The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Department of Medicine and the Alpha Omega Alpha Beta Tennessee Chapter will join forces on Friday, February 24 to present its annual Research in Medicine and Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Student Research Day. The event will take place from 3-6 p.m. in the Madison Plaza with presentations taking place in the Hamilton Eye Institute Freeman Auditorium.
Submissions for abstracts, which will all be used during the poster presentation portion, were collected from students in the College of Medicine as well as faculty, fellows and residents. The annual event provides students the opportunity to complete a project in which they will present research abstracts not only to their peers, but fellow physicians, clinicians, and researchers. An estimated 57 abstracts were received for this year’s event.
Darryl Quarles, MD, professor and director of Nephrology, and associate dean for Research in the UTHSC College of Medicine, will serve as the keynote speaker. Dr. Quarles is internationally known for his research in kidney disease, pioneering the research behind how bones communicate with the kidneys, discovering that bones release hormones that activate calcium balance in the kidneys.
“Medical school focuses on teaching students how to apply existing knowledge to diagnose and treat diseases; however, this knowledge is derived from basic and clinical research,” Dr. Quarles said. “Since biomedical research requires special training, it is important that medical students are exposed to basic and clinical research career opportunities. Hopefully some will pursue careers as physician-scientists.”
Founded in 1941, the UTHSC Alpha Omega Alpha Beta Tennessee Chapter uses the same criteria for membership used by Alpha Omega Alpha since its founding in 1902. Selection into the medical honor society is reserved to the top quartile of the graduating class who meet the criteria of scholarship, leadership, compassion, integrity and service to their school and communities. Residents, fellows, and alumni are also eligible for nomination into the society.