| Welcome | Dr. Sydney Murphy
Dean, School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences |
| Remarks | - Dr. Erin Taylor, Alumni Board President-Elect, Alumni Affairs
- Dr. Scott Rodgers, Associate Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs
- Dr. Natalie Gaughf, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs
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| Recognition of Graduates – Master's in Clinical Investigation | Presenter: Dr. Jan Williams, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs & Recruitment Graduates: Dr. Peter Mittwede – MS in Clinical Investigation – Clinical Trials Track - Capstone project: Immediate versus delayed weight bearing after fixation of pelvis and acetabulum fractures: a multicenter feasibility randomized controlled trial.
Dr. Charles Brewerton – MS in Clinical Investigation – Maternal Fetal Medicine Track
- Thesis: The immunomodulatory effects and therapeutic potential of progesterone on the pathophysiology of severe preeclampsia.
Dr. Miriam Hankins – MS in Clinical Investigation – Maternal Fetal Medicine Track
- Thesis: The role of CD20+ B cells in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and potential risks for neurovascular disease in the postpartum period and their offspring.
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| Recognition of Graduates – Doctorate Programs | Presenter: Dr. Jan Williams, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs & Recruitment Dr. Erin Norcoss, Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs Graduates: - Ahmed Abdelhameed – Doctorate in Cell and Molecular Biology
- Mentor: Dr. Licy Yanes
- Dissertation: Adiponectin as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Cardiometabolic Complications in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
- Jelina Basnet – Doctorate in Cell and Molecular Biology
- Mentor: Dr. Damian Romero
- Dissertation: Androgen-induced Cardiometabolic Dysfunctions in a Mouse Model of PCOS: Therapeutic Potential of Androgen Receptor PROTACs.
- Publications:
- First authored publications: 3
- Co-authored publications: 3
- Abstracts accepted: 35
- Current Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow -University of Mississippi Medical Center (Jackson, MS)
- Komal Beeton – Doctorate in Microbiology and Immunology
- Mentor: Dr. Gene L. Bidwell
- Dissertation: Development of ppl50-targeted Peptide Fused with Elastin-like Polypeptide as an Antiviral against Cytomegalovirus Infection.
- Publications:
- First authored publications: 2
- Co-authored publications: 5
- Abstracts accepted: 16
- Current Position: Postdoctoral Associate (Boston, MA)
- Umesh Bhattarai – Doctorate in Physiology and Biophysics
- Mentor: Dr. Yingjie Chen
- Dissertation: Effect of Inhibition of 11-12α and 11-12β on Pressure Overload-Induced Heart Failure.
- Sara Cartee – Doctorate in Nursing
- Mentor: Dr. Katie Hall
- Dissertation: Exploring the Relationship Between Social Support and Stress Among Caregivers of Children Recently Diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus.
- Publications
- First authored publications: 1
- Abstracts accepted: 9
- Current Position: Diabetes Educator & Coordinator - University of Mississippi Medical Center (Oxford, MS)
- Sheetal Chowdhury – Doctorate in Biomedical Materials Science
- Mentor: Dr. Amol Janorkar
- Dissertation: Surface Coatings for Long-term 3D Culture of Adipocytes to Study Adipose Pathophysiology.
- Publications
- First authored publications: 4
- Co-authored publications: 6
- Abstracts accepted: 18
- Current Position: Clinical Research Associate - SOM Orthopaedic Surgery - University of Medical Medical Center (Jackson, MS)
- William Doyle – Doctorate in Neuroscience (MD-PhD)
- Mentor: Dr. Sally Huskinson
- Dissertation: Uncertain Reinforcement and Punishment in Rhesus Monkeys and Rats Self-Administering Food and Cocaine.
- Publications:
- First authored publications: 3
- Co-authored publications: 3
- Current Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow - University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
- Matthew Dubuisson– Doctorate in Cell and Molecular Biology
- Mentor: Dr. Yann Gibert
- Dissertation: The Interplay Between Bisphenols and the Endocannabinoid System: Implications for Bone and Cartilage Health.
- Madison Hamby – Doctorate in Physiology and Biophysics
- Mentor: Dr. Heather Drummond
- Dissertation: The Roles of Beta Epithelial Sodium Channel and Acid-Sensing Ion Channel 2 in Protection Against Diet-Induced Obesity.
- Publications
- First authored publications: 3
- Co-authored publications: 2
- Abstracts accepted: 5
- Book Chapter: 1
- Current Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow - University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham, AL)
- Jena' Mazique – Doctorate in Neuroscience
- Mentor: Dr. Hong Zhu
- Dissertation: Vestibular and Neurobehavioral Consequences of Primary Blast Injury.
- Publications
- First authored publications: 1
- Co-authored publications: 1
- Abstracts accepted: 3
- Current Position: Patient Examiner - USPTO (Alexandria, VA)
- Loc Pham – Doctorate in Neuroscience
- Mentor: Dr. Kevin Freeman
- Dissertation: Investigation of in vivo Efficacy of G-protein Biased Opioid Receptor Agonists.
- Publications:
- First authored publications: 1
- Co-authored publications: 2
- Abstracts accepted: 9
- Lesley Thweatt – Doctorate in Nursing
- Mentor: Dr. Katie Hall
- Dissertation: Intention to Engage in Advance Care Planning among Community-Dwelling Adults.
- Publications:
- First authored publications: 1
- Co-authored publications: 1
- Abstracts accepted: 6
- Current Position: Assistant Professor - University of Mississippi Medical Center (Jackson, MS)
- Sara Tucker– Doctorate in Cell and Molecular Biology
- Mentor: Dr. Michael Hebert
- Dissertation: SUMOylation's Role in Nuclear Organization and Influence on the DNA Damage Response as Influenced by Coilin, the Cajal Body Marker Protein.
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| Presentation of Awards | Presenter: Dr. Jan Williams, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs & Recruitment Award Selection Committee: - Dr. Brian Akerley, Microbiology and Immunology
- Dr. Timothy Dasinger, Clinical Anatomy
- Dr. Angela Duck, Nursing
- Dr. Erin Taylor, Physiology and Biophysics
- Dr. Michael Hebert, Cell and Molecular Biology
- Dr. Susana Salazar Marocho, Biomedical Sciences – PhD
- Dr. Joshua Speed, Physiology and Biophysics/MD-PhD
- Dr. J. Paula Warrington, Neuroscience
- Dr. Jan Williams, Experimental Therapeutics and Pharmacology
Presenter: Dr. Natalie Gaughf, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs PHI KAPPA PHI Inductees: - Ahmend Abdelhameed
- Jelina Basnet
- Matthew Dubuisson
- Gordon Gartrell
- Dr. Miriam Hankins
- Lesley Thweatt
Presenter: Dr. Jan Williams, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs & Recruitment Recipients: - Sheetal Chowdhury – 2026 Robert A. Mahaffey Jr. Memorial Award for Research Potential in Cell & Molecular Biology
- This award is given to recognize, encourage and promote superior scientific research capability of young investigators.
- Marcus Robbins – 2026 Excellence in Pharmacology Award
- This award is presented to a Medical Pharmacology PhD candidate who has demonstrated academic and research excellence, outstanding professionalism, and service to the UMMC community.
- Komal Beeton – 2026 Regions Outstanding Graduate Research Award
- This award is in recognition of outstanding research accomplishments by a graduate student.
- Bridget Konadu, PhD – 2026 Postdoctoral Fellow Award
- This award is in recognition of an outstanding postdoctoral fellow.
- Jelina Basnet – 2026 Regions Randall Graduate Research Award
- This award is in recognition of outstanding research accomplishments by a graduate student
- Michael Adenawoola – UMMC 50th Anniversary Scholarship Endowment
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| Closing Remarks and Thanks | - Dr. LouAnn Woodward, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, Dean, School of Medicine
- Dr. Scott Rodgers, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
- Dr. Natalie Gaughf, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
- Office of Alumni Engagement
- LoRose Moore, Regions Bank
- YOU, our Graduates, and Awardees
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