YSM Students Showcase Research Excellence at the 38th Annual Student Research Day

“Watching our students persevere and prevail in asking important questions to meaningfully advance science and medicine is nothing short of inspiring,” said Sarwat Chaudhry, MD, associate dean for student research, as she welcomed attendees to the 38th annual Student Research Day on May 5. The annual tradition celebrates the research accomplishments of Yale School of Medicine (YSM) students.

The day opened with a scientific poster session featuring research from students in the MD and MD-PhD programs. Topics included fundamental immunology, translational studies of human biology and physiology, human genomics, and how to make lifesaving therapies more affordable.

“Our students’ research accomplishments highlight not only the diversity of their scientific interests but also their collective commitment to improving health outcomes for the patients we serve,” said Erica Herzog, MD, PhD, associate dean for student research.

“Whatever career path they pursue, they take with them the skills and mindsets that drive innovation and impact.”

The Lee E. Farr, MD, Lectureship was given by Huda Zoghbi, MD, distinguished service professor at Baylor College of Medicine. The lectureship aims to inspire students to pursue leadership and excellence in medical and scientific education.

“Dr. Zoghbi exemplifies these ideals as a physician-scientist whose discoveries have fundamentally transformed our understanding of the genetic basis of neurological disease,” noted Nancy J. Brown, MD, Jean and David W. Wallace Dean of the Yale School of Medicine in her opening remarks.

“Among her most influential discoveries was the identification of mutations in the MECP2 gene as the cause of Rett syndrome, a breakthrough that transformed the field of neurodevelopmental genetics and opened new avenues for understanding how gene regulation shapes brain function.”

Zoghbi’s lecture explored her groundbreaking research on Rett syndrome and MECP2 disorders in young children.

This year’s John N. Forrest Jr., MD Prize for Mentorship in Student Research was awarded to Daniel Wiznia, MD, associate professor of orthopaedics and rehabilitation.

The award was established in honor of John N. Forrest, Jr., a scientist, mentor, and founder of the Office of Student Research at YSM. The award celebrates faculty who embody values of excellence, guidance, and unwavering support of student discovery.

As a mentor, Wiznia fosters curiosity, independence, and a deep sense of purpose in his mentees. He has built a vibrant, collaborative research environment for medical students, residents, and engineering trainees. He helps trainees turn ideas into meaningful scholarship through weekly research meetings and close, hands-on guidance.

Herzog noted that Wiznia has earned several nominations over the years and was thrilled to present him with the 2026 award.

To close the day, five graduating MD and MD-PhD students gave presentations during the Jill and Lee Goldman, MD ‘73 Plenary Scientific Session. Each student gave a ten-minute talk on their research followed by a brief Q&A.

• Nathaniel Bachtel MD-PhD ’26: “Intestinal mast cell control of behavioral and oral anaphylactic responses”

• Caroline Borden MD ’26: Insulin unaffordability: Scope, consequences, and policy solutions at a national scale”

• Katrine Madsen MD ’26: “Impact of HIF2alpha inhibition on T cell phenotype and function in renal cell carcinoma”

• Anne Mentzinger MD ’26: “Clinical utility of genetic evaluation in adults with unexplained cholestasis: A multicenter study”

• Katie Stoehr MD ’26: “Impact of pharmacologic interventions on cerebral autoregulation after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage”