Duke School of Medicine Student Research Symposium

Exploring malnutrition in head and neck cancer surgery: a novel screening tool for a continuing challenge
Background: Malnutrition is a significant driver of mortality in cancer patients – with estimates that between 10-20% of cancer patients die due to...

Multiplanar and 3D Imaging Modalities for the Evaluation of Right Ventricle to Left Ventricle Ratios in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism
Background: In patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), early risk stratification is essential in order to determine effective therapeutic...

Heterotopic Liver Transplant: a Novel Rat Model for Acute Cellular Rejection
Background: Laboratory rats are used as the standard animal model for studying liver transplantation (LT) due to their size facilitating...

An Analysis of Social and Clinical Characteristics of Individuals who Acquired a Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI)
Background A previous exploratory analysis of surveillance data at our large academic medical center identified higher CLABSI rates among...

Severe Maternal Morbidity Following Cesarean Hysterectomy for Placenta Accreta Spectrum in the US
Objective: Cesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is associated with increased risk of post-partum hemorrhage and severe...

Revisiting the Principles of Cell Culture: A Macromolecular Crowding (MMC) Strategy to Fine-Tune Endothelial Colony-Forming Cell Phenotype for in vitro Tissue Engineered Heart Valve Applications
Objectives: Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) in circulating blood represent an attractive cell source for cellularizing engineered valve...

Using Natural Language Processing to Assess Goals of Care Conversations for Patients with Cancer
Background Goals of care (GOC) discussions during advanced serious illness and end-of-life (EOL) care are critical. Institutions are increasingly...

“Everyone wants our cotton pickers”: Industrial Therapy, Involuntary Sterilization, and Black Mental Health at the State Hospital at Goldsboro, North Carolina 1880-1960
Background The state hospital at Goldsboro opened in 1880 as North Carolina’s first institution to serve the Black mentally ill, and was the...

Examining the Impact of Race, Sex, and Insurance Status on the Clinical Management of Vestibular Neuritis and Labyrinthitis
Background: Vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis (VNL) are common causes of vertigo and dizziness. While multiple treatment strategies have been...

Integrated Diaphragmatic Function, Chemosensitivity, and Endurance in Exercising Divers
Background: While exercising underwater, divers experience increased ventilatory load which can predispose them to respiratory muscle fatigue and...