Research @ UPIKE

The research program at KYCOM strives to serve as a continuation of the mission of the college and provide solutions for problems that are prevalent in the rural areas of Appalachia.

The combination of research, scholarship, and teaching are all valuable aspects needed in the training of osteopathic physicians. Student fellowships for research are available to KYCOM students in good academic standing.

In addition to providing valuable information to the medical community, students who participate in research, gain valuable information about experimental designs, data collection, and analysis as well as important techniques for biomedical research.

The research program at KYCOM aims to advance biomedical knowledge, give students opportunity to grow beyond the curriculum framework, and produce future physicians who will continue improving health in Appalachian communities.

The clinical research priority areas include osteopathic manipulative treatment, osteopathic patient care, clinical case research, community health research, and research for primary care in underdeveloped areas.

The biomedical science research priority areas include cancer prevention and treatment, cardiovascular physiology, aging of the immune system in the context of thymic structure and function, mammalian macroevolution, diabetes research, black lung, and medical education research

Malgorzata Simm, Ph.D., MSc
Research Interests:
Dr. Simm’s research tests the hypothesis that the residual function of the thymus persists in humans
until the end of life and plays a role in optimizing immune function. Because of a scarcity of human
tissue and a lack of standardized markers of thymic cellular activity in that age group, there is a
noticeable void in the knowledge about the function of the thymus in elderly humans. Dr. Simm’s group
conducts systematic studies on the immunological fitness of the thymus from elderly human body
donors used for gross anatomy training at KYCOM, whose age at the time of death spans 50 to 100+
years. Applying the immunocytochemistry techniques, Dr. Simm’s team found that at the time of death,
some individuals had a functional thymus with well-preserved thymic epithelium and thymocytes. The
team also reported that the involution process might occur unilaterally, thus preserving the function of
one of the thymic lobes until the end of life. Looking at the expression of genes mediating the organ’s
function in the young human population, the research team has found that these genes were also
expressed in some elderly individuals. Dr. Simm wants to determine if these genes’ protein products
may serve as molecular markers of thymic function in the late stage of human life. Dr. Simm’s research
is highly collaborative and student-oriented. The research team incorporates members of the KYCOM
Gross Anatomy and Immunology departments and Student Fellows.

Publications:
To see Dr. Simm’s publications from this and previous research projects, visit the bibliography at the
National Library of Medicine.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/14KAgwqly6EkP/bibliography/public/

Shumaila Hanif, Ph.D., MSc, MBA
Research Interests:
Tuberculosis remains the most serious global infectious disease caused by a single causative
microorganism, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). One-fourth of the world’s population has been
infected with MTB. Moreover, the incidence of co-infection with HIV and multiple and extensively drug-
resistant tuberculosis presents an imminent threat to global health. No new drugs have been launched
in over thirty years, and no new vaccines in 92 years. Consequently, the search for new drugs, vaccines,
and therapies, in general, is an urgent need in global health. Thus, Dr. Hanif’s research interest is in
Infectious Diseases, especially in developing new diagnostic methods, drugs, and vaccines for TB. Dr.
Hanif is also interested in educational research involving students. Dr. Hanif is working on three projects
as a Principle Investigator: “The usefulness of Micro-Immuno quick quizzes in preparing Osteopathic
Medical Students for COMLEX-USA Level 1.”; “Osteopathic Medical Student Preferences for PowerPoint Presentation Structure” and “Osteopathic Medical Student’s Preferences for Lecture Delivery.” Dr. Hanif also involves students in writing editorials, research reviews, book chapters, and case studies on
infectious diseases.

Publications:
1. Khan S, Zargaham MK, Lail A, Naqvi SF, Hanif SNM. Endogenous and Exogenous Natural Sources of
Inhibition of Arachidonic acid-induced Platelet aggregation. Phytopharmalogical Communications. 2022;
2. (https://rootspress.org/journals/index.php/PPC/article/view/47/475
2. Sydow E, Mustafa AS, Hanif A, Tunio J, Hanif SNM. Recent Updates on mRNA Vaccines. Vaccines 2022,
10, 1209. (https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10081209).
3. Hargrave A, Mustafa AS, Hanif A, Tunio JH, Hanif SNM. To dateStatus of HIV-1 Vaccines. Vaccines
(Basel). 2021; 9(9):1026. doi: 10.3390/vaccines9091026. PMID: 34579263; PMCID: PMC8471857.
4. Hargrave A, Mustafa AS, Hanif A, Tunio J, Hanif SNM. Book title: “Immunosuppression and
Immunomodulation.” Chapter title: “Immune Responses to HIV-1 Infection and Vaccine Development”
ISBN 978-1-83768-072-6. Book edited by Rajeev K. Tyagi. IntechOpen Publisher 2023.
(http://www.intechopen.com/books/immunosuppression-and-immunomodulation).
5. Whitlow E, Mustafa AS, Hanif SNM. Book title: “Vaccines for Neglected Pathogens: Strategies,
Achievements and Challenges.” Chapter title: “Progress in the Development of New Vaccines against
Tuberculosis.” Book edited by Myron Christodoulides. ISBN 978-3-031-24357-8 Springer Publisher, 1:
211-232 2023. (https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24355-4)

Guichun Han, M.D., Ph.D.
Research Interests:
Dr. Han’s research interests are in the fields of female hormone effects on the cardiovascular system
and breast cancers (wet lab approach) and the effects of osteopathic manipulation therapy (OMT) on
physiology and disease (human subjects). In the field of female hormones and the cardiovascular
system, Han’s research team (Drs. Bao, Bukhari, N. Ghayur, A. Ghayur) studies the role of individual
estrogen receptors in coronary blood flow regulation and the interplay of different receptor signaling
pathways. Han’s research team applies comprehensive research approaches in our investigation.
Isometric tension study for measuring vascular tension in a chamber that provides a controlled
environment for an arterial ring under study. Biochemistry and molecular biology approaches are
employed for investigating the molecular basis of functional changes. The crosstalk between ERα/ERβ
and GPER is the most significant area to explore in the field and the findings will shed light on the
current understanding of estrogen effects in the cardiovascular system and in most organs and tissues
where estrogen receptors present, thus, helping the prevention and treatment of the coronary heart
disease, especially in the high-risk population of older women. The breast cancer research project is a
collaboration research with Dr. Phillip Jen. In the field of OMT effects on physiology and disease, Han’s
research team (Drs. Stiles, Crawford, Lazenka) studies the effects of OMT on the autonomic nerve
activities and functional changes of the heart, blood vessels, lungs, and airways, skeletal muscles, and
memory.

Selected Publications:
1. Xuan Yu, Peter Nguyen, Nioka C Burns, Cristine L Heaps, John N Stallone, Farida Sohrabji, Guichun
Han. Activation of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor fine-tunes age-related decreased
vascular activities in the aortae of female and male rats. Steroids 2022 Jul;183:108997. doi:
10.1016/j. PMID: 35314416.
2. Yu X, Zhang Q, Zhao Y, Schwarz BJ, Stallone JN, Heaps CL, Han G. Activation of G protein-coupled
estrogen receptor 1 induces coronary artery relaxation via Epac/Rap1-mediated inhibition of
RhoA/Rho kinase pathway in parallel with PKA. PLoS One. 2017 Mar 9;12(3):e0173085. doi:
10.1371/journal. pone.0173085. eCollection 2017.
3. Yu X, Zhang Q, Zhao Y, Schwarz BJ, Stallone JN, Heaps CL, Han G. The activation of G protein-
coupled estrogen receptor induces relaxation via cAMP as well as potentiates contraction via
EGFR transactivation in porcine coronary arteries. PLoS One. 2018 Jan 23;13(1):e0191418. doi:
10.1371/journal.pone.0191418. eCollection 2018
4. Yan H, Yang W, Zhou F, Li X, Pan Q, Shen Z, Han G, Newell-Fugate A, Tian Y, Majeti R, Liu W4, Xu Y,
Wu C, Allred K, Allred C, Sun Y, Guo S. Estrogen Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Suppresses
Gluconeogenesis via the Transcription Factor Foxo1. Diabetes. 2018 Nov 28. pii: db180638. doi:
10.2337/db18-0638

Damian Cole D.O., FACEP, AAO
Research Interests:
Dr. Cole’s research focus will be related to Osteopathic Manipulative Treatments and how they relate to
the reduction of pain and potentially the reduction of opioid/non-opioid pharmacologic management of
acute and chronic pain. He also has a research interest in Quality Improvement. Subjects would include
any topics dealing with quality of care with respect to patients in any setting as well as the reduction of
medical errors, process improvement, throughput improvement, creation and implementation of
patient safety protocols, and analysis/improvement of current protocols to improve patient safety.
Another research interest will be any topics that deal with physician wellness and mental health. Topics
would include physician satisfaction, access to therapy, suicide prevention, and the impacts of poor
patient outcomes/deaths. The focus will be on improving and advocating for mental health in clinical
professionals.

David L. McWhorter, Ph.D.
Research Interests:
Dr. McWhorter’s scholarly work uses the scientific problem-solving method in medical education.
Independent and dependent study variables use experimental or descriptive techniques to maximize
internal and external validity to investigate and explain medical educator and student behaviors and
academic performance in the preclinical setting. Academic interests include answering questions that
have practical significance to medical educators and students and preparing medical students to
become proficient consumers and producers of medical education research.

Recent publications:
1. Hunter, J., Pierce, Z., Fleming, C., Haffner, J., Hudspeth, E., Bayird, S., and McWhorter, D. First-
year Medical Students’ Perceptions of a Peer-directed Simulated Anatomy Lab Practical System.
Clinical anatomy. 2019, 33: E80.
2. Schick, Garrett and McWhorter, D. Factors influencing non-required lecture attendance for first-
and second-year medical students. Clinical anatomy. 2020, 34: E84.
3. Schick, Garrett and McWhorter, D. Instructor Methods and Curricular Effects on Students’ Value
of Lectures. Med Sci Educator. 2021,32, 175-182.
4. Sarah A. Keim, Derek J. Harmon, James R. Martindale, Elisabeth N. Lopez, Charles Sanky,
William S. Brooks, Meghan M. Cotter, David L. Davies, Majid Doroudi, Jeffrey C. Fahl, Anna
Farias, Guinevere Granite, Kelly M. Harrell, Rekha Kar, Kenneth L. Kramer, Jon Jackson,
Shiloh Jones, Wendy Lackey-Cornelison, Jeffrey T. Laitman, Kimberly Latacha, Steven R.
Lewis, Amy Lovejoy Mork, Hassan Marzban, Thomas G. McNary, David L. McWhorter, Aftab
Merchant, Jason C. Mussell, Melissa M. Quinn, Danielle Royer, Alan Sakaguchi, F. Kip
Sawyer, Daniel B. Topping, Bruce Wainman, Lawrence E. Wineski, Ann C. Zumwalt, Mark H.
Hankin. Essential Anatomy for Clerkships: A Clinical Perspective. Anatomical Sciences
Education. March 2023. https://doi.org/10.1002/ase.2272
Antoinette Justice, D.O.
Dr. Justice’s research ideas are associated with expanding her research on pulmonary fibrosis with OMT
and also some other OMT studies.
https://ofpjournal.com/index.php/ofp/issue/view/104/29?userid=07f8a60a-140c-418e-ac7e-
e840f7f349c5

Anzhelika Ivasenko, MD, PhD
Research Interests:
The research interests of Dr. Ivasenko lie in the areas of medical humanities, proper ways to educate
patients about their health issues, and recommendations for healthy lifestyles. She will be applying
patients’ own stories as a context to create effective educational content. The design of her research
projects will be patient-specific and educational-centered. It is expected that the outcome of her
research will shed some light on existing patient education and improve the patient-doctor relationship,
as well as students’ communication skills and empathy.

Sujin Bao, Ph.D.
Research Interests:
Dr. Bao’s work has been focused on three lines of investigation. First, control of gene expression. This
project utilizes various model systems to study how genes coding for Nephrin and Neph-1 are regulated
and to identify the components of the Nephrin and Neph-1 signaling pathways. Nephrin and Neph-1 are
two transmembrane adhesion receptors and components of the slit diaphragm in the mammalian
kidney. Second, the roles of noncoding RNAs in memory. This project studies the expression patterns of
selected noncoding RNAs in hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex in mice before and after
learning. In addition, Dr. Bao’s team is working to deplete those noncoding RNAs that show unique
spatial and temporal expression patterns and assess their impact on memory using the standard
contextual fear conditioning (CFC) test. This project is carried out in collaboration with Dr. Dana Ziegler
from the University of Pikeville and Dr. Louise Risher from Marshall University. Third, methods to
improve student learning and methods to assess the success of medical curricula. This is educational
research focused on curriculum development and assessment. This project aims at identifying factors
that affect student learning, establishing assessment methods that have a lower variability and higher
sensitivity than conventional methods, and applying these methods to identify course deficits.

Selected Publications:
1. Sujin Bao* (2022). Use of simplex learning index to identify a course deficit. Advances in
Physiology Education 46, 509-515. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35834233/
2. Jie Ni, Sujin Bao, Ruth I Johnson, Bingbing Zhu et al (2016). MAGI-1 Interacts with Nephrin to
Maintain Slit Diaphragm Structure Through Enhanced Rap1 Activation in Podocytes. Journal of
Biological Chemistry 291, 24406-24417. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27707879/
3. Sujin Bao*, (2014). Cell adhesion in the assembly of the Drosophila eye. Journal of Neurogenetics
28, 282-290. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24678921/
4. Sujin Bao* (2014). Notch controls cell adhesion in the Drosophila eye. PLOS Genetics 10:
e1004087. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24415957/
5. Sujin Bao*, Qiang Zhuang, Libin Zhu, Lucia Wang, Ian Holzman, Pin-xian Xu and Jing Lin (2013).
Localization dynamics of lactobacilli in the gastro-intestinal tract of neonatal rats. PLoS One 8,
e60007. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23544119/

Les Keniston, Ph.D.
Research Interest:
Dr. Keniston’s main research focus has long been in the area of multisensory integration. In other words,
this research looks into exactly how different sensory modalities (like sight, sound, or touch) become
integrated as a unified experience in the nervous system. This emergent property of the nervous system
is found in both higher-order species like in man and in lower-order organisms like insects. A widely
conserved function, multisensory integration helps organisms make sense of the world around them,
helps determine cause and effect, enriches experiences, and aids in avoiding threats. More recently, Dr.
Keniston has been examining the functional properties of the neural architecture that performs these
integrations in both cortical and subcortical areas.
While maintaining a long interest and research effort in multisensory processing, Dr. Keniston is always
open to discussing new research ideas and holds wide interests. Some of his more favored areas include
Consciousness and Theory of Mind, Information and Graph theory, Nociception, Sensorimotor
Transform, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Emotional Affordance, and Neuroplasticity.

Selected Publications:
1. Chang S, Xu J, Zheng M, Keniston L, Zhou X, Zhang J, Yu L. Combining visual information into the
auditory cortex promotes sound discrimination through choice-related multisensory integration.
J Neurosci. 2022 Sep 22.
2. Lim HK, Keniston LP, Cios KJ. Modeling of multisensory convergence with a network of spiking
neurons: a reverse engineering approach. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2011 Jul;58(7):1940-9.
3. Keniston LP, Henderson SC, Meredith MA. Neuroanatomical identification of crossmodal
auditory inputs to interneurons in somatosensory cortex. Exp Brain Res. 2010 May;202(3):725-
31.
4. Allman BL, Keniston LP, Meredith MA. Adult deafness induces somatosensory conversion of
ferret auditory cortex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Apr 7;106(14):5925-30.
5. Mao J, Price DD, Lu J, Keniston L, Mayer DJ. Two distinctive antinociceptive systems in rats with
pathological pain. Neurosci Lett. 2000 Feb 11;280(1):13-6.
Pubmed list

Ishfaq A Bukhari, Ph.D., B.Pharm., M.S
Research Interests:
Dr. Bukhari’s research area is focused on exploring the role of Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), novel
endothelial products, in the regulation of vascular tone in the cardiovascular system. (EETs) are
cytochrome P450 metabolites of arachidonic acid that are produced by the vascular endothelium and
have diverse physiological actions including vasodilator, neuroprotective, renal and cardio-protective
properties. There are four EET isomers produced by the endothelium: 14,15EET, 11, I2-EET,8,9-EET, and
5,6-EET. EETs are metabolized to inactive DHET by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). Recent preclinical
and clinical studies have shown that sEH is overexpressed in certain disease states such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. sEH Inhibition enhances EETs function and it is a promising therapeutic target for the management of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Our recent research studies have revealed a substantial beneficial impact of the inhibition of this enzyme on obesity and diabetes-induced metabolic and cardiovascular complications in animal models. A growing number of research studies
have shown that sEH inhibition produced profound anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, coronary
dilator, renal and neuroprotective effects. Dr. Bukhari’s research interests also include natural product
pharmacology (Neuropharmacology, pain, and inflammation research) aimed at substantiating
medicinal plants/herbal products for their therapeutic potential in various health conditions and drug
discovery.

Selected publications:
1. Bukhari IA, Mohamed OY, Mahmood A, Alfadda AA, Almotrefi AA. 1- trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3(1-
propionylpiperidin-4-yl) urea (TPPU), a soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor attenuates high fat
diet-induced cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in rats. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2021
Jan;25(10):3835-3847.
2. Shah SA, Mehmood MH, Khan M, Bukhari IA, Alorainey BI, Vohra F. Inhibition of soluble epoxide
hydrolase offers protection against fructose-induced diabetes and related metabolic
complications in rats. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2020 Oct;71(5).
3. Bukhari IA, Alorainey BI, Al-Motrefi AA, Mahmoud A, Campbell WB, Hammock BD. 1-
trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3-(1-propionylpiperidin-4-yl) urea (TPPU), a soluble epoxide hydrolase
inhibitor, lowers L-NAME induced hypertension through suppression of angiotensin-converting
enzyme in rats. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2020 (15):8143-8150.
4. Bukhari IA, Shah AJ, Gauthier KM, Walsh KA, Koduru SR, Imig JD, Falck JR, Campbell WB. 11,12,20-
Trihydroxy-eicosa-8(Z)-enoic acid: a selective inhibitor of 11,12-EET-induced relaxations of bovine
coronary and rat mesenteric arteries. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2012 Apr 15;302(8):H1574-
83.
5. Bukhari IA, Shah AJ, Khan RA, Meo SA, Khan A, Gilani AH. Gut modulator effects of Conyza
bonariensis explain its traditional use in constipation and diarrhea. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.
2013 Feb;17(4):552-8.

Helen Ibeawuchi, M.D.
Research Interests:
Dr. Ibeawuchi focuses on advancing cancer research by applying computational biology and
bioinformatics tools for a more in-depth investigation of the molecular basis of diseases and cancer
genomics. This can be achieved by using current tools and methods for the analysis of large-scale
genomic data related to cancers and its comorbidities. Ibeawuchi has already demonstrated this in
her ongoing research project, where she has identified genes that escape X-chromosome inactivation
(XCI) in adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells. The research involved the use of single-cell RNA
sequencing (scRNA-seq) for the assessment of allele specific expression in individual cells with
subsequent identification of escapee genes. It utilized the advantage of scRNA-seq data to identify
different cell populations and stratified the analysis by cell types. The expressed variant allele fraction
at heterozygous single nucleotide variant positions on the X-chromosome were assessed and the
genes that escape XCI were identified. These included some genes not previously described as
escapees in other tissues. Currently, the project aims to identify the role of the escapee genes and
their association with clinical abnormalities. Since XCI is known to be heterogenous in different tissues,
this may be suggestive of a possible influence on phenotypic variance of X-linked single cell disorders
and female sex bias in many diseases including cancer. Understanding cancer genomics and
identifying cancers’ characteristics based on genetics can provide patients with a more precise
diagnosis and more personalized treatment modalities. Ibeawuchi collaborates with researchers at
George Washington University, National Cancer Institute, and other institutions.

Selected Publications:
1. N M P, Liu H, Dillard C, Ibeawuchi H, Alsaeedy T, Chan H, Horvath AD. Improved SNV Discovery in
Barcode-Stratified scRNA-seq Alignments. Genes (Basel). 2021 Sep 30;12(10):1558. doi:
10.3390/genes12101558.
2. Liu, H., Prashant, N. M., Spurr, L., Bousounis, P., Alomran, N., Ibeawuchi, H., Sein, J., Slowinski, P.
M., Tsaneva-Atanasova, K., & Horvath, A. (2021). ScReQTL: an approach to correlate SNVs to gene
expression from individual scRNA-seq datasets. BMC Genomics 22, 40.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-020-07334-y
3. Prashant, N. M., Hongyu Liu, Pavlos Bousounis, Liam Spurr, Nawaf Alomran, Helen Ibeawuchi,
Justin Sein, Dacian Reece-Stremtan, and Anelia Horvath. 2020. “Estimating the Allele-Specific
Expression of SNVs from 10x Genomics Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Data.”Genes 11 (3). MDPI AG.
doi:10.3390/genes11030240.
4. Sein J, Spurr L, Bousounis P, Prashant NM, Liu H, Alomran N, Bernot J, Ibeawuchi H, Reece-
Stremtan D, Horvath A. RsQTL: correlation of expressed SNVs with splicing using RNA-sequencing
data. Bioinformatics 2019. Under Review https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/840504v1

M. Nabeel Ghayur, PhD., B.Pharm., M.S
Research Interests:
Dr. Nabeel Ghayur has an interest in the area of medicinal plant pharmacology. Combining his experience with medicinal plants, Dr. Ghayur has worked with plants and plant-derived chemicals for their effectiveness in regulating smooth muscle contractility. His research interests have evolved but have remained within the umbrella of natural products pharmacology. From muscarinic agonists that can
stimulate the gastrointestinal (GI) tone to calcium channel blockers that not only can slow down the GI
tone but also have bradycardia as an effect and reduce the blood pressure. Most recently, while working
with muscarinic agonists, the research showed that some muscarinic agonists can also exhibit
acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. This observation led the researchers to look into the enzyme
inhibitory potential of certain plants and plant-derived chemicals that might actually have the potential
for use in dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Selected Publications:
1. Khalid A, Abdalla M, Saeed M, Ghayur MN, Kalauni SK, Al Bratty M, Alhazmi HA, Mesaik MA,
Gilani AH, Ul-Haq Z (2022). Sarcorucinine-D inhibits cholinesterases and calcium channels:
molecular dynamics simulation, and in vitro mechanistic investigations. Molecules 2022 May 24;
27(11): 3361.
2. Ghayur MN, Abdalla M, Khalid A, Ahmad S, Gilani AH (2022). Trigonella foenum-graecum
methanolic extract on isolated smooth muscles and acetylcholinesterase enzyme: an in vitro and
mechanistic in silico investigation. BioMed Research International 2022 Apr 5; 2022:4849464.
3. Ghayur MN, Gilani AH (2021). Species-specific spasmolytic effect of Aspalathus linearis aqueous
crude extract. Pharmacognosy Communications 11 (4): 205-209.
4. Ghayur MN, Ahmad S, Gilani AH (2021). Spasmolytic effect of Grewia asiatica fruit extract on
isolated smooth muscles is mediated via multiple pathways. Evidence Based Complementary
and Alternative Medicine 2021 Sep 13; 2021:5583372.
5. Ghayur MN, Butt NW, Parekh MA, Ahmad S, Gilani AH (2021). Gastrouterine smooth muscle
tone modulatory action of neem fruit extract is mediated via muscarinic receptors and Ca2+
channels. Pharmacognosy Communications 11(3): 162-167. DOI:10.5530/pc.2021.3.31

1. Dr. Yomi Afolabi MD, MHA, Ph.D.
   Research interest:
   Dr. Afolabi’s area of research is focused on how anatomical variation in human
   cadaveric dissection has furthered clinical practice, with a continued interest in such applicable research.
   The human anatomy despite being similar has subtle variations which impact the practice of medicine,
   such variation is commonly found post-mortem. With documentation, such variation can be better
   anticipated, and the knowledge utilized in clinical practice. More recently Dr. Afolabi has been examining
   research areas in Medical Education, cadaveric dissections- the Incidence of the absence of the palmaris
   longus and plantaris in cadaveric specimens, and in osteopathic clinical practice- the physiologic changes
   in osteopathic clinical manipulations.

   Selected Publications:
   1. Abayomi Gbolahan Afolabi, Adegbenro Omotuyi John Fakoya, Emilio Aguinaldo, Natalia M
   Velasco-Nieves, Erica Barnes, Zachary T Vandeveer, Nannette Morales-Marietti, , Thomas
   McCracken. A unique communicating arterial branch between the celiac trunk and the superior
   mesenteric artery: a case report, July 2022. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences
   PMCID: PMC6698107 PMID: 31456840
   2. Abayomi Gbolahan Afolabi, Adegbenro Omotuyi John Fakoya, Neha Subedi, Jennifer Beniquez
   Martir, Byron Chique Carreras, Thomas McCracken. Anomalous Origin of the Superior Thyroid
   Artery from the Internal Carotid Artery. Feb 2021. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical
   Sciences. doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2021.4549
   3. Abayomi Gbolahan Afolabi, Adegbenro Omotuyi John Fakoya, Emilio Aguinaldo, Natalia M
   Velasco-Nieves, Zachary T Vandeveer, Nannette Morales-Marietti, Shannon Mathew, , Thomas
   McCracken. Unusual splitting of medial cord of the right brachial plexus and its relation to the
   axillary artery and subscapular artery: A case report. Jun 2019. Open Access Macedonian Journal
   of Medical Sciences PMCID: PMC6684438 PMID: 31406546 doi: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.561
   4. Abayomi Afolabi, Adegbenro Omotuyi John Fakoya, Luis Manuel Perez-Protocarrero, Yulia
   Kungurova, Mariana Ndrio, Xiomara Marty-Ramirez, Derek Mizael Rodriguez-Pinero, Luis Eduardo
   Rentas-Figueroa, Nahu Gulelat Dimitri, Juan Manuel Collzao-Roman, Graham Robert Demsey-
   Corbett, Thomas McCracken, David Otohinoyi. Multiple Gastrointestinal Vascular Variations in a
   Male Cadaver: A Case Report and Literature Review of Embryonic, Genetic, and Clinicosurgical
   Implications of Pathogenicity. Aug 2020, Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences
   5. Abayomi Afolabi, Adegbenro Fakoya, Jessica Heymans, Amanda McCrary, Omar Rodriguez, Abdiel
   Cardona, Thomas McCracken. Hyperostosis frontalis interna: A case report. July 2020, Journal of
   Health Sciences doi.org/10.17532/jhsci.2020.903

One of the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM) research program aims is that it is student-led.

The program seeks to reinforce KYCOM’s mission statement by encouraging students to participate in research and cultivating an appreciation of lifelong scholarly activity by providing students with the opportunity to learn research techniques and practices. One of the ways this is accomplished is through the KYCOM summer research program.

KYCOM students can apply for the summer research program through the KYCOM Student Research Application. Students selected for the summer research program will receive a stipend and work closely with a UPIKE mentor faculty member throughout the summer.  They can also find their mentor outside the university if they desire.  Students wishing to seek an outside mentor should complete the Student’s Research Information for Projects Conducted Outside UPIKE-KYCOM.

As of the summer of 2022, KYCOM will fund 15 students for the summer research program.  Students work with very knowledgeable faculty that will assist them and ensure that the research is successful.

Students have an opportunity to present their research work at regional, national and international conferences and during KYCOM Research Day.

Prospective students are encouraged to view the faculty research tab to discover topics of interest.

Students Summer Research:

2023:

• •Matthew Biernat, OMS-1: Role of Non-coding RNAs in Memory Formation
  • Chan Kafkalia, OMS-1: Temporal and Spatial Expression of Non-coding RNA in the Mouse Brain
  • Astrid Swensen, OMS-1: Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Sesame Oral Immunotherapy in a Sesame-Allergic
  • Alex Graham, OMS-1: Osteopathic Manipulation Treatment Effectiveness for Dysautonomia: A Pilot Study
  • Ian Clapp, OMS-1: Finding Predictors of Functional Thymus in Elderly Human Populations Through Evaluation of FoxN1 Gene Expression
  • Kieran Gormley, OMS-1: In Their Own Words: Improving Patient-Provider Communication about Chronic Diseases of Rural Appalachia Through Narrative Medicine
  • Kloie Doublin, OMS-1: Urinary Incontinence Among Young, Elite, Female Powerlifters
  • Chase McAninch, OMS-1: 20-Year Qualitative Outcome Study Of Femoral Hip Fractures Repaired both Operatively and Non-Operatively
  • David Rafacz, OMS-1: Effect of Chronic Stress Implicating Depression and Anxiety on Retinal Integrity
  • Ryan Menapace, OMS-1: A Qualitative Study on Perceived Well-Being of Medical Students
  • Thomas Eggleston, OMS-1: Determination of X-Inactivation Escape by DMD, XPO7, LINC01545, and JADE and Their Role in Endometrial Tumorigenesis.
  • Nicole Werner, OMS-1: Disruption of X Chromosome Inactivation in Ductal and Lobular Breast Neoplasms with abnormal ATM gene
  • Olivia Vick, OMS-1: Dual effect of G-protein estrogen receptor (GPER) on porcine coronary artery relaxation
  • Ayah Badawy, OMS-1: The Prevalence of Absence of Palmaris Longus and Plantaris Muscles in Cadaveric Specimen
  • Ashley Wahlman, OMS-1: Identifying Clinical and Behavioral Factors Associated with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) Risk in Adolescents Living in Households with Adults Who Have Been Diagnosed with Cardiometabolic Disorders

2022:

• Arham Siddiqui, OMS-1: Determining the role of glucocorticoid signaling on oral cancer development and metastasis
• Brandon Wind, OMS-1: Virtual Reality: Its effect on physical activity intensity and pain sensitivity
• Connor Colby, OMS-1: Effects of osteopathic manipulative treatments on cardiac function
• Chandrika Janumpalli, OMS-1: Determining maximum age for continued thymopoiesis in remaining thymic tissue
• Jennifer Perrault, OMS-1: Measuring thalamic microelectrode recordings and peripheral nerve stimulation in deep brain stimulation patients
• Joshua Nowicki, OMS-1: Effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment on pulmonary function
• Loukas Georgiou, OMS-1: Malignant spinal cord compression: clinical presentation, time course, imaging, and predictive factors
• Ling Lin, OMS: Validation of Kigali modification to the Berlin definition for the diagnosis of ARDS in Covid-19 pneumonia
• Meera Khatri, OMS-1: Sex differences in treatment outcomes for atrial fibrillation: a retrospective chart analysis
• Reshma Mandava, OMS-1: Psuedolaric acid B(PAB) mediated ROS generation causes apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells
• Sydney Amick, OMS-1: Understanding the Structure and Function of Thymus in Postpubescent Human Subjects

2021:

• Benjamin Elliot, OMSI: Pharmacological basis for the therapeutic use of traditionally used medicinal plants in gastrointestinal disorders.
• Deea Das, OMSI: Effect of pseudolaric acid B (PAB) on angiogenesis in pancreatic cancer
• Jason Tey, OMSI: Effects of E26 avian erythroblastosis virus transcription factor (ETS)-1 inhibition on hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula (AVF) development in ETS-1 heterozygous knockout rats.
• Jay Patel , OMSI: Significance of Malnutrition of Mother in Fetal Lung Development and Surfactant Deficiency in Preterm Infants.
• Jessica Jurak, OMSI: The Risk of Heart Disease in Patients with Epithelial Ovarian Cancer due to Fluctuations in Estrogen Productions.
• Megan Hennon, OMSI: Relationship of middle ear ossicle morphologies to the conductance of sound at different frequencies.
• Naushair Hussain, OMSI: Pseudolaric acid B (PAB) reverses pancreatic cancer chemoresistance by inhibition of Transforming Growth Factor β activates Kinase 1 (TAK 1) mediated activation of Nuclear Factor kB (NF-kB).
• Morteda Alaamari, OMS I: Characterizing the role of adiponectin in synovitis by immunohistochemical analysis of osteoarthritic tissue.
• Mahnoor Humayun , OMSI: The Long Term Effects of Early Life Stress on Anxiety Related Behavior and Potential Therapy
• Pranuthi Kanneganti, OMSI: Understanding the structure and function of Thymus in Postpubescent Human Subjects
• Rachel Chauvin, OMSI: Investigating the severity of initial COVID-19 effects on lung function on individuals with pre-diagnosed COPD and related disorders in Pike County”
• Richaela Denlinger, OMSI: Understanding the Structure and Function of Thymus in Postpubescent Human Subjects

2020:

• Matthew Talmage, OMS-1: The Incidence of Recurrent Subluxation of Paralytic Hip Subluxation after Reconstructive Bone Surgery in CP: Is Open Reduction Required?
• Lyudmyla Shymkiv, OMS-1: Genomic effects on Drosophila with Dietary induced Diabetic Cardiomyopathy
• Taylor Reardon, OMS-1: Developing anti-inflammatory treatment for neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage
• Raquel Rudy, OMS-1: Genetic effects on Drosophila with diet-induced Diabetic Cardiomyopathy
• Christina Campbell, OMS-1: The effects of Pseudolaric acid B on the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in human lung cancer cells.
• Steven M. VanOver, OMS-1: Mock circulation of pediatric heart failure and treatment with mechanical circulatory support.
• David Cline, OMS-1: Pseudolaric acid B (PAB): A novel agent inhibits the pancreatic cancer chemo-resistance.
• Caleb Marsh, OMS-1: Teratogenic Effects of Over-the-Counter Medications on the Developing Embryo
• Preston Rippe, OMS-1: Allograft knee meniscal transplantation in the treatment osteoarthritis of the metatarsophalangeal (mtp) joint of the great toe

2019:

• Ayaz Gen, OMS-1: Selective Targeting of Cells in Zebrafish using Folate Mediated Photodynamic Therapy
• Brandon Hamm, OMS-1: Pseudolaric Acid (PAB) induces senescence with contribution from activation of p53 in pancreatic cancer cells
• Carlee Clemons, OMS-1: The Environmental Protection Agency’s EJSCREEN as a Predictor of Health Outcomes in Hamilton County, Ohio
• Elizabeth Reiner, OMS-1: Contributions of Apoptosis and Necroptosis to Ischemia/Reperfusion and DSS Colitis Induced Cell Death in TIPE0-/- Mice
• Jacob Sifers, OMS-1: Genomic effects on Drosophila with dietary induced Diabetic Cardiomyopathy
• Rathisha Pathmathasan, OMS-1: Addressing Breast Cancer Disparities Through Analysis of the Prevalence and Outcomes of Luminal B Subtype of Breast Cancer Among African American Women Compared to Caucasian Women using Data from Cancer Registries

2018:

• Aaron Overbeck, OMS-1: Identification of Novel Daibetic Cardiomyopathic Genes on the Drosophilia 2nd Chromosome
• Alice Mei, OMS-1: Genomic and Gene Expression Analyses to Discover Genes and Pathways in Human Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
• Elexus Carroll, OMS-1: Frequency of medical care as a potential barrier to CRC screening and CRC screening promoters in Pike County: Patients’ perspectives
• Katie Dick, OMS-1: Outpatient Rocephin Usage Effect on Amount of Patient Walk Ins
• Paige Lewis, OMS-1: The Effects of OMT on Pulmonary Massive Fibrosis: A pilot study of a non-invasive therapy to improve respiratory function in Appalachian Coal Miners
• Shaun Hansel, OMS-1: Pseudolaric acid B (PAB) reverse gemcitabine resistance by regulating p53/P-gp axis in pancreatic cancer cells.
• Trina Sircar, OMS-1: Surgical Outcomes of VAD patients with Pre-existing Diabetes Mellitus

2017:

• Rebecca Oliver, OMS-1: The Impact of Appalachian Cultural Values on Palliative Care
• Joshua Raven, OMS-1: The Effects of Thoracic OMT on Pulmonary Massive Fibrosis: A pilot study of a non-invasive therapy to improve respiratory function in Appalachian Coal Miners
• Carson Roberts, OMS-1: In vitro examination of the oncogenic function of Septin proteins in the development or progression of pancreatic cancer
• Ryan Stefancik, OMS-1: Exploring the Role of Oenocytes in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Relation to Diabetes Mellitus using a Drosophila melanogaster Model
• Sofia Pikalova, OMS-1: Evaluation of MPR diagnostic test for diagnosis of ADHD
• Jordan Wong, OMS-1: Investigating the mechanisms of Bisphenol-A – induced leptin secretion in human adipocytes

2016:

• Casey Potts, OMS-1: Investigating fiber type changes of diaphragm muscle in response to hypoxia in mice with and without satellite cells
• Derek De Mann, OMS-1: A Drosophila Model for Understanding the Role of Autophagy in Diabetic Cardiomyopathies
• Dylan Gerlach, OMS-1: Spectroscopic Structural Differences of Tear Film Lipid Layer in Dry Eye
• John Morris, OMS-1: Evaluation of the effectiveness of improvised Tourniquets on a Repressured Human Cadaver Model.
• Maria Cacciotti, OMS-1: Determining precise clinical criteria to reduce delay in recognition and treatment of sepsis among burn patients
• Zachariah Slattery, OMS-1: Septins are oncogenes in pancreatic cancer, whose activity is inhibited by Chmp1A tumor suppressor

Peer-Review Publications:

2022:

• Susan Musilli BS, Julia Martin MD. University of Pikeville KY College of Osteopathic Medicine and University of Kentucky Department of Emergency Medicine. The Man Who Could Not See but Did Not Care
• Christopher March, BS, Kimberly Gandy, MD, PhD, Jos Domen, PhD, Sayyed Hamidi, MD, MBA, MPH, Ryan Chen, BS, Paul Barach, MD, MPH, Anthony Szema, MD. Remote Patient Monitoring Effectively Assures Continuity of Care in Asthma Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic” has been accepted for publication. Telehealth and Medicine Today. 2022 November.
• Rebekah Samuels, OMS-III; Francesca Cocchiarale; Samidha Dutta, DO, PGY-3; Jarryd Rivera, MD; Amal Mattu, MD; Michael Pallaci, DO; Paul Jhun, MD, FAAEM; Jeff Riddell, MD; Cameron Berg, MD; and Michael Weinstock, MD. What is the acceptable miss rate for a major adverse cardiac event (MACE)? A follow-up survey after release of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) clinical policy on acute coronary syndromes. Journal of Urgent Care Medicine Date: April, 2022.
• Megan Carugati , Charles R. Goodlett, Timothy A. Cudd, Shannon E. Washburn. The effects of gestational choline supplementation on cerebellar Purkinje cell number in the sheep model of binge alcohol exposure during the first trimester-equivalent. Alcohol 100 (2022) 11e21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alcohol.2022.01.002
• Royan R, Daly G, Musilli S, Gadd S, Ceja S, Pescatore R. Implementation of Test-to-Stay programming to minimize learning loss in a pre-K-8 school district. Public Health. 2022 Sep;210:160-162. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2022.06.030. Epub 2022, Aug 13.
• Rishi Raj; Batoul Sadek; Malavika Seetha; Mohamed Hashem; Lakshmi Kannan; Judes Boulay. Persisting Disparity in Prevalence of Diabetes in Appalachian Region of Kentucky between 2016–2020 Journal of American Diabetes Association June 2022
•  Susan Musilli BS, Julia Martin MD. University of Pikeville KY College of Osteopathic Medicine and University of Kentucky Department of Emergency Medicine. The Man Who Could Not See but Did Not Care
• Christopher March, BS, Kimberly Gandy, MD, PhD, Jos Domen, PhD, Sayyed Hamidi, MD, MBA, MPH, Ryan Chen, BS, Paul Barach, MD, MPH, Anthony Szema, MD. Remote Patient Monitoring Effectively Assures Continuity of Care in Asthma Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic” has been accepted for publication. Telehealth and Medicine Today. 2022 November.
• Rebekah Samuels, OMS-III; Francesca Cocchiarale; Samidha Dutta, DO, PGY-3; Jarryd Rivera, MD; Amal Mattu, MD; Michael Pallaci, DO; Paul Jhun, MD, FAAEM; Jeff Riddell, MD; Cameron Berg, MD; and Michael Weinstock, MD. What is the acceptable miss rate for a major adverse cardiac event (MACE)?  A follow-up survey after release of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) clinical policy on acute coronary syndromes. Journal of Urgent Care Medicine Date: April, 2022.
• Megan Carugati , Charles R. Goodlett, Timothy A. Cudd, Shannon E. Washburn. The effects of gestational choline supplementation on cerebellar Purkinje cell number in the sheep model of binge alcohol exposure during the first trimester-equivalent. Alcohol 100 (2022) 11e21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alcohol.2022.01.002
• Royan R, Daly G, Musilli S, Gadd S, Ceja S, Pescatore R. Implementation of Test-to-Stay programming to minimize learning loss in a pre-K-8 school district. Public Health. 2022 Sep;210:160-162. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2022.06.030. Epub 2022, Aug 13.
• Rishi Raj; Batoul Sadek; Malavika Seetha; Mohamed Hashem; Lakshmi Kannan; Judes Boulay. Persisting Disparity in Prevalence of Diabetes in Appalachian Region of Kentucky between 2016–2020 Journal of American Diabetes Association June 2022
• Fawad Alam Siddiqui. AI in Radiation Treatment Planning. Radiation Therapist. Spring 2022, Volume 31, Number 1

2021:

• Anna Hargrave , Abu Salim Mustafa, Asma Hanif , Javed H Tunio, Shumaila N M. Hanif. Current Status of HIV-1 Vaccines Vaccines 2021, 9, x. https://doi.org/10.3390/xxxxx
• Siddiqui A; Conditional Removal of Myeloid Cell-Derived Mif through a Cre-loxP System in Mice; The Ohio State University; The Ohio State University. Department of Pathology Undergraduate Research Theses; 2021; http://hdl.handle.net/1811/92556)
• Anderson K, Ryan N, Alkhimovitch A, Siddiqui A, Oghumu S. Inhibition of PI3K Isoform p110γ Increases Both Anti-Tumor and Immunosuppressive Responses to Aggressive Murine Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Low Immunogenicity. Cancers. 13(5). 2021. 953. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13050953
• Ryan N, Anderson K, Siddiqui A, Alkhimovitch A, Swingler M, Puthankovilakam D, Satoskar, Oghumu S. MIF inhibits myeloid derived suppressor cell mediated immunosuppression by promoting an inflammatory M1 phenotypic shift. The FASEB Journal, 35, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.2021.35.S1.00457.
• Anderson K, Ryan N, Alkhimovitch A, Siddiqui A, Oghumu S. Abstract 1486: Inhibition of host PI3K-gamma modulates anti-tumor immunity in poorly immunogenic HNSCC. AACR. 81(13). 2021. 1486. https://doi.org/10.1158/1538-7445.AM2021-1486 ).
• Deena Badger, Rekha Patel, Ashley Lui, Chetna Thawani, Rea Rupani, Gitanjali Vidyarthu, Niketa Patel. Multilevel Regulation of Protein Kinase CδI Alternative Splicing by Lithium Chloride. Molecular and Cellular Biology  American Society for Microbiology.41( 3): 2021, DOI:https://doi.org/10.1128/MCB.00338-20.
• Margaret W. Ndinguri, Carrie A. Black, Anna L. Gosser, Sara Reitz,  Cody Sutphin, Frank R. Fronczek, Lindsay E. Cormier. “Exploring the synthesis and characterization of fac-Re(CO)3L complexes using diethylenetriamine derivative functionalized at the central nitrogen”. Inorganica Chimica Acta 520 (2021) 120291
• Fiani B, Houston R, Siddiqi I, Arshad M, Reardon T, Gilliland B et al. Retro-Odontoid Pseudotumor Formation in the Context of Various Acquired and Congenital Pathologies of the Craniovertebral Junction and Surgical Techniques. Neurospine. 2021 Mar;18(1):67-78. doi: 10.14245/ns.2040402.201. Epub 2020 Nov 18.
• Fiani B, Covarrubias C, Wong A, Doan T, Reardon T, Nikolaidis D, Sarno E. Cerebrolysin for stroke, neurodegeneration, and traumatic brain injury: review of the literature and outcomes. Neurol Sci. 2021 Apr;42(4):1345-1353. doi: 10.1007/s10072-021-05089-2. Epub 2021 Jan 30. PMID: 33515100.
• Fiani B, Reardon T, Ayres B, et al. An Examination of Prospective Uses and Future Directions of Neuralink: The Brain-Machine Interface. Cureus 13(3): e13192. doi:10.7759/cureus.14192.
• Fiani B, Reardon T, Selvage J et al. Awake Spine Surgery: An Eye-Opening Movement. Surg Neurol Int. 2021 May 10;12:222. doi: 10.25259/SNI_153_2021. PMID: 34084649; PMCID: PMC8168649.
• Reardon T, Fiani B, Kosarchuk J, Parisi A, Shlobin N. Management of Lambdoid Craniosynostosis: A Comprehensive and Systematic Review. Pediatr Neurosurg (accepted for publication 8/20/2021).
• Reardon T, Marsh C, Rippe P, et al. Clinical Management of Pediatric Chordomas: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus (submitted for review 8/22/2021).
• Kendarius J. Butler, Angel A. Castro, Tiffany S. Dwyer, Louise M. Hardwick, Melody C. Iacino , Sara G. Manore, Kevin M. Mays, Caylie A. McGlade, Lisa N. Hair, Erin W. Parker, Mikala R. Smith, Morgan T. Turnow, Matthew R. Wilson, Stephanie R. Woodson, William E. Cotham, Michael D. Walla, Jason C. Hurlbert, T. Christian Grattan,  Design, synthesis, and analysis of novel sphingosine kinase-1 inhibitors to improve oral bioavailability.Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters  50, 2021.

2020:

• Whitlow E, Mustafa AS, Hanif SNM. An Overview of the Development of New Vaccines for Tuberculosis. Vaccines (Basel). 5; 8(4): E586, 2020. (Doi: 10.3390/vaccines8040586. PMID: 33027958).
• Al Akhrass F, Trackett M, Mikhael E, Akhter S. Hanif SNM. Central Nervous Cryptococcosis and Chronic Hepatitis C: Two Case Reports and Review of the Literature. Clin Surg. 5:2959. 2020.
• Anderson K, Ryan N, Siddiqui A, Pero T, Volpedo G, Cooperstone JL, Oghumu S. Black Raspberries and Protocatechuic Acid Mitigate DNFB-Induced Contact Hypersensitivity by Down-Regulating Dendritic Cell Activation and Inhibiting Mediators of Effector Responses. Nutrients. 12(6). 2020. 1701. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061701
• Jones, R.N., Erhard S.A., Malham, M.R., Gen, A.Y., Sullivan, K., Olsen K.W., Dale, R.M.,. (2020, March 01). Expression and Functional Characterization of Zebrafish folate receptor 1 During Embryogenesis [Poster presented]. University of Pikeville- KYCOM/ KYCO Research Day /Pikeville , KY, USA.
• Mammen, J. Bott, K. Hans, E.M. Farhangi, K. Adil. The title of the abstract was Unplanned Hospital Encounters Head & Neck Cancer Patients Treated with Radiotherapy. It was presented at the Medical Student Investigation Day at Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY and it was published in The International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics on April 1, 2020. The doi is https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2019.11.075.
• Fiani B, Reardon T, Jenkins R, Covarrubias C, Sekhon M, Soula M, et al. Intramedullary spinal cord cavernous malformations in the pediatric population. Surg Neurol Int 2020;11:275. doi: 10.25259/SNI_494_2020. PMID: 33033637; PMCID: PMC7538982.
• Fiani B, Siddiqi I, Reardon T, Sarhadi K, Newhouse A, Gilliland B, et al. Thoracic Endoscopic Spine Surgery: A Comprehensive Review. Int J Spine Surg Oct 2020, 7109; DOI: 10.14444/7109. Epub 2020 Oct 12. PMID: 33046537; PMCID: PMC7671455.
• Von Mach, T., Rodriguez, K., Mojtabai, R., Spivac, S., Eaton, W., & Cullen, B. (2020). The relationship between social and environmental factors and symptom severity in the seriously mentally ill population. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 1-6
• Cullen, B., Rodriguez, K., Eaton, W., Mojtabai, R., Von Mach, T., Ybarra., M. (2020). Clinical outcomes from the texting for relapse prevention (T4RP) in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder study. Psychiatry Research, 292, 1-5.
• Von Mach, T., MPH MSW, Fawcett, A., MLIS, Hatzis, N., MD, Walker Lowry, K. PhD. “Impact of Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Programs for Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” American Public Health Association Annual Meeting; San Francisco, CA; October 2020; Oral Presentation.
• Walker Lowry, K., PhD, Von Mach, T., MPH MSW, Westover, A., MA, Haen, C. LCSW. “Training Pediatric Care Coordinators in Motivational Interviewing.” ABCT Annual Meeting; Philadelphia, PA; November 2020; Poster Presentation.
• Von Mach, T., MPH MSW, Fawcett, A., MLIS, Hatzis, N., MD, Walker Lowry, K. PhD. “Impact of Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Programs for Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” ABCT Annual Meeting; Philadelphia, PA; November 2020; Poster Presentation.

2019:

• Allen AH, Gullixson AC. Spindle Cell Sarcoma of the Paraspinal Musculature with Late Pulmonary Metastases. American Journal of Case Reports. 2019; 20:828-832. Published 2019 Jun 12. doi:10.12659/AJCR.915602
• Allen AH. Large Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma of the Posterior Thigh. American Journal of Case Reports. 2019;20:318-322. Published 2019 Mar 11. doi:10.12659/AJCR.914079.
• Jordan C. Malone, Aravind Thavamani. Physiology, Gastrocolic Reflex (Gastrocolic Response). StatPearls, 2019
• Kinaan Javed; Daniel T. Daly. Neuroanatomy, Lower Motor Neuron Lesion, State pearls, 2019
• Kinaan Javed; Vamsi Reddy; Joe M Das. Neuroanatomy, Posterior Cerebral Arteries, State pearls, Pubmed ID: 30860709
• Kinaan Javed; Joe M Das. Neuroanatomy, Anterior Choroidal Arteries, State pearls, Pubmed ID: 30844216, 2019
• Kinaan Javed; Vamsi Reddy; Forshing Lui. Neuroanatomy, Choroid Plexus, Pubmed ID: 30844183
• Kinaan Javed; Vamsi Reddy; Forshing Lui. Neuroanatomy, Lateral Corticospinal Tract, Pubmed ID: 30521239
• Lauren A. Hocevar; Brian M. Fitzgerald. American Society of Anesthesiologists Staging. PubMedID # 31747192
• Mustafa M. Basree, Neelam Shinde, Christopher Koivisto, Maria Cuitino, Raleigh Kladney, Jianying Zhang, Julie Stephens, Marilly Palletas, Allen Zhang, Hee Kyung Kim, Santiago Beoya, Anthony Trimboli, Daniel Stover, Thomas Ludwig, Ramesh Ganju, Peter Shields, Gustavo Leone, Gina Sizemore, Sarmila Majumder, and Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy. Abrupt involution induces inflammation, estrogenic signaling, and hyperplasia linking lack of breastfeeding with increased risk of breast cancer. Breast Cancer Research 2019, Jul 17;21(1):80.

Poster Presentations:

2022:

• Susan Musilli, Martin MD. Case report presentation– National Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) Research Symposium October 22, 2022. 3^rdplace award case report section
• Susan Musilli. Case report. Peds Symposium. October, 2022
• Susan Musilli, Pikeville. Kentucky American College of Emergency Physicians (KACEP) Annual State Meeting. November 16, 2022
• Christopher March, BS, Kimberly Gandy, MD, PhD, Jos Domen, PhD, Sayyed Hamidi, MD, MBA, MPH, Ryan Chen, BS, Paul Barach, MD, MPH, Anthony Szema, MD. Remote Patient Monitoring Effectively Assures Continuity of Care in Asthma Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic” has been accepted for publication. Telehealth and Medicine Today. 2022 November.
• Marco Ruiz, MD, Tiba Al Sagheer, PharmD, BCOP, BCACP, Jannelle Vicens, DNP, FNP-BC, APRN, Shehwar Islamuddin, and Guenther Koehne, M.D., PhD. Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant for HIV Patients with Hematologic Malignancies. Tandem transplantation and cellular therapy meeting of ASTCT and CIBMTR April 2022.492 Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant for HIV Patients with Hematologic Malignancies: The BMT CTN-0903/AMC-080 Trial
• Rebekah Samuels, OMS-III; Francesca Cocchiarale; Samidha Dutta, DO, PGY-3; Jarryd Rivera, MD; Amal Mattu, MD; Michael Pallaci, DO; Paul Jhun, MD, FAAEM; Jeff Riddell, MD; Cameron Berg, MD; and Michael Weinstock, MD. What is the acceptable miss rate for a major adverse cardiac event (MACE)? A follow-up survey after release of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) clinical policy on acute coronary syndromes. Adena Research Forum in June 2022 in Chillicothe, OH. ttps://tandem.confex.com/tandem/2022/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/20208
• Mohamed Hashem, Batoul Sadek, Malavika Seetha, Rishi Raj and Aasems Jacob. High-Grade Large Cell Neuroendocrine Cancer of the Ethmoid Sinus.  American College of Internists October 2022.
• Rishi Raj; Batoul Sadek; Malavika Seetha; Mohamed Hashem; Lakshmi Kannan; Judes Boulay. Persisting Disparity in Prevalence of Diabetes in Appalachian Region of Kentucky between 2016–2020. American College of Physicians September 2022.
• Mohamed Hashem, Roky P. Truong, Stephanie Cox-Batson. Challenges and Barriers to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Initiation within Community Health Centers. National Medical Fellowship Primary Care Leadership Program Annual Meeting. July 2022.
• Rishi Raj; Batoul Sadek; Malavika Seetha; Mohamed Hashem; Lakshmi Kannan; Judes Boulay. Persisting Disparity in Prevalence of Diabetes in Appalachian Region of Kentucky between 2016–2020. American Diabetes Association 82nd Scientific Sessions June 2022.
• Mohamed Hashem, Batoul Sadek, Malavika Seetha, Rishi Raj and Aasems Jacob. High-Grade Large Cell Neuroendocrine Cancer of the Ethmoid Sinus. National Student Osteopathic Medical Association Research Symposium April 2022.
• Rishi Raj; Batoul Sadek; Malavika Seetha; Mohamed Hashem; Lakshmi Kannan; Judes Boulay. Persisting Disparity in Prevalence of Diabetes in Appalachian Region of Kentucky between 2016–2020. University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022.
• Madison Clements, Madison Landers, Daniel Atchley, Dr. Shumaila Hanif.  Powerpoint and Its Preferred Features. University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022
• Adreian Paul, R. Bhatt , Daniel Atchley, Dr. Shumaila Hanif. Osteopathic Medical Student’s Preferences for Lecture Delivery During the COVID-19 Pandemic. University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022.
• Raquel Rudy, Mustafa Basree. Progressive global ataxia with sensory changes as a paraneoplastic syndrome in a patient with chromophobe renal cell carcinoma. University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022.
• Anna Hargrave, Shumaila Hanife, Abu Salim Mustafa, Asma Hanif, & Dr. Javed H. Tunio. An Overview of the HIV-1 Vaccine Development. University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022.
• Richaela Denlinger, Dr. Julia Smith, Joseph Lyle, Pranuthi Kanneganti, & Dr. Malgorzata Simm. Macro- and microscopic analysis of thymus in a 103-year-old centenarian demonstrates a high degree of tissue preservation and the presence of CD3+ T-cells; a proof-of-concept for optimizing immune function until the end of life. University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022.
• Oleg Belyshev & Dr. Muhammad Nabeel Ghayur. Literature Search of Medicinal Plants with Anthelmintic Properties. University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022.
• Benjamin Elliott, Dr. Ayesha Ghayur, & Dr. Muhammad Nabeel Ghayur.  Survey of Laxative Medicinal Plants with Therapeutic Potential For Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Constipation. University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022.
• Morgan Turnow, Sidney Elston, Hafez Golzarian. Conservative Management of A Large Idiopathic Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report. University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022.
• Sidney Elston, Morgan Turnow, Dr. Tonya Shea. Incidental Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in a Female with Back Pain: A Case Report. University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022.
• Taylor Reardon, Nolan J. Brown, Alex Himstead, Dr. Ronald Sahyouni, Dr. Shane Shahrestani, Nathan A. Shlobin, Jack Birkenbeuel, Khodayar Goshtasbi, Dr. Harrison W. Lin. Effects of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury on the Auditory System. University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022.
• Jennifer Perrault, Michael W. Kortz, Dr. Kelly Gassie, & Dr. William Freeman. Noninvasive methods of measuring intracranial pressure and their usefulness in a microgravity environment: A review
• Fawad Alam Siddiqui. AI in Radiation Treatment Planning. University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022.
• Naushair Hussain, Deea Das, Dr. Kartick Pramanik. Targeting Complement System in Pancreatic Cancer Drugs Resistance: A Novel Therapeutic Approach.  University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022.
• Nicole Mitchell, Joe Kingery, & Dr. Meg Wright Sidle. The educational impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical students in the Southern United States: A Longitudinal Study. University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022.
• Vaibhav Kadam, Andrew Vaughn. A Case of Eosinophilic Angiocentric Fibrosis with Palatal Fistulas. University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022.
• Pranuthi Kanneganti, Julia H. Smith, Dr. Malgorzata Simm, Joseph Lyle, Richaela Denlinger, & Heather McGuire. Challenging the dogma of the immune senescence: the thymus can involute with different kinetics in each lobe, thus preserving the epithelial structure and function unilaterally until the end of life. University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022.
• Deea Das, Kartick C. Pramanik. Pseudolaric Acid B (PAB) Inhibits Migration and Invasion Process in Pancreatic Cancer. University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022.
• Mohamed Hashem, Batoul Sadek, Malavika Seetha, & Dr. Rishi Raj. Disparities in Prevalence of Diabetes – Persisting Gap in Diabetes Prevalence in Appalachian Region of Kentucky. University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022.
• Sandy Rayes, Johnny Elmalakh, Churchill Ihentuge. Therapeutic Effects of Camel Milk: Gateway to Treatment of Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome and Aging. University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022.
• Naushair Hussain, Deea Das, Dr. Kartick Pramanik. Pseudolaric Acid B (PAB) Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Drug Resistance By Targeting NF-KB. University of Pikeville 2022 research symposium April 2022

2021:

• Whitlow E, Mustafa AS, Hanif SNM. An Overview of the Development of New Vaccines for Tuberculosis. 1^st University of Pikeville Research Symposium. Pikeville, KY, USA. Apr 9th, 2021
• Siddiqui A, Ryan N, Anderson K, Volpedo G, Mellen L, Satoskar A PhD, Oghumu S PhD. Cre-lox Mediated Conditional Removal of Myeloid Cell-Derived Mif in a Mouse Model of Oral Cancer. Denman Undergraduate Presentation Forum. Columbus, Ohio, April 7, 2021.
• Ryan N, Anderson K, Siddiqui A, Alkhimovitch A, Swingler M, Puthankovilakam D, Satoskar A, Oghumu S. MIF Inhibits myeloid derived suppressor cell mediated immunosuppression by promoting an inflammatory M1 phenotypic shift. Experimental Biology. Indianapolis, Indiana, April 27-30, 2021.
• Heather McGuirem, Heather McGuire, Malgorzata Simm. Anatomical Evaluation of Human Thymi in Elderly Human subjects- A Pilot Study. 2021 UPIKE Research Symposium
• Jupina, M., Caudill, C., & Sidle, M.W.. (2021, April 09). Medical Student Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic [Poster presented]. University of Pikeville Research Symposium/Pikeville, KY, USA.
• Reardon, T. Pandya C, Vekaria H, Binoy J et. al. Hemoglobin Induces Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells. Presented by UPike Research Symposium. University of Pikeville, Pikeville, KY. Oral and Poster Presentation, 2021
• Reardon, T. Pursuing & Obtaining Research Opportunities in Medical School. KYCOM Current Issues in Medicine (CIM) course. Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pikeville, KY. Oral Presentation. 2021
• Reardon, T. Pandya C, Vekaria H, Binoy J et. al. Hemoglobin Induces Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells. Presented by. KYCOM Current Issues in Medicine (CIM) course. Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pikeville, KY. Oral Presentation.          2021
• Bott, Joseph, Brian Cohen. Analysis of Caveolin-1 Expression and Interaction with Human Follicle Stimulating Hormone Receptor in Lipid Rafts. Steinmetz Research Symposium at Union College in Schenectady, NY , May of 2021.
• Nicole Mitchell, Meg Wright Sidle, Joe Kingery The educational impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical students in the United States.Student National Medical Association Region X Conference, 2021
• Nicole Mitchell, Meg Wright Sidle, Joe Kingery The educational impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical students in the United States. American Medical Student Association Convention, 2021
• Nicole Mitchell, Meg Wright Sidle, Joe Kingery The educational impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical students in the United States.University of Pikeville Research Symposium, 2021

2020:

• Siddiqui A, Ryan N, Anderson K, Volpedo G, Mellen L, Oghumu S. Conditional removal of myeloid cell-derived MIF through a Cre-loxP system in mice. OSUCCC Annual Scientific Meeting. Columbus OH, October 13, 2020.
• Siddiqui A, Ryan N, Anderson K, Volpedo G, Mellen L, Satoskar A, Oghumu S. Cre-lox mediated conditional removal of myeloid cell-derived Mif in a mouse model of oral cancer. Virtual Autumn Undergraduate Research Festival. Columbus Ohio, November 2-6, 2020. (http://hdl.handle.net/1811/92108)
• Siddiqui A, Ryan N, Anderson K, Volpedo G, Mellen L, Oghumu S. Myeloid cell specific Mif knockout induced by Cre-LoxP in a mouse model. Pelotonia Institute for Immuno Oncology Symposium. Columbus, Ohio, November 2, 2020.
• Siddiqui A, Ryan N, Anderson K, Volpedo G, Mellen L, Satoskar A, Oghumu S. Cre-LoxP induced deletion of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in myeloid cells. The Ohio State University’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science’s 8^th Annual Scientific Meeting. Columbus Ohio, January 19, 2020.
• Ryan N, Anderson K, Siddiqui A, Swingler M, Oghumu S. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor promotes anti-tumoral T cell differentiation within the tumor microenvironment. OSUCCC Annual Scientific Meeting. Columbus OH, October 13, 2020.
• Ryan N, Anderson K, Siddiqui A, Swingler M, Oghumu S. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor promotes an anti-tumoral cellular response in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Pelotonia Institute for Immuno Oncology Symposium. Columbus, Ohio, November 2, 2020.
• Anderson K, Ryan N, Alkhimovitch A, Siddiqui A, Oghumu S. Host PI3K-Gamma Inhibition Significantly Modulates Immune Activity at the Tumor Site of Poorly Immunogenic Head and Neck Cancer. Pelotonia Institute for Immuno Oncology Symposium. Columbus, Ohio, November 2, 2020.
• Anderson K, Ryan N, Pero T, Siddiqui A, Cooperstone J, Oghumu S. Black Raspberries Elicit Potent Anti-Inflammatory and Contribute to a Reduction in T-cell Driven Contact Hypersensitivity. Russell Klein Nutrition Research Symposium, Columbus OH, March 31, 2020.
• Ryan N, Anderson K, Siddiqui A, Pero T, Celano A, Cooperstone J, Oghumu S. Inflammation is attenuated by black raspberry metabolites in a murine model of allergic contact dermatitis. OSU Wexner Medical Center Trainee Research Day, Columbus OH, April 16, 2020.
• Jones, R.N., Erhard S.A., Malham, M.R., Gen, A.Y., Sullivan, K., Olsen K.W., Dale, R.M., (2020, March 01). Expression and Functional Characterization of Zebrafish Folate Receptor 1 During Embryogenesis [Oral Presentation]. University of Pikeville- KYCOM/KYCO Research Day /Pikeville , KY, USA.
• Rupani, R , Lui, A, Bader, D, Patel, N. Pro Survival PKC δ VIII Regulates. Ovarian Cancer Progression. Location: University of South Florida Research Day, 2020.
• Yacques, A. & Bates, R. (2020, July 6-9). Associations between cortisol levels and sleep behavior in infants and toddlers up to 36 months of age [Virtual poster presentation]. International Congress of Infant Studies (ICIS) 2020 biennial conference, held virtually due to COVID19. https://infantstudies.org/wp–content/uploads/2020/07/vICIS–Posterpdf

2019:

• Andrew Abadier OMS-III, Michael Abadier DO, John Abadier MD, Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Presenting as Acute Large Bowel Obstruction. American College of Gastroenterology Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX
• Hamm B, Pramanik K. Pseudolaric Acid B (PAB) Induces Senescence by Activation of P53/P21 Pathway in Pancreatic Cancer Cells. JAOA. 2019 Dec;119(12): 46-143
• Samuel Potter, Jacob Sifers, Emily Yocom, Sandra L.E. Blumich, Rachel Potter, Jeremy Nadolski, Douglas A. Harrison, Robin L. Cooper, Effects of inhibiting mTOR with rapamycin on behavior, development, neuromuscular, physiology and cardiac function in larval Drosophila: Biology open.
• Mustafa M. Basree, Neelam Shinde, Zaibo Li, Sarmila Majumder, Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy. Analysis of healthy breast tissue from Komen tissue bank show distinct histology, decreased proliferation and lower periductal collagen deposition in women with prolonged history of breastfeeding. American Society for Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL. June 2019
• Shaun Hansel, Amber Crawford, Kartick C. Pramanik. Pseudolaric Acid B (PAB) Sensitizes Gemcitabine Efficacy Toward Pancreatic Cancer Cell Death by Targeting P53/P-GP Signaling Pathways, The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, November 2018, Vol. 118, e101-e202. oi:10.7556/jaoa.2018.163
• Neelam Shinde, Mustafa Basree, Sivanesan Dhandayuthapani, Jianying Zhang, Resham Mawalkar, Gina M. Sizemore, Sarmila Majumder, Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy. Tamoxifen Treatment Abolishes Pre-Cancerous Changes Induced By Abrupt Involution In Mouse Mammary Glands. Great Lakes Breast Cancer Research in Columbus, OH. May 2019
• Megan Smith, D.O., Parth Shah, MS4., Chen Rubinstein, M.D., Jacqueline Dawson Dowe, M.D., Mohammad Abdul-Waheed, M.D. Snared: Percutaneous Retrieval of Intracardiac Migrating Foreign Body. Bowling Green, KY at the Western Kentucky Heart and Lung Symposium

Statistics is a tool that helps researchers relay the meaningfulness of the subject by organizing the collected data (descriptive statistics) and make statements about how characteristics of that data are applicable to new settings (inferential statistics). Which statistical tests are selected depends on the question to be answered.

Meg Sidle, Ph.D., director of institutional research and effectiveness, assists faculty and students with statistical analysis of their research projects.

For assistance, contact Meg Sidle at:  
Office: Record Memorial Building 600
Phone: 606-218-5290
E-mail: MargaretSidle@upike.edu

In support of the research process, IBM SPSS Statistics software is installed on a set of computers in Allara Library.

Statistics textbooks that may be of benefit in research include:
Salkind, N. J. (2017). Statistics for people who (think they) hate statistics ( 6th Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. [ISBN: 978-1-5063-3383-0]

Trochim, W. M., and Donnelly, J. P. (2006). The Research Methods Knowledge Base (3rd Ed.). Cincinnati, OH: Atomic Dog Publishing, Inc.  [ISBN: 978-1-5926-0291-9]

The University of Pikeville’s Office of Advancement supports the grant writing efforts of faculty and other campus researchers. Grant writing services include searching for funding opportunities, developing proposals, developing budgets, editing and managing awarded grants.

Contact Grant Writers Denise Thomas or April Tabor at denisethomas@upike.edu or apriltabor@upike.edu for help funding research interest or study.

For more information about funding opportunities, visit:
Grants.gov
National Institutes of Health
National Eye Institute
National Science Foundation
Kentucky Academy of Science
Kentucky Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network
Ledford Scholarships
American Academy of Optometry
American Osteopathic Association

Selective Laser Trabeculoplaty (SLT) vs Combigan

Name of researcher(s): Ian McWherter, O.D.

Project Title: Selective Laser Trabeculoplaty (SLT) vs Combigan

Project Description (250 word limit): This study aims to compare the effectiveness in intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering between SLT and Combigan in primary open angle glaucoma patients who are uncontrolled on a topical prostaglandin analog.

Contact Information: ianmcwherter@gmail.com

Photo: none

Accepting new research interns: no

Cataract Surgery Activity Study

Name of researcher(s): Duane Corbett, Ph.D and Ian McWherter, O.D.

Project Title: Cataract Surgery Activity Study

Project Description (250 word limit): This study will investigate the effects of cataract surgery on the daily activities levels in elderly patients.

Contact Information: ianmcwherter@gmail.com

Photo: none

Accepting new research interns: no