Top 16 Winners Announced for the 2026 Virtual Abstract Competition
Congratulations to the Top 16 Winners of SMA’s 2026 Virtual Abstract Competition!
With more than 50 abstracts presented during the August 4–6, 2026 virtual event, physicians-in-training from 33 medical schools and residency programs showcased their research and connected with peers. SMA extends its appreciation to every participant whose contributions made this year’s competition a success.
“We are incredibly proud of the talented medical students and residents who participated in this year’s competition and shared such engaging case presentations and insights into the latest developments in medicine and health care,” said SMA Executive Director Randy Glick. “Each presenter deserves recognition for the dedication and preparation they brought to the competition, and we commend them for contributing to the success of this year’s event.”
Top 16 Abstract Winners
Listed in alphabetical order
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus Presenting with Suspected Orbital Myositis Following Recent Recombinant Zoster Vaccination
Kelly Bates, BA
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Pregnancy Outcomes After Gynecologic Surgery with COSEAL
Racha Cherradi, BS
Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine
Disease-specific risk of hematologic malignancy in autoimmune bullous diseases
Varun Indugula BS, MS
UNC School of Medicine
Evaluating Patient Screening for an Anti-Tau Clinical Trial for Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease
Marianne Koleng, MS
Nova Southeastern University
The Role of Magnesium and Zinc Deficiencies in Exacerbating Interleukin-6 (IL-6) Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)
Joshua Lewis, BS
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
The Impact of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy on Healing and Complications Following Burn Injury
Agostino Loiacono, MD
HCA Houston Clear Lake / University of Houston
The Diagnostic Decoy: Acute Retroviral Syndrome Presenting as Fever and Myalgias in the Setting of Rhabdomyolysis
Rachel Lusk, BS
South Alabama College of Medicine
Unmasking the Trigger: Reactive Infectious Mucocutaneous Eruption Secondary to Parainfluenza Virus Type 2
Matthew Lynch, BS
University of Florida College of Medicine
Synchrony and Safety: Toward a Neurobiological Model of Therapeutic Alliance
Monisha Krishna Murthy, MD
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Familial Left Ventricular Noncompaction Presenting as Advanced Systolic Heart Failure: A Missed Opportunity for Genetic Evaluation
Teresa Nguyen, DO
Carilion Clinic Internal Medicine Residency
Linezolid Toxicity: A Case of Linezolid-Induced Pancytopenia
Jessica Olatt, BS
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
An Uncommon Presentation of Legionnaires’ Disease: Neurologic Symptoms and Acute Kidney Injury Preceding Respiratory Symptoms
Michael Roque, BS
UAB Heersink School of Medicine
Implementing Vision Education in a Student-Run Free Clinic to Promote Eye Care Behaviors
Abdul-Ahad Sheikh
University of Missouri - Kansas City
An Expanding Reliance: The Growing Role of Vascular Surgeons at the Center of Modern Trauma Care
Zachary Tucker, MS
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Multiple Trocar-Site Hernias Following Robot-Assisted Incisional Hernia Repair: A Case Report
Nithin Yenugu, MD
HCA Houston Healthcare
Mycoplasma pneumoniae Presenting as Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction: A Rare Extrapulmonary Manifestation
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE WINNERS?
The winners will be contaced by SMA regarding the logistics of presenting their abstracts in person at SMA’s Annual Scientific Assembly taking place November 6-7, 2026 in Houston, Texas, to compete for more than $4,000 in monetary prizes.
