“Research is a way of thinking about questions. How do we approach a problem and figure out what we can do? In medicine, the best information we have now is through clinical trials of what does and doesn’t work.” – Dr. D. Craig Ayre

NEW YORK (PRWEB)
November 22, 2022

The University of Medicine and Health Sciences, (UMHS), a small, mission-driven medical school with a commitment to student support and a legacy of successful residency placements in the United States and Canada, has published the video recording of its recent panel discussion, “Alzheimer’s Disease & Exploring Research in Medical School.” The event featured Dr. Craig Ayre, UMHS Associate Professor of Molecular Science, and Nihal Satyadev, a fourth-year medical student at UMHS and Co-founder of The Youth Movement Against Alzheimer’s, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting understanding of Alzheimer’s among youth and young adults by providing opportunities to help those affected by the disease. The discussion centered around the value of student research, connecting passion with research, and emerging trends in research and treatment for diseases like Alzheimer’s Disease. A recording of the event has been posted to the UMHS Live Events and Meetings page.

UMHS planned the livestreamed event to coincide with Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Each November, organizations including The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, plan events to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and show support for more than 6.2 million Americans living with the disease. During the discussion, Nihal described his work as a volunteer, advocate, and student researcher focused on advancing understanding of the disease and finding a cure, and Dr. Ayre shared why student research sharpens critical thinking, advances clinical understanding, and the promise of discovery.

“Research is a way of thinking about questions,” said Dr. Ayre. “How do we approach a problem and figure out what we can do? In medicine, the best information we have now is through clinical trials of what does and doesn’t work.“

As a medical student, Nihal Satyadvev pursued his passion for finding a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. While studying at UMHS, Nihal worked on a project in the anatomy lab and published case reports that qualified him to apply for a National Institutes of Health summer research internship. Based on his previous research, Nihal was awarded a grant to work at UCSD studying gene therapy for treating the neurodegenerative disorder.

“Alzheimer’s is the biggest threat to our healthcare system: 6.2 million people have Alzheimer’s, and 40% of their caregivers are diagnosed with depression,“ said Nihal. “[Gene therapy] is promising, but with all things Alzheimer’s we have to be patient and maintain hope.”

During the discussion, Dr. Ayre, who serves as Chair of the UMHS Research Department, described how gene therapy is providing a revolutionary approach to treating diseases in a way that was not previously possible – improving the prognosis for once-deadly diseases. He also shared advice for medical students interested in pursuing research opportunities and described emerging trends in research.

“The problems we’re tackling now in medicine are ones two or three generations ago we didn’t know existed,” said Dr. Ayre. He also offered the following advice, “Research is an act of passion. Find someone you want to work with and learn from them”

The talk was the latest in a series of live stream events featuring UMHS students, faculty, and alumni sharing their expertise on topics targeted toward current and prospective medical students and healthcare professionals. Past events include:

“Primary Care Spotlight: What is a Hospitalist?”

“Women’s Cancer Awareness: Doctors Discuss Ovarian, Cervical, and Breast Cancer Screening”

“Closing the Deaf Gap in Healthcare: Giving a Voice To Deaf Patients”

“Rural Medicine: Making a Difference in Underserved Areas”

“Non-Traditional Medical Student Livestream: A Student’s Perspective”

“LGBTQ+ Medicine & Theory”

“Pathways to Practicing Medicine in Canada: UMHS Alumni Share Their Experiences”

“UMHS Women in Medicine: A Conversation About the First Year of Residency,”

“Cardiology: A Discussion About Cardiac Care & Careers in Cardiology,”

“Black Women in Medicine: A Conversation About the Black Experience”

“Ask a Microbiologist,” and

“Suicide Prevention and the State of Psychiatry”

Links to view all past discussions may be found by visiting the UMHS live events and meetings page.

About UMHS

The University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS), is a small, mission-driven medical school with a commitment to student support and a legacy of successful residency placements in the United States and Canada. UMHS was founded in 2007 by medical education pioneers Warren and Robert Ross to deliver a highly personalized school experience. Graduates of UMHS earn a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) and qualify to practice medicine throughout the United States and Canada. Students begin their Basic Science studies in St. Kitts, West Indies, and complete their clinical training in the United States. With an unprecedented 96% student retention rate, the vast majority of students that begin their medical studies at UMHS go on to obtain residencies. For more information, visit https://www.umhs-sk.org/.

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