Louisiana Via Research Day Book 2026

ON THE COVER: (left to right) Justin Nguyen, Class of 2026; Savannah Newell, PhD

Via Research Recognition Day Agenda February 27, 2026

Kayla Griffith and Francheska Brzazgon, Class of 2028

7:30–8:30 a.m.

Registration, second floor Coffee service and refreshments, second floor

0.5 CME

8:30–9:00 a.m.

Opening Remarks and Plenary Lecture: “The State of Research at VCOM” Pawel Michalak, PhD and P. Gunnar Brolinson, DO, FAOASM, FAAFP, FACOFP Lecture Hall 2, second floor VIA Learning Management System (VLMS) Update P. Gunnar Brolinson, DO, FAOASM, FAAFP, FACOFP; Fred Rawlins II, DO; Jan Michalak, MA; Heather Price, CSM Lecture Hall 2, second floor

Welcome

0.75 CME

9:00–9:45 a.m.

Welcome to the VCOM Via Research Recognition Day on the VCOM-Louisiana Campus. Each year, the Via Research Recognition Day is a significant event for VCOM that supports the mission of the College to provide medical education and research that prepares globally minded, community-focused physicians and improves the health of those most in need. The Via Research Recognition Day offers a forum for health professionals and scientists in academic institutions, teaching hospitals and practice sites to present and benefit from new research innovations and programs intended to improve the health of all humans. By attending the sessions with guest speakers, participants have the opportunity to learn cutting edge information in the physiological bases of osteopathic manipulative therapy efficacy, new trends in physician-based research networks, and how to develop innovative research projects with high impact for human health. Poster sessions allow participants to learn about the biomedical, clinical, and education-simulation research activities at VCOM-Louisiana and its partner institutions.

Hannah Khairandish, Class of 2028

9:45–10:00 a.m.

Coffee Break

10:00–11:00 a.m.

Keynote Speaker: “Rules of Engagement: Molecular Arms Race Between Host and Viral Genomes”

1.00 CME

Harmit Singh Malik, PhD Lecture Hall 2, second floor

11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Poster Competition Rooms-107, 129-132, first floor

2:00–3:00 p.m.

Award Ceremony and Final Remarks Lecture Hall 2, second floor

TOTAL: 2.25 CME

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2026 Research Recognition Day