VCOM 2021 Annual Report

RESEARCH

VCOM-Auburn Via Research Recognition Day

T he fourth annual VCOM-Auburn Via Research Recognition Day was held virtually on February 19, 2021, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Plenary Lecturer P. Gunnar Brolinson, DO, FAOASM, FAAFP, FACOFP, opened the speaker portion of the event with “The State of Research at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine.” Dr. Brolinson noted that VCOM had $14.5 million in active awards, a $3.5 million increase from the previous year. Dr. Brolinson highlighted the difficulty that the COVID-19 pandemic had added to research work. “It has been a tough year, but I applaud everyone continuing with their projects despite all the challenges,” said Brolinson. He added that the pandemic opened up several research opportunities. Keynote Speaker Kendi Hensel, DO, PhD, FAAO, presented “Osteopathic Research: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.” Hensel started by noting the differences between research and scholarly activities. Hensel said that research and scholarly activity sets individuals apart. “There are a lot of positive aspects of being in research as it develops ‘habits of inquiry,’” Hensel noted. She also said that research could highlight what areas a person is passionate about. Hensel said that research can be dry, repetitive, and mundane and needs a proper allocation of time to be done right. “However, when it is done, you can look back and be immensely proud,” she added.

Hensel noted that she served with the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) and highlighted the resources available to potential researchers on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) website. “Research offers the opportunity to affect medical practice, but is also a way to distinguish yourself while serving the greater good of humanity,” she concluded. Following the announcement of poster competition winners in the various research categories, Kenny Brock, DVM, PhD, MS, VCOM-Auburn Associate Dean for Biomedical Affairs and Research, announced Kaelin Young, PhD, MEd, Assistant Professor for Cell Biology and Physiology, as the winner of the VCOM- Auburn Researcher of the Year award. ■ Guest Speakers Keynote Lecture: Osteopathic Research: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Kendi Hensel, DO, PhD, FAAO National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), National Institutes of Health Plenary Lecture: The State of Research at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Gunnar Brolinson, DO, FAOASM, FAAFP, FACOFP Vice Provost for Research at VCOM

P. Gunnar Brolinson, DO, FAOASM, FAAFP, FACOFP - Plenary Lecture

Kendi Hensel, DO, PhD, FAAO Keynote Speaker

Right: Kaelin Young, PhD, MEd. Left: Kenny Brock, DVM, PhD, MS, Associate Dean for Research

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