Midwestern University Showcases Health Sciences Innovation at Annual Kenneth A. Suarez Research Day

Midwestern University’s Glendale Campus hosted the annual Dr. Kenneth A. Suarez Research Day on April 10, 2026. The event, named in memory of the late Kenneth A. Suarez, Ph.D., who served the University for over 25 years as a Professor of Pharmacology and Associate Vice President of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, honors his legacy of fostering student interest in academic inquiry.

“Completing research allows me to think with a different lens and to be more analytical as I study medicine,” said Shelby McMurray (AZCOM ’28), who received recognition at KAS Research Day in 2024 and 2026. “My previous and current research at Midwestern University is in the basic sciences. Without foundational sciences and confirmation of concepts through research, medicine would not be where it is today.” 

By the Numbers: A Campus-Wide Effort

This year’s event showcased the breadth of research across all eight Glendale colleges. The program featured 207 total poster presentations, which were divided into morning and afternoon sessions in the Science Hall.

Of the total presentations, 172 student-led posters were eligible for formal judging. To qualify, the primary presenting author was required to be an MWU student, with individuals participating in multiple projects selecting a single poster for evaluation. Additionally, seven posters were presented by faculty and staff.

The distribution of student posters highlights the diverse academic focus of the Glendale Campus:

• Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM): 113
• College of Pharmacy, Glendale (CPG): 17
• Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine (AZCPM): 16
• College of Dental Medicine-Arizona (CDMA): 14
• College of Health Sciences (CHS): 13
• Arizona College of Optometry (AZCOPT): 13
• College of Graduate Studies (CGS): 8
• College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM): 6

The day also included eight oral presentations. These talks were selected by the University Research Committee to represent the pinnacle of research from each college. Beyond the physical campus, ten Graduate Medical Education (GME) residents from partner sites — including Verde Valley Medical Center, Kingman Regional Medical Center, Canyon Vista Medical Center, and the Midwestern University Multispecialty Clinic — participated via virtual poster sessions.

Keynote and Recognition

The afternoon featured a keynote address by Erin Stephenson, Ph.D. (CGS-Downers Grove), Associate Professor, Anatomy, titled "Conducting a Symphony: Harmonizing Highly Metabolic Organs Under Bioenergetic Pressure."

Following the address, the University announced awards for top-tier research. More than 90 faculty and staff judges evaluated the sessions, resulting in 20 college-specific poster awards, two oral presentation awards, and five GME resident awards. All student winners received a commemorative plaque and a $250 monetary award, while GME residents received tiered rewards ranging from $50 to $500.

“This recognition was deeply meaningful to me,” said Lily Cohen (AZCPM ‘27), who received recognition for an Outstanding Student Poster Presentation. “This was my third time participating in KAS Research Day, and it felt especially rewarding to see the cumulative effort from my didactic training, clinical experiences, and research development come together. It affirmed that the time and dedication I’ve invested have a tangible impact.”

2026 Kenneth A. Suarez Research Day Honorees

Oral Presentation Awards

Morning Session

• Evaluating Adherence to “Choosing Wisely” Guidelines: A Retrospective Review of Chest Radiograph and Viral Testing in Pediatric Emergency Cases
  Rylee Johnson, Yana Nemanova, John Ashurst, Anthony Santarelli (Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine)

Afternoon Session 

• Effect of Dry Needling on Upper-Limb Spasticity after Stroke: A Systematic Review
  Joshua Thomason, Jocelyne Salazar-Pelayo (College of Health Sciences-Glendale Campus)

Outstanding Student Poster Presentations

Graduate Medical Education (GME) Resident Awards

• First Place: Ritu Yadav (Verde Valley Medical Center)
• Second Place: Marissa Paredes (Midwestern University Multispecialty Clinic)
• Third Place: Wei Jin Wong (Kingman Regional Medical Center)
• Fourth Place: Palak Gupta (Verde Valley Medical Center)
• Fifth Place: Jennifer L. Aron (Kingman Regional Medical Center)