MSTP Annual Retreat
The 23rd Annual MSTP Retreat Kicks Off a Fantastic Year
The Medical Scientist Training Program’s 23rd Annual Retreat was held on August 9, 2024 at Bristol Mountain’s Sunset Lodge. Less than an hour drive away from URMC, the off-season ski resort offered a cozy, welcoming space for the MSTP family to gather and discuss their science and plans for the upcoming academic year. While a rainy day meant we had to postpone the afternoon’s outdoor rope course adventure, a large row of windows at the back of the lodge allowed us to enjoy a view of the gorgeous, grass-covered ski slopes throughout the morning. The event commenced with introductions of the eight new students joining the program as M1s: Karolina Szenkiel (Barnard College), Shu Yi Chen (Swarthmore College), Mattie Martin-Olenski (University of Rochester), Julie Thompson (Dartmouth College), Shinelle Black (University of Chicago), Edward Niu (University of Maryland- College Park), Lucas Sears (University of Wisconsin-Madison), and Heather Breidenbach (University of Minnesota- Twin Cities). We also welcomed Caleb Mahlen (Regis University), who just completed his first two years of medical school at URMC, to our MSTP!
The retreat kicked into gear with 15-minute research talks delivered by four current MSTP students: Hayley Chang (G3), Thomas Delgado (G4), Adam Geber (M3), and Gavin Piester (G4). Their talks cited progress made in a wide variety of scientific disciplines, from the neurologic basis of photophobia in cystinosis (Hayley), to characterizing innate-like CD8+ T cells found in early life (Adam). The morning session continued with a Rochester-themed trivia competition from Catherine Beamish. Each table formed a group to answer the questions, with a group of G4s eventually pulling ahead to win the surprisingly competitive Kahoot contest!
This year’s keynote address was delivered by Dr. Martin S. Zand, a professor of Medicine and Medical Humanities in the Division of Nephrology at the University of Rochester. He also serves as Co-Director of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Co-Director of The Center for Leading Innovation and Collaboration, and Director of the Rochester Center for Health Informatics. Dr. Zand’s talk, titled “There is No One True Path; Crafting Your Career Journey”, emphasized a values-based approach to deciding on a career path and being successful in positions of leadership. He took us through his MD/PhD journey, explaining how his vision of what his career would look like changed over and over as he followed opportunities he was passionate about. The talk culminated with a discussion of how to determine which institution will be right for you based on the values that you share, explaining how he has helped to shape the Clinical and Translational Science Institute into an organization that puts its faculty’s families first. Some of Dr. Zand’s current research focuses on using data science analytics to improve population health and healthcare delivery, paralleling his clinical interest in making sure patients in Rochester have access to the best, cutting-edge clinical trials. He is also working on another project to understand B cell responses to vaccination and organ transplant, hoping to eventually improve outcomes for kidney transplant patients.
After lunch, three students wrapped up the day’s research presentations with some quick “lightning talks”. Michelle Duan (M2/G2) gave a fascinating presentation on a microfluidic 3D tissue model for studying retinal degeneration in Batten disesase. Edward Niu (M1), a new addition to the MSTP, gave a talk on research he completed before coming to Rochester on diabetic eye disease. Finally, Levy Sominsky (G1) finished the lightning round with his talk, “Optimization of an in vitro model of Stapphylococcal abscess communities to study bactericidal mechanisms.” Before the retreat came to a close, the MSTP students that attended the annual national MD/PhD student conference in Colorado shared all the best pictures from their trip, reminiscing about challenging hikes, the view from their Air B&B window, and of course the posters they got to present at the conference.
Finally, the results of the MSTP student council election were announced: John Bennett will be taking on the role of student president and welcoming students from all across the program to the council. Overall, the engaging student talks, enlightening keynote, and beautiful view made for a fun and successful 2024 retreat!
Recap Written by Jordan McMurry, M2