and a Minor in Mathematics from Wayne State University in 2012. She is passionate about improving global health and looks forward to furthering her interests in pathology and pediatrics.
Ryan Nowatzke is a third year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. In 2013 he graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in Physiology. He worked at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Ann Arbor as a Patient Care Technician on a cardiac PCU for 2013-2014 and was a licensed EMT. Ryan is interested in a career in Anesthesiology.
Jessica Priestley is a third year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. She received her BS in Human Biology with a specialization in Bioethics, Humanities, and Society from Michigan State University’s Lyman Briggs College in 2008. She went on to receive her PhD in Physiology from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2014. Her dissertation examined the protective role of transcriptional regulation of antioxidant proteins in a rat model of salt-induced vascular dysfunction. Jessica is looking forward to putting her passions for physiology and teaching to use in a career in a medical or pediatric subspecialty at an academic medical center.
Mark Nolan is a third year student at the Grand Rapids campus of Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. He received Bachelor of Science degrees in architecture and civil engineering and a Master of Architecture from Lawrence Technological University and a Master of Engineering from the University of Michigan. Mark is a registered professional engineer and helped manage the construction of the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s and St. John Providence Park hospitals. He is keeping an open mind regarding specialty, but finds gynecologic oncology, interventional cardiology, and ophthalmology especially appealing.
Amanda Witte is a third year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine in Grand Rapids. She completed a B.S. in Biochemistry with a minor in Mathematics from Calvin College in 2014. She has a significant interest in oncological and immunological research, and has published several peer-reviewed articles in these fields. She plans to pursue a career in academic medicine, and is especially interested in surgical oncology or interventional radiology.
Nadine Talia is a fourth year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine in Grand Rapids. She completed a B.S. in Biology from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 2010. She plans to pursue a career in emergency medicine.
Angela Miciura is a third year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 2009 with a BS in Brain, Behavior, and Cognitive Sciences. After graduating, she worked as a preschool teacher in Ann Arbor until getting a full time clinical research position at UofM. Her projects focused on quality of life studies and interviews with Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury patients. She is currently interested in pursuing a career in orthopedic surgery.
Elena Maxim is a third year medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 2013 with a BS in Evolutionary Anthropology, and a minor in Gender and Health. She has previous clinical research experience in gynecology with the Pelvic Floor Research Group at the University of Michigan. She is currently undecided with regards to a specialty, but interested in dermatology and immunology.
Junior Editors
Marten Hawkins is a second year medical student at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry in 2012 and his Master of Public Health in Hospital and Molecular Epidemiology in 2015, both from the University of Michigan. He thinks Jessica Martín is totally tubular. Marten’s interests focus on issues in hospital infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship and he plans to pursue a career in infectious disease medicine and hospital epidemiology.
John Kanitra is a third year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He completed his B.A. in Chemistry from Michigan State University in 2014. He has previous research experience in the therapy of short gut syndrome and mucosal atrophy, as well as the use of biologic mesh in ventral hernia repairs. Both of these projects were performed through the Department of Surgery at Michigan State University. He is interested in pursuing general surgery or any surgical sub-specialty.
Elton Li is a second year medical student at Michigan State University of College of Human Medicine. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Philosophy from University of Michigan in 2012. His research experience includes working under the direction of Dr. Ruthann Nichols to create consensus structures for RFamide-related peptide-1. He is currently working with Dr. Anna Lok on a cross-sectional survey to help determine factors that influence Asian Americans to pursue Hepatitis B screening in Southeast Michigan. Elton Li is currently keeping an open mind regarding future specialties.
Kevin Lutley is a 3rd year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human medicine. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Central Michigan University in 2012. He is interested in pursuing a career in Internal Medicine or Pediatrics.
James Parkkonen is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He received his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan in 2012, and is planning on going into Emergency Medicine.
Kristi Wu is a third year medical student at the Flint campus of the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University. She earned a B.S. from the University of Alabama in Chemistry and Spanish and is interested in global health.
Anne Drolet is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She earned in B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Central Michigan University and M.S. in Basic Medical Sciences from Wayne State University School of Medicine. Anne’s research background includes clinical reviews and non-coding RNA genome annotations. She hopes to eventually work in women’s health.
Jaymie Baliwag is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She received her B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of California – Merced in 2012. She has previous research experience in the pathogenesis of psoriasis at the University of Michigan. Jaymie is currently interested in global health and pediatrics.
Olivia Hudson is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. In 2013, she received a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from Michigan State University. She has previous research experience in fields including organic chemistry and entomology. Currently, she is interested in surgery, pediatrics and cardiology, however, she continues to have an open mind.
Rohit Nallani is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He received his B.S. in Neuroscience and History from the University of Michigan in 2014. His research experience includes work with Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience and studying decisional conflict in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. He is interested in public health and multiple medical specialities.
Gurbaksh Shergill is a third year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She received her B.S. in Biological Sciences and a Minor in Spanish at Oakland University in 2014. She is passionate about improving public health and is interested in working with underserved populations. Currently, she is interested in Neurology, but is keeping an open mind about other medical specialties.
Francesca Cazzulino is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She received her B.A. from Oberlin College in 2011 and her Master’s in Public Health in Epidemiology from UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health in 2015. Her research experience includes assisting with fMRI imaging of bipolar disorder patients at Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute and Pediatric Trauma Surgery Injury Prevention research at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She is currently considering a career in primary care, neurology or obstetrics and gynecology.
Angelyn Thayer is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Valley State University in 2010. Angie worked as a Registered Nurse in Pediatric Critical Care at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. She will be conducting research on whole blood thrombosis and platelet adhesion at Wayne State University and Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Her interests include pediatric critical care, pediatric surgery, craniofacial surgery and congenital cardiac surgery.
Jessica Martín is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She received her Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior from the University of California, Davis in 2013. She thinks Marten Hawkins is totally rad. This summer she will begin a research project looking at recent immigrants and dietary changes with a mentor from the Department of Family Medicine Residency Program in Grand Rapids. She is a part of MSU CHM student council and is an Executive Board member for the Family Medicine Interest Group. She is interested in pursuing a career in Emergency Medicine but is keeping an open mind towards all specialities. She has great interest in addressing health disparities in low income communities and improving diversity within the field of medicine.
Helen Ohaeri is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Kettering University in Flint, MI in 2013. Helen did undergraduate research in chemistry, antibiotic synthesis, and did worked in plant biology after graduation. This summer, Helen will be working at the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction. Helen’s interests include pediatrics, OB/GYN, and family medicine.
Nuong Truong is a third year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She received her B.S. in Evolutionary Anthropology at The University of Michigan in 2013. She did her undergraduate research in psychiatry at the University of Michigan. She is interested in working with the underserved populations.
Christian Roehmer is a third year medical student at Michigan State College of Human Medicine. He obtained his degree in finance from the Broad College of Business at Michigan State University.
Sara Rosenblum is a third year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She received a B.A. in Organizational Studies with a minor in Spanish Language and Literature from the University of Michigan in 2009. Prior to pursuing medicine, she worked in the fields of public health and business. She is passionate about empowering patients, public health, and quality improvement. Previously, she was involved in research related to international tobacco control, and improving maternal health outcomes in developing countries. She is excited to begin her clinical training and currently keeping an open-mind to all medical specialties.
Carina Mendoza is a third-year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Carina is a descendant of immigrants from Mexico and was born and raised in Southern California. She received her B.A. in Molecular and Cell Biology and Spanish from the University of California, Berkeley. Her research experience includes medical beliefs and practices among underserved immigrant, ethnic and cultural communities in the United States; methods for improving preventive medical practices; and methods for reducing medical non-compliance. Carina has made multiple national and international conference presentations on her research. Her current professional interests are multifaceted and include: practicing in a community medical health center or university medical clinic; continuing her empirical research on culture, health disparities and the practice of medicine; teaching and mentoring aspiring medical students; and working as an advocate for the underserved. Her current interests in medicine are: neurology, cardiology, endocrinology and family medicine.
Mark Pressler is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Mark is originally from Ann Arbor, MI and gambled with disownment by attending Michigan State University for undergraduate and graduate education. He started his research in golf course diseases at MSU, then switched to mouse neuroscience (leptin, orexin, and ghrelin populations in the temporal lobe), and now that he’s in medical school is finally starting to study people. In his spare time he likes to, as cliche as it is for a future doctor, play golf.
Larissa Georgeon is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She received her B.A. in Biology from Clark University and her M.P.H. in Epidemiology from Texas A&M University. Prior to medical school, she was an Epidemiological Fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, GA. She is interested in Global Health and has gained international experience through her public health internship in Mumbai, India and volunteering at a rural clinic in Surin, Thailand. Her passion is to pursue a career in women’s health and help alleviate domestic and global health disparities.
Alex Chavez-Yenter is a third year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He obtained his B.S. in Human Biology at Michigan State University in 2013. He is interested in pursuing a career in either diagnostic or interventional radiology.
Mariam Khan is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She received her B.S. in Religion with a minor in Biology from the University of Michigan in 2014. She is interested in pursuing a career in surgery or a pediatric specialty.
Shana Kim is a second year medical student at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She received her B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Boston University. She has previous research experience in diabetes. Shana is interested in primary care with a focus on underserved medicine.
Faculty Advisors
Founding Faculty Advisor
Dr. Clare Luz Ph.D. Assistant Professor, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University. Dr. Luz worked as a clinical social worker and consultant in long-term care settings prior to joining CHM as lead research director, then as faculty in Family Medicine, Geriatric Division. As a gerontologist, her primary research interests are on aspects of functional health and long-term care that have an impact on optimal aging for vulnerable older adults; specific topics focus on the direct care work force, delirium, falls, and the intersection of art and health. She has overseen multiple federally and state-funded grants and is module coordinator for CHM’s research methods course; Critical Appraisal and Analytic Medicine. Dr. Luz has been the MSRJ faculty advisor since its 2007 inception.
Faculty Advisor, Office of Research
Dr. Mark Trottier Ph.D. is the Student Research Director for the Grand Rapids campus of the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Prior to joining CHM, he was a Research Assistant Professor in the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Department at Michigan State University, studying the effects of stress, nutrition and obesity on the immune system. Dr. Trottier received a PhD in Molecular Virology from Purdue University, where he studied viral assembly mechanisms, and conducted postdoctoral work on virus infections of the central nervous system at both Evanston Hospital/Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and New York University in New York, NY.
[facebook] [retweet]