Child Health Research Center 36th Annual Research Symposium Highlights Pediatric Research Discoveries

Child Health Research Center Research Day.

from left: R. Ariel Gomez, MD; Brian Belyea, MD; Madhusmita Misra, MD, MPH; Maria Luisa S. Sequeira-Lopez, MD; W. Gerald Teague, MD; and Mark DeBoer, MD

The Child Health Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, hosted the 36^th Annual Research Symposium on May 30, 2024. The renowned event kicked off with an invigorating keynote lecture by Madhusmita Misra, MD, MPH, titled “My Journey from Bone to the Brain.” Dr. Misra is the Benjamin Armistead Shepherd Professor and Chair of Pediatrics; Physician-in-Chief, UVA Health Children’s; and Fritz Bradley Talbot and Nathan Bill Talbot Professor of Pediatrics, Emerita, Harvard Medical School. R. Ariel Gomez, MD, Director, Child Health Research Center, introduced Dr. Misra and provided welcome remarks.

After the keynote lecture, attendees enjoyed innovative research poster presentations by faculty and trainees in the UVA Battle Building main lobby. The top three scholars recognized in the poster competition were Jesus Neyra, 1^st place, and Binjie Xue and Lucas F. Almeida, who tied for 2^nd place. Amanda Lulu’s poster was recognized as “Most Impactful” and Christian Roig-Laboy’s poster was designated “Most Innovative.”

Following the poster session, faculty members, trainees, and friends attended a packed house awards ceremony that celebrated individual achievements in pediatric research.

Maria Luisa S. Sequeira-Lopez, MD, the Harrison Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, was this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner for her numerous contributions to the world of nephrology research and her contributions to the UVA community. The award was presented by W. Gerald Teague, MD, Associate Director, Child Health Research Center.

Also recognized during the awards ceremony were some exceptional trainees: Kelsey Sullivan, Kendig Award winner, and Sage Timberline the Hiroko Nishimura Award winner. Additionally, winners of the Research Day Trainee Competition held on May 17, Maria Marlicz, Hiroki Yamaguchi, and Manako Yamaguchi, presented their work.

Research Day concluded with participants attending a small group discussion with Dr. Misra titled “Making the most of Mentorship and Sponsorship in your Research Career,” which examined how to further future aspirations in pediatric research.

The research symposium was featured on the local NBC29 news and on TV stations nationally.