A record 66 UF College of Medicine students presented their findings at the 2011 Annual Medical Student Research Day April 8.

The number of projects nearly doubled from last year, which had 38 posters, according to Gregory Schultz, Ph.D., director of the college’s medical student research program and a professor of obstetrics and gynecology. Research topics covered everything from a study of wound care in Peru to an investigation of melanoma biopsies, involving both Shands at UF and H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center patients.

Many of the projects were part of a 10-week summer research program that many students complete before starting their second year of medical school. Ten medical students conducted research in conjunction with the university’s four-week International Summer Research Program that takes place in collaboration with a clinic in Cusco, Peru.

Awards went to seven projects including:

Christopher Favilla – AOA Award ($1,000)

“Sulfonylurea Use Does Not Influence Stroke Severity of Long-term Functional Outcome”

James Melotek – Lawrence M Goodman Award, 1st place ($750)

“Coronary Artery Pediatric Heart Transplant Evaluation Using CT (CAPHTECT) Study”

Daniel Witter– Lawrence M Goodman Award, 2nd place ($500)

“Clinical Tests as Predictors of Driving Performance in Parkinson’s Disease Patients”

Bri Anne McKeon– Lawrence M Goodman Award, 3rd place ($400) (tie)

“Exploring the Prevalence and Perception of Alcoholism among Indigenous Peruvians: 2011 Update”

Cristos Ifantides – Lawrence M Goodman Award, 3rd place ($400)

“Gymnasium Equipment Surfaces are Not a Source of Community Staphylococcal Infections”

Rony Francois – Tanous Cancer Award ($500)

“Shave Biopsy is a Safe and Accurate Method for the Initial Evaluation of Melanoma”

Eva Vertes – Tanous Cancer Award ($500)

“Mesothelin expression promotes an aggressive phenotype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)”