2026 Pediatric trainee research symposia showcase scholarly work

Each year, the Department of Pediatrics hosts engaging symposia that provide learners at all levels the opportunity to present research, quality-improvement initiatives, and other innovative projects developed throughout the academic year. These events foster an interactive and supportive environment where presenters are encouraged to showcase their best work while receiving constructive feedback that supports their growth as clinician-scientists.

Pediatric Resident Research Symposium

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

12:30 to 4 p.m. |  Hermann Conference Center and Atrium

There were 4 oral platform presentations and 28 posters. The 4th Annual Pediatric Resident Research Symposium Abstract Booklet (external link) features the full abstracts for all entries.

Best Oral Platform Presentation

Byte-Sized Evidence: An Innovative Email Journal Club
Alayna Garcia, MD; Emmalee Holt, MD; Shivani Briggs, MD

Best Clinical Case Report

Setting the Tone: Hypotonia in a Term Infant
Dominique “Nikki” Dagdag, MD; Nicola Harris, DO; Elizabeth Hillman, MD, MEd

Best Quality Improvement/Patient Safety Initiative

Improving Emergent Phenobarbital Load Administration Time in Neonatal Patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Chandler Sargent, MD; Gretchen Von Allmen, MD; Amir Khan, MD; Emily Warden, PharmD; Christine Domonoske, PharmD; Mamta Naik, PharmD

Best Original Research

Impact of Tracheal Aspiration Cultures on Antibiotic Decisions and Clinical Recovery in Pediatric Chronic Tracheostomy Patients with Tracheitis in the PICU
Sung-Hoon Park, MD; Savannah Jenkins, DO; Timothy Mok, DO; Ngoc-Anh Nguyen, MD; Valentina Melo, MD; Mitchell Moore, MD; Hunter Hamilton, MD

Excellence in Health Advocacy

TRAQ to the Future: Improving Pediatric-to-Adult Care Transitions
Rhorer Legendre, MD; Saloni Sharma, MD; Dion Kevin, MD; Amina Aslam, MD; Sarah George, MD, MPH; Zachary Loomer, DO; Elizabeth Rodriguez, MD; Jerry Yin, MD; Ariana Klein, MD; Jillian Smith, MD

 

Pediatric Fellow Research Symposium

Thursday, May 28, 2026

8:50 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |  Hermann Conference Center

25 presenters participated, about 40 abstracts were received.

Presentation Awards

1st Place: Maggie Aucoin, MD, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
TLR4, LY96, and MYD88 in the Blood Predicts Necrotizing Enterocolitis: Evidence from Preterm Infants and a Mouse Model
Mentor: Michael Chang, MD

2nd Place: Caitlin Stoll, DO, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
Postnatal Skin Maturation in Infants <25 Weeks’ Gestation
Mentor: Matthew Rysavy, MD

3rd Place: Samarchitha Magal, MD
Sociodemographic Patterns in evaluation for Prenatal Myelomeningocele Repair: A Single-Center Longitudinal Analysis Using a Texas Statewide Database
Mentor: Suzanne Lopez, MD

Second Year Fellow Winners for Abstract Submission

1st Place: Meena Vegesna, MD, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
Exposure to Oxidized Surfactant Protein A Increases Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Expression in Alveolar Macrophages

2nd Place: Maria Belen Cubria, MD, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
Augmented Renal Clearance and Vancomycin AUC/MIC Dosing in Pediatric Sepsis: A Single-Center Prospective Cohort

2nd Place: Adrian Gutierrez, MD, MD Anderson Pediatric Hematology
CD 70-Directed CAR NK Cell Therapy in Osteosarcoma: Cytotoxic Efficacy and Emerging Links to IL-17 Pathways

Many thanks to all volunteer judges:

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