Graduate students taught participants about a variety of skills involved in research.
Discover Medicine is a monthly program that invites local high school students to spend the day at UVA School of Medicine to get an introduction to different medical fields and research. This program is run by the UVA School of Medicine’s Student National Medical Association (SNMA) and the UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The Discover Medicine program hosted around twenty-five high school students from Charlottesville and Monticello High Schools on January 29, 2025 to learn about the musculoskeletal (MSK) system and ongoing biomedical research at the UVA Cancer Center. The clinical portion of the day was led by UVA medical students John Quezada and Anjola Yoyon, who introduced the MSK system and the basics of conducting a MSK history and exam to determine a diagnosis through interactive demonstrations.
Participants learned about the value of model organisms like mice.
In the afternoon, the participants learned about a range of research tools and techniques used by members of the UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center. Graduate students from the Bauer, Dudley, Gioeli, Kashatus, Zong and Agaisse labs taught participants about a variety of skills involved in research such as image analysis and molecular techniques, and the value of model organisms like mice.
Discover Medicine is a year-long program designed to have an enduring impact on the local community by providing opportunity for early exposure to medicine, research, longitudinal mentorship, and community service. Discover Medicine is grateful for all of the volunteers and students that participated in this event.
Please reach out to James Mbualungu or Lucy Pemberton, PhD, if you are a medical or BIMS student and would like to volunteer for future events. Participants will return at the end of February to learn about dermatology and associated cancers such as melanoma.
Filed Under: Community, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Education