OCOM Hosts 2nd Annual Research Symposium Showcasing Student Innovation and Scholarly Excellence
WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – The Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) proudly hosted its 2nd Annual Research Symposium, bringing together student doctors, faculty, and healthcare leaders to celebrate innovation, inquiry, and academic excellence in osteopathic medicine.
This year’s symposium featured seventy student posters (OMS-I and OMS-II), six NextGenDO posters (high school students), and two faculty/resident posters (OCOM Residents at Palm Beach Department of Health) presenting original research through poster sessions, including five selected podium presentations highlighting exceptional scholarly work. The event served as a dynamic platform for students to explore critical topics shaping the future of healthcare while demonstrating OCOM’s growing commitment to research and discovery.
A highlight of the symposium was a keynote presentation from Dr. Mark Soliman, a board-certified colorectal surgeon affiliated with AdventHealth. His engaging and thought-provoking address focused on the critical role of research in advancing the field of colorectal surgery and improving patient outcomes.
Drawing from his clinical and surgical experience, Dr. Soliman emphasized how innovation, data-driven decision-making, and continued scholarly inquiry are essential to pushing the boundaries of modern medicine. He challenged students to think beyond the classroom and consider how research can directly influence surgical techniques, enhance quality of care, and ultimately lead to better outcomes for patients.
His keynote served as both an inspiration and a call to action, reinforcing the importance of integrating research into clinical practice early in a physician’s career.
Keynote Speaker - Mark Soliman, MD, FACS, FASCRS | Colorectal Surgeon - AdventHealth
“Our students continue to exceed expectations in their pursuit of knowledge and their commitment to advancing medicine,” said Dean and Chief Academic Officer. “The Research Symposium reflects the culture we are building at OCOM—one that prioritizes curiosity, collaboration, and impactful discovery.”
The symposium also showcased the impact of OCOM’s NextGen DO program, an initiative led by Class of 2028 student leaders Kenneth Quezada and Ledio Gjunkshi in partnership with Horizon High School and its biomedical sciences program. Through this collaboration, OCOM student doctors provided mentorship and guidance to high school students as they developed and presented a group research poster on a topic of their choice at the symposium. The participating students demonstrated an exceptional level of professionalism, intellectual curiosity, and academic rigor—surpassing expectations for their age group. Their work stood as a testament to the power of early exposure to medical education and research. OCOM proudly congratulates these outstanding students for their achievement and looks forward to the continued growth of the NextGen DO program.
NextGenDO Students from Horizon High School
Awards were presented across four research categories, recognizing outstanding student contributions:
Symposium Winners
Original Research
First Place: Poster 10 – Radhika Vatsa
Computational Characterization of the Apicoplast-Associated FIKK9.1 Serine/Threonine Kinase in Plasmodium falciparum
Second Place: Poster 5 – Alexander Uhlman
Spatial Heterogeneity in Healthcare Access Across Florida: Evidence for an Inverse Vulnerability-Proximity Relationship
Third Place: Poster 26 – Mariana Valdez
The Paradox of Preventive Coverage: Financial Barriers and Guideline Lags in Florida’s 2026 Healthcare Landscape
Bibliometric Analysis
First Place: Poster 9 – Nicole Lopez (not pictured)
Mapping the Global Landscape of Neonatal Sepsis Research: A Bibliometric Analysis (2016–2026)
Second Place: Poster 61 – Zoe Jo Van Beek
Mapping the Maternal Mind: Hotspots and Trends in Brain Plasticity Research
Third Place: Poster 24 – Tina Zamaku
From Skin to Systemic Inflammation: Mapping the Evolution of Psoriasis and Metabolic Syndrome Research
Case Report
First Place: Poster 11 – Sreepriya Gayam
Adult Supraglottic Edema Mimicking Ludwig's Angina: A Case Report
Second Place: Poster 38 – Alexa Kelman
Cutaneous Metastasis of Lung Adenocarcinoma at Prior Surgical Port or Chest Tube Site: A Case Report
Third Place: Poster 40 – Bryan Hon
The Great Mimic: Distinguishing Ischemic MINOCA from Takotsubo Syndrome in a Patient with Acute Psychosocial Stress
Systematic Review
First Place: Poster 66 – Muhammad Yamaan Khan
Rigid Sternal Fixation Versus Wire Closure in Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review of Postoperative Outcomes
Second Place: Poster 42 – Krishna Bhakta
Medication Burden and Clinical Risk in Infectious Disease and Geriatric Patients: A Systematic Review
Third Place: Poster 59 – Sahar Shafique
Prolonged Corticosteroid Use and the Risk of Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head
The symposium continues to grow as a cornerstone academic event at OCOM, reinforcing the institution’s mission to train the next generation of physicians who are not only compassionate clinicians, but also contributors to the advancement of medical knowledge.
About Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM)
Located in Winter Garden, Florida, OCOM is committed to training the next generation of caring and competent physicians with a strong emphasis on innovation, compassion, and community service. Through a focus on academic excellence, research, and hands-on clinical training, OCOM is advancing the field of osteopathic medicine and preparing students to make a meaningful impact in healthcare.
