Scholar winner at MedEq Research Conference

ReBUILDetroit scholar, Leena Abbas, sophomore at Wayne State University was one of three winners at the MedEq Research Conference held at Wayne State University last month.

Abbas poster, “The Effects of Paternal Asthma on Birth Weight” received one of the top awards in a field of nearly 30 posters some of which were presented by medical and graduate students.

“I really enjoyed being judged against others who were medical and graduate students,” said Abbas.  “I learned a lot during the presentations and about research in graduate school!”

This is Abbas’ second award winning poster.  Her poster was recognized at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) in Tampa, Florida last November.  See “ReBUILDetroit scholars win awards at Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students.”

The ReBUILDetroit program matches scholars with faculty mentors to provide an intense 8-week summer research experience following their freshman year.  Abbas credits her faculty mentor, Dr. Dawn Misra, from Wayne State and the program for preparing her for this experience.

“The ReBUILDetroit program gave me the opportunity to conduct research at an early stage and practice for conferences by presenting my research,” said Abbas.  “By starting research during my freshman year, I had the chance to conduct in depth research that was in par with several graduate and medical students!”

In addition to Abbas, eight ReBUILDetroit scholars from Wayne State University and University of Detroit Mercy attended the conference.

Providing scholars research experience and exposure to conferences and presentations beginning in their freshman year is a goal of the ReBUILDetroit program.

“I hope to present in more research conferences in the future and network with graduate/medical schools,” said Abbas.

Congratulations Leena on your achievement!