Department of Medicine 2026 Research Symposium

19th Annual Research Symposium

Oral Presentations during the annual Department of Medicine Research Symposium

Izabela Abissi, D.O., presenting her poster during the annual Department of Medicine's Research Symposium

Poster Presentations at the annual Department of Medicine Research Symposium

Nancy Hagood, M.D., presenting at the annual Department of Medicine Research Symposium

Presentations during the Annual Research Symposium.

Kate Glorioso presenting her research during the Department of Medicine Research Symposium poster session.

Department of Medicine Research Symposium poster presentations

Presenter during the Department of Medicine Research Symposium Poster Session.

On April 17, 2026, the MUSC Department of Medicine held it's 19^th annual Research Symposium, recognizing our remarkable investigators comprised of faculty, residents, fellows, research staff, and students, who shared their innovative work. This year, 38 abstracts were presented, showcasing work from across our academic community:

8 by medical students
15 by residents/fellows
5 by staff scientists/research specialists
4 by junior faculty
3 by graduate students
3 by post doc fellows

Four abstracts received oral presentation awards and 7 participants were recognized with research poster awards.

Oral Abstract Presenters

Department of Medicine Research Symposium Podium Presenters Sean Jones, MD PHD, Lindsey Havenga, Brennan Winkler, and Helen Butler, PHD.

Congratulations to our Oral Abstract Presenters:

Sean Jones, M.D., Ph.D.
Gastroenterology & Hepatology Fellow
Department of Medicine
Category: Resident/Fellow
Mentor: Garth Swanson, M.D., MS
Title: “Central Circadian Misalignment by Night Shift Work and Colonic Barrier Integrity in Ulcerative Colitis”

Lindsey Havenga, M3
Medical Student, MUSC
Category: Medical Student
Mentors: Leonidas Walthall, M.D. and Meghan Thomas, M.D.
Title: “Digital Self Reporting Tool to Measure Inpatient Mobility Goal Achievement”

Brennan Winkler
Graduate Student
MUSC College of Graduate Studies
Category: Graduate Student
Mentor: Josh Lipschutz, M.D.Title: “Beta 2 adrenergic receptor agonists as a treatment for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)”

Helen Butler, Ph.D., MS
Postdoctoral Fellow
Nephrology, Department of Medicine
Category: Postdoctoral Fellow
Mentor: Justin Van Beusecum, Ph.D.
Title: “Non-Canonical Endothelin System Activation by Autoantibodies as a Mechanistic Pathway to SLE-Associated Vascular Dysfunction”

Poster Award Winners

Samadhi Thavarajah, Kayla Adler, and Kathryn Glorioso, accept their awards from Jim Oates, M.D. Award winners not pictured: Hasna Karim, Zachary Patel, M.D., Clarence Silvis, D.O., and Nancy Hagood, M.D.

Congratulations to our Poster Presentation Winners in the following categories:

Medical Student Category:

Samadhi Thavarajah
Research Type: Clinical
Mentor: Ryan Tedford
Abstract: Exercise Produces Greater Hemodynamic Changes than Dobutamine: Results from Right Heart Catheterization Studies

Hasna Karim
Mentor: Courtney Harris
Abstract: A Retrospective Analysis of Co- and Superinfections with COVID-19 in the Post-Omicron Era

Research Coordinator Category:

Kayla Adler
Mentor: Blaithin McMahon, M.D.
Abstract: In Vivo Assessment of Nafamostat, a Novel Regional Anticoagulant in a Porcine Model of AKI and CRRT

Graduate Student Category:

Kathryn Glorioso
Mentor: Oleg Palygin, Ph.D.
Abstract: Functional evaluation of AT2R agonists in human podocytes

Resident/Fellow Category:

Zachary Patel, M.D., PGY-2 Resident
Mentor: Anthony Carnicelli, M.D.
Abstract: Device-Related Adverse Events and Outcomes in Patients with Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support Placed at Referral Centers Versus Cardiogenic Shock Hub Centers: An Observational Analysis

Clarence Silvis, D.O., PGY-2 Resident
Mentor: Denise Sese, M.D.
Abstract: PERTinent Pathways: Optimizing Outcomes Through Appropriate PERT Utilization in Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Clinical Junior Faculty Category:

Nancy Hagood, M.D.
Mentor: Marc Heincelman, M.D., MPH
Abstract: Where Are We Now? Estimating the Impact of Admission Source on Risk of In-Hospital Mortality

Keynote Presentation:

Carol Feghali-Bostwick, Ph.D., Distinguished University Professor SmartState and Kitty Trask Holt Endowed Chair for Scleroderma Research, Department of Medicine, with Jim Oates, M.D., Vice Chair for Research, Department of Medicine, MUSC

Invited speaker Carol Feghali-Bostwick, Ph.D., Distinguished University Professor, SmartState and Kitty Trask Holt Endowed Chair for Scleroderma Research, is presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by Jim Oates, M.D., Vice Chair for Research.

Our keynote speaker, Carol Feghali-Bostwick, Ph.D., Distinguished University Professor of Medicine, SmartState and Kitty Trask Holt Endowed Chair for Scleroderma Research, delivered an inspiring talk titled “All Roads Lead to Collagen,” in which she shared her journey as a clinical investigator, highlighting the challenges, obstacles, and perseverance in finding solutions along the path to discovery.

Dr. Feghali-Bostwick leads a team of clinical and basic scientists focusing on the pathogenic mechanisms underlying fibrosis whose goal is to identify novel targets for therapy and develop new anti-fibrotic strategies for scleroderma/systemic sclerosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and other fibrosing conditions.

Her groundbreaking work in fibrosis and systemic sclerosis, marking her commitment to transforming cutting-edge research into tangible technologies that benefit society has earned her numerous honors, including the National Scleroderma Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award (2024) and induction into the National Academy of Inventors (2023), the highest professional distinction for academic inventors.

A Special Thank You

In addition, we would like to especially thank and recognize this year’s judges (listed below) who contributed their time and effort to make the 19th Annual Department of Medicine Research Symposium a successful event.