Annual Research Day Highlights Innovation and Discovery

By Office of the President | Mar 31, 2026

Downstate’s recent Annual Research Day showcased the ideas and discoveries shaping our future, with 152 presentations from students, residents, fellows, and postdoctoral trainees. Poster sessions and oral presentations spanned basic science, public health, clinical care, and quality improvement, all focused on addressing real challenges in healthcare.

The day provided opportunities for presentations of work, receiving feedback, and learning from one another, strengthening ideas, improving communication, and building new connections. Faculty judges noted that this year’s presentations were strong and highly competitive, with close scoring across categories reflecting the overall quality of the work.

The Ma and Su Awards recognized outstanding student research across oral and poster presentations. We are proud to recognize this year’s award recipients.

Oral Presentations
First Place: Fathema Uddin, Molecular and Cellular Biology
Second Place: Maria Mia Carmencita Yabut Wiese, Molecular and Cellular Biology
Third Place: Tadeusz Wroblewski, Neural and Behavioral Science

Poster Presentations
First Place: Xiang Li, Molecular and Cellular Biology
Second Place: Jenessa Holder, Neural and Behavioral Science
Third Place: Tyler Lu, Molecular and Cellular Biology

These awardees reflect the strength of our research programs and a shared commitment to advancing knowledge and addressing critical needs in health and medicine.

The Ma and Su Awards are made possible through the continued generosity of Joe Ma, Ph.D. ’89, and Sophie Su, Ph.D. ’90, alumni of the School of Graduate Studies. In addition to supporting these awards, they underwrote the poster board production for this year’s presentations. Their sustained investment supports student research and reinforces a culture of academic excellence and discovery.

The day’s keynote speaker, Laufey Amundadottir, Ph.D., Senior Investigator at the National Cancer Institute, focuses on improving early detection and treatment of pancreatic cancer, one of the most difficult cancers to diagnose and treat. Her work also highlights equity, as late diagnoses disproportionately affect patients with limited access to care. By advancing earlier detection and deepening understanding of risk, her research has the potential to improve outcomes and reduce disparities in communities too often diagnosed too late.

Annual Research Day remains a defining moment in our academic year, strengthening our research community and advancing work that is focused, relevant, and impactful.

Tags: Research