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2024 PhD Graduate Recognition and Awards Ceremony

The program was held on May 23, 2024 to honor graduating PhD students and celebrate exceptional service and/or research productivity during their graduate careers. 


Graduate School Administration:               

Sydney Murphy 2023
Dr. Sydney Murphy
Dean
Audra Schaefer 2023
Dr. Audra Schaefer
Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs
Joshua "Josh" Hardy 2024
Joshua Hardy
Director of Operations

 

Melody Turner 2023
Melody Turner
Project Manager
Andrea Love 2023
Andrea Love
Education Administrator

 

Additional Speakers and Presenters:

Erin Taylor 2020
Dr. Erin Taylor
Alumni Board President-elect
Portrait of Dr. Scott Rodgers
Dr. Scott Rodgers
Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs

Graduates:

MASTER'S OF SCIENCE

Clinical Trials Track

Pradeep Bathina 2019
Dr. Pradeep Bathina

Maternal Fetal Medicine Track

Kimberly Sullivan 2021
Dr. Kimberly Sullivan   

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY   (An * indicates an award recipient.)

Cell & Molecular Biology                       

Bridget Konadu 2023
Bridget Konadu    

Clinical Anatomy                         

Oheneba Boadum 2024
Oheneba Boadum
Jeanne Calcote 2023
Margaret Calcote
Marli Crabtree
Marli Crabtree
Kayla Pavlick 2022 Suit
Kayla Pavlick

Experimental Therapeutics & Pharmacology

Nathan Campbell 2019
Nathan Campbell*
ubong ekperikpe 2020
Ubong Ekperikpe
Xing Fang 2022
Xing Fang*

MD-PhD Program, Cell & Molecular Biology

Katheryn-Lett-300x400.jpg
Dr. Katheryn Lett

Microbiology & Immunology

Mary Carr
Mary Carr
Kristianna Felch 2023
Kristianna Felch
Anna Scasny
Anna Scasny
Neuroscience
Ashley Griffin
Ashley Griffin*
Allie Smith 2020
Allie Smith
Jake Valeri 2023
Jake Valeri

Additional Award Recipients:

Xi Wang 2023
Xi Wang
Olufunto Badmus 2023
Dr. Olufunto Badmus

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Order of Program:

WelcomeDr. Sydney Murphy
Dean, School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences
Remarks
  • Dr. Erin Taylor, Alumni Board President-Elect
  • Dr. Scott Rodgers, Associate Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs 
Recognition of Graduates – Master's in Clinical Investigation

Presenter: Dr. Audra Schaefer, Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs

Graduates:

Dr. Pradeep Bathina – MS in Clinical Investigation – Clinical Trials track

  • Capstone project: Prevelance of select micronutrient deficiencies at UMMC.

Dr. James Littlejohn – MS in Clinical Investigation – Translational Human Research Track

  • Capstone project: Circulating cell free DNA after trauma: Who is the driver 
Dr. Gail Ohaegbulam – MS in Clinical Investigation – Maternal Fetal Medicine Trac
  • Thesis: The Impact of COVID-19 in Pregnant Women in Mississippi
Dr. Kimberly Sullivan – MS in Clinical Investigation – Maternal Fetal Medicine Trac
  • Thesis: Preeclamptic or History-of-COVID-19 CD4+ T Cells Contribute to Hypertension, Neurovascular Dysfunction Postpartum and in Offspring
Recognition of Graduates – Doctorate Programs

Presenter: Dr. Audra Schaefer, Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs

Graduates:

    • Oheneba Boadum – Doctorate in Clinical Anatomy
      • Mentor: Dr. Andrew Notebaert
      • Dissertation: Empowerment in Preclinical Medical Education: The Role of Self-directed Learning, Mental Well-being, and Academic Performance
      • Publications:
        • First authored publications: 2
        • Co-authored publications: 4
        • Abstracts accepted: 3
      • Current Position: Assistant Professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS
    • Margaret Calcote – Doctorate in Nursing
      • Mentor: Dr. Mary Stewart
      • Dissertation: The Moderating Effect of Spirituality and Religiosityon the Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Glycemic Control in African American with Diabetes in the Jackson Heart Study
      • Current Position:Director, Instruction School of Nursing at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS
    • Nathan Campbell – Doctorate in Experimental Therapeutics & Pharmacology
      • Mentor: Dr. Babbette LaMarca
      • Dissertation: The Role of AT1-AA in Causing Adult Hypertension in Offspring Born with Fetal Growth Restriction.
      • Publications:
        • First authored publications: 1 
        • Co-authored publications: 12
        • Abstracts accepted: 21
      • Current Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS
    • Mary Carr Doctorate in Microbiology & Immunology
      • Mentor: Dr. Mary Marquart
      • Dissertation: Streptococcus pneumoniae Zinc Metalloprotease IgA1 Protease: Substrate Cleavage In Vitro and Role in the Mouse Model of Keratitis.
      • Publications:
        • First authored publications: 2
        • Co-authored publications: 4
        • Abstracts accepted: 11
      • Current Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Joanna Goldberg Emory University in Atlanta, GA
    • Marli Crabtree – Doctorate in Clinical Anatomy
      • Mentor: Dr. Andrew Notebaert
      • Dissertation: Impostor Syndrome in Basic Sciences PhD Students, Post-doctoral Fellows, and Academic Faculty: Prevalence and Related Factors.
      • Publications
        • First authored publications: 1
        • Abstracts accepted: 1
      • Current Position: Assistant Professor at Duquesne Univerisity in Pittsburg, PA
    • Ubong Ekperikpe – Doctorate in Experimental Therapeutics & Pharmacology
      • Mentor: Dr. Jan Williams
      • Dissertation: The Impact of Insulin Resistance and Inflammation During Renal Injury Associated wit Prepubertal Obesity.
      • Publications
        • First authored publications: 4 
        • Co-authored publications: 6
        • Abstracts accepted: 11
      • Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, NY
    • Xing Fang – Doctorate in Experimental Therapeutics & Pharmacology
      • Mentor: Dr. Jan Williams
      • Dissertation: Effects of Beta-amyloid on Cerebral Hypoperfusion in Alzheimer's Disease.
      • Publications:
        • First authored publications: 5
        • Co-authored publications: 14
        • Abstracts accepted: 13
      • Current Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS
    • Kristianna Felch – Doctorate in Microbiology and Immunology
      • Mentor: Dr. Melanie Wilson
      • Dissertation: Insights ito Toll-like Receptor (TLR) Signaling in Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus
      • Publications
        • First authored publications: 1 
        • Co-authored publications: 3
        • Abstracts accepted: 9
      • Current Position: Postdoctoral Researcher at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Beltsville, MD
    • Sarah Fitzgerald – Doctorate in Experimental Therapeutics & Pharmacology
      • Mentor: Dr. Babbette LaMarca
      • Dissertation: The Role of Th17 Cells Versus IL-17 Signaling in the Pathophysiology of Preeclampsia.
    • Melissa Klamm – Doctorate in Nursing
      • Mentor: Dr. Mary Stewart
      • Dissertation: Efficacy of Motivational Interviewing on Adolescent Physical Activity and Sendentary Behavior Patterns.
      • Publications
        • First authored publications: 1
        • Co-authored publications: 3
        • Abstracts accepted: 6
      • Current Position: Assistant Professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS
    • Ashley Griffin – Doctorate in Neuroscience
      • Mentor: Dr. Kedra Wallace
      • Dissertation: Acute Kidney Injury during Pregnancy: Evaluating its effects on the brain and the relationship with Indoxyl sulfate.
      • Publications:
        • First authored publications: 3
        • Co-authored publications: 6
        • Abstracts accepted: 15
      • Current Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate at Washington University in St. Louis, MS
    • Aubri Hickman – Doctorate in Nursing
      • Mentor: Dr. Mary Stewart 
      • Dissertation: Relationship Between Vitamin D and Chronic Pain in People with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
      • Publications:
        • First authored publications: 1
        • Co-authored publications: 1
        • Abstracts accepted: 9
        • Book Chapters: 1
      • Current Position: Director of the Ryan White Program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS
    • Bridget Konadu– Doctorate in Cell & Molecular Biology
      • Mentor: Dr. Yann Gibert
      • Dissertation: Physiological and Metabolic Consequence of Fetal Hyperglycemia using the Zebrafish Model.
      • Publications:
        • First authored publications: 3
        • Co-authored publications: 1
        • Abstracts accepted: 6
      • Current Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS
    •  Dr. Katheryn Lett – Doctorate in Cell & Molecular Biology (MD-PhD)
      • Mentor: Dr. Michael Hebert
      • Dissertation: The Role of Coilin in MiRNA Biogenesis
      • Publications:
        • First authored publications: 3
        • Co-authored publications: 6
        • Abstracts accepted: 1
      • Current Position: House Officer (Pediatrics) at the University of Mississippi Medical Center
    • Kayla Pavlick – Doctorate in Clinical Anatomy
      • Mentor: Dr. Andrew Notebaert
      • Dissertation: I'm Not Crazy, My Reality Is Just Different Than Yours: Difference in Perceptions of Learning Objectives Between Medical Educators and Students.
      • Publications:
        • First authored publications: 1 
        • Abstracts accepted: 3
        • Columns: 5
      • Current Position: Assistant Professor at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL
    •  Anna Scasny – Doctorate in Microbiology & Immunology
      • Mentor: Dr. Jorge Vidal
      • Dissertation: The Pathogenic Consequences of Hydrogen Peroxide Producted by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
      • Publications:
        • First authored publications: 1
        • Co-authored publications: 6
        • Abstracts accepted: 13
      • Current Position: Epidemiologist II/Surveilance Coordinator at the Mississippie State Department of Health in Jackson, MS
    • Allie Smith – Doctorate in Neurscience
      • Mentor: Dr. Bernadette Grayson
      • Dissertation: The Intersection of Juvenile Traumatic Brain Injury and Overall Health.
      • Publications:
        • First authored publications: 4
        • Co-authored publications: 2
        • Abstracts accepted: 15
        • Book Chapters: 1
      • Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL
    •  Jake Valeri – Doctorate in Neuroscience
      • Mentor: Dr. Harry Pantazopoulos
      • Dissertation: Molecular neurobiology of Substance Use Disorders: Involvement of the Extracellular Matrix.
      • Publications:
        • First authored publications: 3
        • Co-authored publications: 7
        • Abstracts accepted: 8
      • Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan Medical School in Worcester, MA
Presentation of Awards

Presenter: Dr. Hanna Broome, Associate Dean of Student Affairs & Recruitment

Award Selection Committee:

  • Dr. Brian Akerley, Microbiology and Immunology
  • Dr. Timothy Dasinger, Clinical Anatomy
  • Dr. Angela Duck, Nursing
  • Dr. Kevin Freeman, Biomedical Sciences: Neurobehavioral Sciences
  • Dr. Eric George, Physiology and Biophysics 
  • Dr. Michael Hebert, Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Dr. Candace Howard-Claudio, Biomedical Imaging Track
  • Dr. Audra Schaefer, Clinical Anatomy
  • Dr. Susana Salazar Marocho, Biomedical Sciences – PhD 
  • Dr. Joshua Speed, MD-PhD
  • Dr. Eric Vallendar, Neuroscience
  • Dr. Jan Williams, Experimental Therapeutics and Pharmacology

Recipients:

  • Xing Fang – 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.
  • Xi Wang – 2024 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.
  • Ashley Griffin – 2024 Regions Outstanding Graduate Research Award
    • This award is in recognition of outstanding research accomplishments by a graduate student.
  • Olufunto Badmus, PhD – 2024 Postdoctoral Fellow Award
    • This award is in recognition of an outstanding postdoctoral fellow.
  • Nathan Campbell – 2024 Regions Randall Graduate Research Award
    • This award is in recognition of outstanding research accomplishments by a graduate student.
Closing Remarks and Thanks
  • LoRose Moore, Regions Bank
  • Dr. Sheila Henderson, Major Gifts Officer, Institutional Advancement
  • 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
  • Dr. Lee Bidwell, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research
  • Office of Alumni Engagement
  • YOU, our Graduates, and Awardees

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Acknowledgments

Thank You!

  • 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
  • Dr. Sheila Henderson, Major Gifts Officer, Institutional Advancement
  • Dr. Lee Bidwell, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research
  • Office of Alumni Engagement

Program Directors

  • Dr. Brian Akerley, Microbiology and Immunology
  • Dr. Angela Duck, Nursing
  • Dr. Kevin Freeman, Biomedical Sciences: Neurobehavioral Sciences
  • Dr. Eric George, Physiology and Biophysics 
  • Dr. Michael Hebert, Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Dr. Candace Howard-Claudio, Biomedical Imaging Track
  • Dr. Audra Schaefer, Clinical Anatomy
  • Dr. Susana Salazar Marocho, Biomedical Sciences – PhD 
  • Dr. Joshua Speed, MD-PhD
  • Dr. Eric Vallendar, Neuroscience
  • Dr. Jan Williams, Experimental Therapeutics and Pharmacology

Graduate School Administration

  • Dr. Sydney Murphy, Dean 
  • Dr. Audra Schaefer, Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs
  • Joshua Hardy, Director of Operations
  • Melody Turner, Project Manager
  • Andrea Love, Education Administator

Special Thanks

  • LoRose Moore, Regions Bank

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Where Our PhD Graduates Are Going:

United States

  • Alabama – Kayla Pavlick and Allie Smith
  • Georgia - Mary Carr
  • Maryland - Kristianna Felch
  • Massachusetts - Jake Valeri
  • Mississippi – Bridget Konadu, Xing Fang, Oheneba Boadum, Dr. Katheryn Lett, Aubri Hickman, Nathan Campbell, Margaret Calcote, Melissa Klamm, and Anna Scasny
  • Missouri – Ashley Griffin
  • New York - Ubong Ekperikpe
  • Pennsylvania – Marli Crabtree

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