Several first-year medical students from OUWB recently grabbed their passports and dashed off to Toronto to be part of the American Association for Anatomy’s Anatomy Connected 2024.

Per its website, Anatomy Connected “inspires educators, researchers, and students to explore the latest research, expand their knowledge and skills, create valuable relationships, and discover what’s ahead in anatomy.

Attendance at the conference was a direct result of faculty at OUWB encouraging students to become sound researchers and skilled physicians. OUWB’s students have attended the conference before, too.

Malli Barremkala, M.D., associate professor, Department of Foundational Medical Studies, said it means a lot for OUWB to be represented at the conference.

“It gives us excitement and pride to see our students represent OUWB at an international stage with other medical schools,” said Barremkala. “This validates the hard work each of the first-year anatomy team and students have put into their research.”

“Also, this confirms OUWB’s contributions to the medical community and an honor to see OUWB recognized at the international stage,” he added.

‘So grateful’

M1 Serly Tomas said she found it important to attend the conference and bring awareness to research conducted by her group.

The research surrounded their 66-year-old donor in OUWB’s anatomy lab, who was discovered to have an implant to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), a route that is rarely taken to treat the condition.

“It was a unique case finding,” said Tomas. “It was a penile implant that had never been seen before. We wanted to present it at the conference to raise more awareness about the implant itself (because) people tend to hesitate to get an implant.”

Tomas said it was the faculty who pushed the students to present their findings.

“Dr. Gemechu and Dr. Barremkala were very helpful. They were the ones who guided us throughout the entire process,” said Tomas. “(Dr. Gemechu) encouraged us to write an abstract and to write a presentation.

Once this abstract was submitted, and subsequently accepted, OUWB funded the trip.

“I am so grateful to have this opportunity,” said Tomas.

Jonathan Xi presented his group’s research on the Baker cyst and said that the support of faculty was “instrumental.”

“We were also very fortunate to have a lot of support and help from the OUWB anatomy faculty, specifically Dr. Barremkala,” said Xi. “He served as our mentor for the anatomy project, and I sincerely appreciate Dr. Barremkala’s expertise, help, time and effort he put into us.”

Xi’s group is looking to further the work they’ve begun.

“I’m definitely interested in pursuing more research endeavors in the future,” Xi said. “I'm currently working on additional anatomy projects regarding our Baker cyst. Our group has a plan for an educational module. We also plan on writing up a case report.”

Nadia Shebli shared similar sentiments.

“I’m really excited to get started on more research…it’s a way to connect with people you wouldn’t otherwise know, but who are doing similar work to what you are doing,” she said.

Shebli’s group researched a lung lobe that outgrew and surrounded a vein and said she will never forget the experience of attending the conference.

“This was my first time going to a research conference,” said Shebli. “It was really cool to see other kinds of research that people were doing and meeting people who all are in the same area (of research).”

She also expressed gratitude for the help she received.

“The faculty is so supportive and they really want to see students get the most out of the experience,” said Shebli

Barremkala said there are many reasons OUWB officials offer support.

“Attending Anatomy Connected provides our students with a great opportunity to engage with their peers from other medical schools from the U.S. and other countries,” he said.

“This will enhance our students' understanding of the current ideas and research practices which will help their professional development,” he added. “They are also representing OUWB at an international stage.”

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