MS Workforce of the Future programs provide outstanding medical students with research experiences mentored by CMSC member researchers and clinicians. Upon completion of their projects, scholars present their research results at the CMSC Annual Meeting.
Medical Student Research Presenters at the 2024 CMSC Annual Meeting
INSERRA FAMILY RESEARCH SCHOLAR |
![](https://cmscfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/053024_CMSC_1365-TROMBETTA-BIANCA_500x333.png)
Bianca Trombetta
Research Institution: Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Lim and Chan Laboratory
Project Title: CSF perturbation of human primary astrocytes to model the link between CSF pathogenicity and neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis
Mentors: Dr. Carolina Ionete, Dr. Chris Hemond
FOUNDATION OF THE CMSC RESEARCH SCHOLARS |
![](https://cmscfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/053024_CMSC_1401-ALONZO-BREANNA_500x333.png)
Breanna Alonzo
Research Institution: McGovern Medical School
Project Title: Structural disconnectivity secondary to white matter lesions in MS-related tremor
Mentor: John A. Lincoln, MD, PhD
![](https://cmscfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/053024_CMSC_1362-BAEVA-MARIA-ELIZABETH_500x333.png)
Maria-Elizabeth Baeva
Research Institution:Fraser Health Multiple Sclerosis Clinic
Project Title: Should cladribine be upgraded to a first line multiple sclerosis disease-modifying therapy?
Mentor: Galina Vorobeychik, MD
![](https://cmscfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/053024_CMSC_1394-BALSHI-ALEXANDRA_500x333.png)
Alexandra Balshi
Research Institution: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center & Lahey MS Center
Project Title: Neurological and functional outcomes in transgender patients with
multiple sclerosis: interplay with gender-affirming hormone therapy and social determinants of health
Mentor: Jacob Sloane, MD, PhD
![](https://cmscfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/053024_CMSC_1397-BERANEK-LAUREN_500x333.png)
Lauren Beranek
Research Institution: The Medical College of Wisconsin
Project Title: Predictors of Polypharmacy in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Focus onRace, Socioeconomic Status and Beyond
Mentor: Ahmed Obeidat, MD, PhD
![](https://cmscfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/053024_CMSC_1400-CORTEZ-ELYSE_500x333.png)
Elyse Cortez
Research Institution: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Project Title: The Effects of Race/Ethnicity and Low Socioeconomic Status in Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder
Mentor: Rajesh K. Gupta, MD, MS
![](https://cmscfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/053024_CMSC_1395-SAMANTHA-STEPHENS-REPRESENTING-TANIA-DASILVA_500x333_B.png)
Tania DaSilva (Poster Presenter: Samantha Stephens)
Research Institution: Pediatric MS and Neuroinflammatory Disorders Program
Project Title: Gut Microbiota and Physical Activity in Pediatric Onset Multiple Sclerosis
Mentor: Ann Yeh, MD
![](https://cmscfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/053024_CMSC_1402-LIBNER-COLE_500x333.png)
Cole Libner
Research Institution: University of Saskatchewan / Cameco MS Neuroscience Research
Project Title: Pre-clinical testing of novel small molecules inhibit neurodegeneration – implications for the pathogenesis and treatment of MS
Mentor: Michael Levin, MD
![](https://cmscfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/053024_CMSC_1404-MARINI-NOAH500x333.png)
Noah Marini
Research Institution: University of British Columbia
Project Title: Relationship between serum 24-hydroxycholesterol and brain water
content, myelin water fraction, and T1 relaxation in different stages of MS
Mentor: Cornelia Laule, MD, MSc, PhD
![](https://cmscfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/053024_CMSC_1412-MILLER-JOE_500x333.png)
Joseph Miller
Research Institution: Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Project Title: Assessing Demographic Variability in Multiple Sclerosis Onset and
Initial Clinical Presentation and Defining Factors That Lead to Delay in Diagnosis
Mentor: Tirisham Gyang, MD
![](https://cmscfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Laya_Rao_500x333.png)
Laya Rao
Research Institution: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Project Title: Identifying Racial Disparities in Clinical Characteristics and Inflammatory Markers in Treatment Naive Multiple Sclerosis
Mentor: Rajesh K. Gupta, MD, MSD
![](https://cmscfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/053024_CMSC_1409-SIINGURI-NIDI_500x333.png)
Srinidhi Singuri
Research Institution: Cleveland Clinic Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis
Project Title: Evaluation of a merged FLAIR-SWI method for simplified central vein
sign assessment in multiple sclerosis
Mentor: Daniel Ontaneda, MD, PhD
![](https://cmscfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/053024_CMSC_1407-SKOLARIS-ALEXIS_500x333.png)
Alexis Skolaris
Research Institution: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Project Title: Outcomes of Group Dance and Movement Training in Ambulatory
Persons with MS
Mentor: Francois Bethoux, MD
![](https://cmscfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/053024_CMSC_1410-TSAI-WENDY_500x333.png)
Wendy Tsai
Research Institution: Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
University of British Columbia
Project Title: Investigating the Association of Cognition with Water and Myelin
Content in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder
Mentors: Anthony Traboulsee, MD and Shannon Kolind, PhD