Awards

The Scott Neil Schwirck Fellowship
James Byrne, “Overcoming Barriers: Electric Field-Assisted Delivery Devices for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer”

This fellowship was established in memory of Scott Neil Schwirck, Class of 1993. Scott’s enthusiasm for science and his good character were well recognized during his tenure here and the fellowship recognizes students who demonstrate similar qualities of intellectual vigor, enthusiasm for science and research, and desire to help others. A faculty committee selects the fellowship recipient.

The Harold C. Pillsbury, M.D. Student Research Awards
Best Basic Science Poster
Christina Lee, “Notch signaling functions as a cell-fate switch between the endothelial and hematopoietic lineages.”
Senyene Hunter, “DNA Double Strand Break Repair in Human Mitochondrial Extracts”

Best Clinical Science Poster
Kimberly Niles Newton, “The effect of infant feeding on maternal affect, cardiovascular and autonomic regulation in post-partum women”
William Kesler, “Decreasing complications in external fixation pins via time-released nitric oxide coatings”

Basic Science Talk
Klara Klein, “Determining the role of CXCR7 in Adrenomedullin Signaling”

Clinical/Public Health Talk
Samuel Ross, “Trauma Patient Mortality at a Level 1 Trauma Center: Is Inter-hospital Transfer Associated with Adverse Patient Outcomes?”

The Harold C. Pillsbury Student Research Awards are made possible by a generous gift from Dr. Pillsbury, Chair of the UNC Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, faculty sponsor for the John B. Graham Student Research Society, and respected mentor for medical students. A native of Baltimore, Dr. Pillsbury earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from George Washington University and completed his residency in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at the University of North Carolina, joining the faculty here in 1982 after six years at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Pillsbury has served as president of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Triological Society. His professional interests include otology, neurotology, skull base surgery, head and neck tumors, and cochlear implantation. Award recipients are selected by faculty judges. 

The Michiko Kuno Research Award
Stephen Vance – “Health Care Accessibility Barriers for the North Carolina Hispanic Population”

Friends of Michiko Kuno established this award to honor her kindness and zest for life, as well as her vibrancy and elegance. She immigrated to the United States from Japan in 1958 and made many friends among families associated with medical research during her fifteen years in Chapel Hill. She was the wife of former UNC Professor of Physiology and internationally distinguished neuroscientist, Motoy Kuno. Her son Ritsu graduated from the UNC School of Medicine in 1988. The award recipient is selected by faculty judges.

About Research Day
The Ralph R. Landes Lecture
Ralph R. Landes, M.D. of Danville, Virginia, was a clinical professor of Surgery and former historian of the American Urological Society. The fund named in his honor enables the school to invite a renowned investigator to teach and to interact with students of the School of Medicine and inspire them to continue their interest and participation in research.

About the John B. Graham Medical Student Research Society
The Society was established in 1987 to recognize and promote the research efforts of the student body at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in both the basic and clinical sciences. Each year students whose abstracts are accepted for poster or slide presentations at Student Research Day are inducted. Throughout the year, members exchange ideas and share their experiences about conducting research. In addition, the Society serves to encourage collaboration with faculty to promote productive research opportunities for students.

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