The UNMC Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy (GCBA) held its third annual Student Research Forum on Aug. 11.
This forum gives faculty and students the opportunity to discuss the many ongoing projects in the department.
“Students in GCBA laboratories come from a wide variety of programs, and this interaction is vital to maintaining a strong departmental identity,” said Vimla Band, Ph.D., department chair.
The department houses the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (IGPBS).
“We invite all students in molecular genetics and cell biology, as well as all IGPBS uncommitted students, to learn more about potential mentors and students within the department,” Dr. Band said.
Opening the forum were four oral presentations by three graduate students and a post-doctoral fellow. The presenters were selected based on abstracts provided by the students and post-doctoral fellows for presentation.
Following a lunch break, keynote speaker Jeffrey Koterba, editorial cartoonist for the Omaha World-Herald, discussed his Tourette’s Syndrome diagnosis and his experience to overcome this challenge through perseverance and striving to be original and innovative in his work.
“His talk was inspirational to graduate students and faculty alike,” Dr. Band said. “The recognition that fulfillment and success can come out of challenges and perseverance no matter what field of study and work you pursue was the key takeaway message from Koterba’s talk.”
The day closed with 16 students and post-doctoral fellows presenting their work in poster presentations and being judged by faculty members. Travel awards were presented for the outstanding oral presentation and for the outstanding poster presentation.
Travel awards were presented to:
- Aniruddha Sarkar — Outstanding Oral Presentation (tie);
- Bhopal Mohopatra — Outstanding Oral Presentation (tie);
- Shrabasti Roychoudhury – Outstanding Poster Presentation.