Medical Student Research Symposium set for March 27 – Virginia Tech News

The annual event highlights medical student research and recognizes Letters of Distinction recipients.
23 Mar 2026
The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine will host its annual Medical Student Research Symposium from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, March 27, at the school’s building at 2 Riverside Circle in Roanoke. The event is free and open to the public.
The symposium showcases original research conducted by medical students across clinical science, biomedical research, health systems, and community health. Through poster and oral presentations, students share findings developed in collaboration with faculty mentors and health system partners.
For students, the symposium represents more than a presentation opportunity, it reflects a core element of the school’s scientist-physician training model.
“This symposium highlights the depth of inquiry and intellectual curiosity our students bring to medicine,” said Leslie LaConte, associate dean for medical education. “Research is not separate from patient care, it strengthens it. Our students are learning how to ask better questions and use evidence to guide the care they provide.”
Throughout their medical education, students work alongside faculty mentors to design studies, analyze data, and interpret findings that address real-world health challenges. The symposium provides a forum to present that work to peers, faculty members, clinicians, and community members.
Projects featured this year explore topics ranging from how different nutrients and processed foods affect brain inflammation, to how a minimally invasive spine surgery affects patient mobility and recovery, to how brain chemicals change during attention and reaction-time tasks. Twelve students will be recognized with Letters of Distinction for exemplary research contributions.
Medical school Dean Lee Learman said the symposium underscores the role of academic medicine in advancing knowledge while preparing future physicians to lead in a rapidly evolving health care landscape.
“Our students are gaining the habits of inquiry that define scientist physicians,” Learman said. “They are learning to evaluate evidence, challenge assumptions, and contribute to the improvement of patient care. Their projects include a broad range of topics, from bench to bedside to community, and were mentored by faculty with an impressive range of disciplinary expertise. The symposium allows us to celebrate that work and share it with our community.”
By bringing together students, faculty, clinicians, and the public, the event highlights how research conducted at Virginia Tech and in Roanoke connects to broader national health priorities. It also offers attendees the opportunity to engage directly with emerging the student researchers and explore how medical education integrates scientific discovery with clinical training.
Community members, health professionals, and prospective students are encouraged to attend.
Additional information about the symposium, including event details and student profiles, is available at medicine.vtc.vt.edu/events/2026-research-symposium.html.
Josh Meyer

Virginia Tech demonstrates impact as a global land grant – progressing sustainability in our community, through the Commonwealth of Virginia, and around the world.
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