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On April 11th, the annual Kenneth A. Suarez Research Day brought out the best of ������Ƶ’s student and faculty research. This year, the event was presented in both the Arthur Dobbelaere Science Hall and the campus Auditorium. The schedule of events featured 278 posters on display and in competition, as well as several presentations from ������Ƶ students and faculty researchers.

The event featured a keynote presentation from Linda Sangalli, D.D.S., M.S. Ph.D. (CDMI), Clinical Assistant Professor, visiting from the Downers Grove Campus. Dr. Sangalli presented “Exploring the Bidirectional Relationship between Sleep and Pain,” a presentation based on her research. Other oral presentations by selected students and faculty from a cross-section of Glendale Campus colleges took place throughout the day.

“Research isn’t just about discovery - it’s about applying findings to real-world situations,” says Christopher Burch (AZCOM ’27). “By learning how scientific advances translate into clinical practice, I can make better decisions, deliver innovative care, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.”

Kendall Clark (CHS-Glendale PT ’26) agrees. “������Ƶ consistently encourages students to engage in evidence-based practice, which is essential for delivering the highest quality care to future patients,” she says. “By grounding our education in research and literature, the University helps us build a strong foundation that supports both our current learning and future clinical decision-making. What I appreciate most is that this emphasis on research isn’t limited to the classroom or laboratory - it fosters a mindset of lifelong learning and adaptability. ������Ƶ is preparing us not just to be competent providers now, but to stay curious, informed, and open to growth throughout our careers.”

The annual Research Day is named in memory of Kenneth A. Suarez, Ph.D., who spent 25 years in ������Ƶ’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) and who conceptualized and implemented the annual event in 2002 to encourage student interest in academic research. The Research Day in Downers Grove will take place in May.

KAS Research Day Outstanding Poster Presentation Winners

Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine

• The Effects of A BH4 Supplement (Kuvan) on Vascular Function & Structure in a Mouse Model of Marfan Syndrome
  Kimberly Huynh, Brikena Gusek, Patrick Hunt, Sydney Birtell, Anna Stimpson, Sydney Birtell, Mitra Esfandiarei
• Clinical-Themed Escape Rooms: A Novel Case-Based Approach
  Nicholas Smith, Diba Mortazavi, Spencer Vroegop, Colton Lane, Milena Douglas, Avo Bosnoyan, Karleen King, John Ashurst, Layla Al-Nakkash
• The Impact of Tourniquet Use in Total Knee Arthroplasty
  John Peck
• Mending the Mother and the Muscle: An Osteopathic Approach to Abdominal Pain in Postpartum Diastasis Recti
  Taylor Forbeck, Christina Martin
• Pulmonary Point of Care Ultrasound: A Case Series
  Leah Sanford, Carly Ernst
• Anatomical Variation in Vertebral Level of Common Carotid Artery Bifurcation: Implications for Civilian and Military Clinical Settings
  Milena Douglas, Alexzander Rich, Jonathan Rozeboom, Matthew Mckoy, Colton Lane, Thalia Olson, Dureali Mirjat, Kianna Ruble, Harsh Patel, Eshwar Karupakula, Tim Campbell, Terry Ritzman, Heather Smith, Leigha Lynch
• Intraspecific Variation in Orbit Orientation of Lontra canadensis : Ecological and Functional Implications
  Austin Bay, Hansan Jones, Dominik Valdez, Christopher Heesy, Leigha Lynch

College of Health Sciences, Glendale Campus

• Fear of Falling: a Collaborative, Interdisciplinary Approach to Treatment
  Alexandra Uhren, Celeste Delap, Kate Jansen

College of Veterinary Medicine

• Looks like a duck, quacks like a duck: it's Avipoxvirus
  Emely Castelo, Jason Struthers, Alexandra Goe, Nicholas Haley, Jesse Bautista

College of Graduate Studies

• A Malpighian tubule phenotype in parkin mutant Drosophila melanogaster
  Samantha Chagolla, Krista Pearman, Gerald Call

Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine

• Vascular tumor of lower extremity: A case report and review of the literature
  Layla Galavotti, Isabel Bathke, Gianna Ruiz, Evelyn Heigh-Rosen

Arizona College of Optometry

• Contact Lens Discomfort and Dry Eye Across Age Groups
  Maryam Abbas, Jared Baldridge, Miriam Freeman, Kara Herman, Trae Megaffin, Melissa Rabe, Ammon Vaterlaus, Balamurali Vasudevan

College of Dental Medicine-Arizona

• Cyclic Fatigue Resistance in Three Brands of Endodontic Rotary Files
  Kimia Kashani, Gina Agostini-Walesch, Alexandra Pierre-Bez, John Mitchell, Virginia Wang, John Mitchell

College of Pharmacy, Glendale Campus

• Social Predictors of Ability to Perform Daily Activities Among United States Adults with Heart Disease or Cardiometabolic Risk Factors
  Christina Yamada, Kathleen Fairman, Elizabeth Pogge

Graduate Medical Education

• A Retrospective Analysis of Osteoporosis Treatment in Community Primary Clinics
  Sana Durrani-Simmons, MVMC

KAS Research Day Outstanding Oral Presentation Winners

• Predictors of Inadequate Emotional Support Among U.S. Adults Living with Cancer
  Lauren Hudson, Kelly Zeisel, Erin Raney, Kathleen Fairman
• Process development, characterization and immunogenicity of Schistosoma haematobium calpain-based vaccine antigens
  Karleen King, Brooke Hall, Deborah Molehin, Jenn Davis, Hollie Chiles, Darrick Carter, Sean A. Gray, Adebayo Molehin