Graduate Studies Program

Convocation and Commencement

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER May 8, 2020

ORDER OF EXERCISE H. Dele Davies, M.D., M.S., M.H.C.M. Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dean, Graduate Studies

NATIONAL ANTHEM

Cacey N. Vavra College of Allied Health Professions

INVOCATION*

Ashton Olivia Wyrick College of Public Health

WELCOME

H. Dele Davies, M.D., M.S., M.H.C.M. Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dean, Graduate Studies

CHANCELLOR’S REMARKS

Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. Chancellor

DEAN’S REMARKS

H. Dele Davies, M.D., M.S., M.H.C.M. Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dean, Graduate Studies

GREETINGS FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Geoffrey M. Thiele, Ph.D. President, Graduate Studies Alumni Engagement Council

DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE STUDENT MENTOR AWARD

Scott E. Mulder President, Graduate Student Association

GRADUATE STUDENTS OF DISTINCTION

Pamela K. Carmines, Ph.D. Executive Associate Dean, Graduate Studies

THOMAS JEFFERSON INGENUITY AWARD

Kendra K. Schmid, Ph.D. Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Assistant Dean, Graduate Studies

PRAESTO AWARD

Kendra K. Schmid, Ph.D. Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Assistant Dean, Graduate Studies

STUDENT SPEAKER

Saswati Karmakar Ph.D. Candidate, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

HOODING & OATH

H. Dele Davies, M.D., M.S., M.H.C.M. Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dean, Graduate Studies

HONORARY DOCTORATE OF SCIENCE

H. Dele Davies, M.D., M.S., M.H.C.M. Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dean, Graduate Studies

J. G. ELLIOTT AWARD

H. Dele Davies, M.D., M.S., M.H.C.M. Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dean, Graduate Studies

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

H. Dele Davies, M.D., M.S., M.H.C.M. Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dean, Graduate Studies

CONFERRAL OF DEGREES**

Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. Chancellor

PRESENTATION OF MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL DEGREE RECIPIENTS MOVING OF TASSELS AND RECOGNITION OF SUPPORT

Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. Chancellor

CONCLUDING REMARKS

H. Dele Davies, M.D., M.S., M.H.C.M. Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dean, Graduate Studies

BENEDICTION*

Sarah Kate Hotovy College of Medicine

*Student-Initiated **All graduate degrees are granted by the University of Nebraska Graduate College

HONORARY DOCTORATE OF SCIENCE

DOYT L. CONN, M.D. Nebraska native and UNMC alumnus Doyt Conn, M.D., is honored with the Honorary Doctorate of Science Degree for high distinction in the use of his skills in medicine, science, and teaching to serve his fellow man.

Dr. Conn’s commitment to medicine and service is so great that after his retirement from a 25-year distinguished career at the Mayo Clinic, he soon embarked on a second act. Following a three-year stint as senior vice president for medical affairs for the National Arthritis Foundation, he again became a full-time clinician, scientist and educator at Emory University School of Medicine and Grady Health Systems in Atlanta, which is the fifth-largest public hospital in the U.S. There, he threw himself into understanding the challenges faced by patients from an underserved population, who often were on Medicaid or had no insurance at all. It was a job he would not have been up to earlier in his career, Dr. Conn said, adding: “The journey from Mayo to Grady is as long as any in American medicine.”

Dr. Conn also was involved in providing medical services during humanitarian crises while serving as medical director of Americares in the 1990s. He helped establish medical services in Kenya for Somali refugees and helped set up a hospital in Rwanda to serve survivors of the Rwandan genocide.

Dr. Conn is the former director of rheumatology at Emory, Grady and the Mayo Clinic. He is currently professor emeritus at Emory University School of Medicine, and he resides in Rochester, Minnesota.

Dr. Conn has published more than 200 papers, abstracts and book chapters, and he helped train more than 100 rheumatology trainees at Mayo and Emory.

He is a former military surgeon at the U.S. Public Health Service, Galveston, Texas. Dr. Conn was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. He is a proud product of Gering High School, Nebraska Wesleyan University and the UNMC College of Medicine. He has been honored with numerous awards and is a respected publications editor.

The university is proud to confer this honorary degree on Dr. Doyt Conn.

J. G. (JACK) ELLIOTT AWARD

ROGER REAMER, M.B.A. Roger Reamer is honored today with the J.G. Elliott Award for his decades of service to his fellow Nebraskans, notably as a leader and advocate for health care administration, public health initiatives and health science education for rural communities.

Although he has served for more than two decades as CEO for Memorial Health Care Systems in Seward, NE, Reamer’s service has reached far beyond his community and county. Roger’s passion and commitment fuels his dedication to ensuring excellence in health care services for patients, medical professionals and communities across the state.

He has respect for, and a strong understanding of, the vital service rural health care delivers to smaller communities.

He has provided leadership, direction and development skills to establish and strengthen rural health care and is a dedicated advocate for rural health policy development. His leadership and collaborative efforts have helped rural hospitals and health care organizations improve delivery of care and build effective alliances for long-term sustainability.

He has served on the American Hospital Association Board, Nebraska Hospital Association Board, State of Nebraska Board of Health, Four Corners Public Health Department, as well as rural health and health education boards.

During the current COVID-19 public health emergency, Reamer’s leadership is crucial on two fronts: the hospital side, and within the district health department.

The J.G. Elliott Award is given annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to medicine and health programs for the state of Nebraska. It is awarded in memory of Jack Elliott, a former Scottsbluff resident, who served on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents for 20 years until his death in 1974.

The University is proud to present this award today to Roger Reamer.

UNMC CHANCELLOR’S DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

ANNE M. HUBBARD, M.D. Anne Hubbard, M.D., a physician, philanthropist, and UNMC alumna, is honored with the UNMC Chancellor’s Distinguished Service Award for her longtime commitment to the university and to ensuring a healthy future for our state.

Dr. Hubbard is now retired from an outstanding career in academic and clinical medicine at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and at UNMC and Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha. She remains very well respected in her field of pediatric radiology and fetal and orthopedic imaging.

In her community service role, she does even more for all Nebraskans, in building upon the groundwork laid by her parents, Dr. Theodore Hubbard and Claire Hubbard. The Hubbards were tremendous supporters of the university, establishing the Theodore F. Hubbard, M.D., Chair of Cardiology and the Theodore F. Hubbard, M.D., Endowed Chair of Cardiovascular Research at UNMC. Through the Claire M. Hubbard Foundation, which honors her mother, Dr. Hubbard also has supported several organizations to advance the education, research and patient care missions of UNMC. Under Dr. Hubbard’s leadership, the foundation established the Claire M. Hubbard Professor of Health and Environment in the UNMC College of Public Health, among other initiatives. Dr. Hubbard is an engaged philanthropist, often linking multiple organizations to leverage the impact of the various programs she supports. She is dedicated to the education and health of children, underserved communities, and understanding the importance of the environment and natural resources to human health.

She serves on the boards of the St. Augustine Indian Mission, in Winnebago, NE, The Nature Conservancy of Nebraska, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, and the University of Nebraska Foundation Board of Trustees.

Dr. Hubbard grew up in Omaha, and graduated from UNL, and the UNMC College of Medicine. She completed her internal medicine residency at the Mayo Clinic, and her radiology residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

The university is proud to honor Dr. Anne Hubbard with the UNMC Chancellor’s Distinguished Service Award.

SPRING 2020 GRADUATES MASTER OF SCIENCE* Nawaf Abdullah R. Albaqami, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Emergency Preparedness Exploring Paramedic Students' Level of Preparedness for Disaster Response in Hajj 2019 (Advisor: Sharon J. Medcalf, Ph.D.)

Mohammed Abdulrehman Alhallaf, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Emergency Preparedness Planning and Facilitating the Training of Emergency Medical Services on the Safe Transport of Patients with Highly Infectious Diseases (Advisor: Sharon J. Medcalf, Ph.D.)

Vijaya Raj Bhatt, Kathmandu, Nepal Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area – Clinical & Translational Research Integrating Geriatric Assessment and Genetic Profiling to Personalize Therapy Selection in Older Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (Advisors: James O. Armitage, M.D., and Sarah A. Holstein, M.D.)

Luke Mark Doyle, Omaha, NE Medical Anatomy (Advisor: Karen A. Gould, Ph.D.)

Wael Mohamed Fathy ElRayes, Cairo, Egypt Emergency Preparedness Comparative Analysis of National Emergency Response Systems: A Pilot Study Towards Achieving a Standardized Global Emergency Management Framework (Advisor: Sharon J. Medcalf, Ph.D.)

Chun Feng, Wuxi, China Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area – Physical Therapy Education Effects of Liquid Viscosity and Food Texture on Swallowing Sounds (Advisor: Ka-Chun Siu, Ph.D.)

Margaret Mary Glick, Dallas, TX Medical Anatomy (Advisor: Shantaram S. Joshi, Ph.D.)

Andrew Michael Goldsweig, Farmington Hills, MI Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area – Clinical & Translational Research Mentored Scholars Program The evolving management of aortic valve disease: Trends in the utilization and cost of SAVR, TAVR, and medical therapy (Advisor: Brian D. Lowes, M.D., Ph.D.)

Daniel Hunter Gramer, Prospect Heights, IL Medical Anatomy (Advisor: Travis L. McCumber, Ph.D.)

John William Hao, Lincoln, NE Medical Anatomy (Advisor: Samantha M. Simet Chadwick, Ph.D.)

Sachin Kedar, India Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area – Clinical & Translational Research Effects of Acute Intracranial Pressure Changes on Optic Nerve Head Using Optical Coherence Tomography in Humans and Pig Model (Advisor: Matthew Rizzo, M.D.)

Ruchika Khot, Omaha, NE Medical Anatomy (Advisor: Karen A. Gould, Ph.D.)

Ashton Arett Legenza, Fremont, NE Medical Anatomy (Advisor: Shantaram S. Joshi, Ph.D.)

Claire Rose Moore, Beaver Lake, NE Medical Anatomy (Advisor: Samantha M. Simet Chadwick, Ph.D.)

Hunter David Peterson, St. Cloud, MN Medical Anatomy (Advisor: Karen A. Gould, Ph.D.)

Alyssa Marie Pierson, Sioux Falls, SD Medical Anatomy (Advisor: Shantaram S. Joshi, Ph.D.)

Baylor Grant Price, Norfolk, NE Medical Anatomy (Advisor: Travis L. McCumber, Ph.D.)

Itidal Mohamad Ali Reslane, Tripoli, Lebanon Immunology, Pathology & Infectious Disease Arginine Biosynthesis in Staphylococcus aureus (Advisor: Paul D. Fey, Ph.D.)

Katherine Jane Schulte, Omaha, NE Medical Anatomy (Advisor: Samantha M. Simet Chadwick, Ph.D.)

Andrew Sheeley, Cedar Rapids, IA Medical Anatomy (Advisor: Karen A. Gould, Ph.D.)

Emma Marie Sheeh Sheridan, Omaha, NE Medical Anatomy (Advisor: Shantaram S. Joshi, Ph.D.)

Melanie R. Thompson, Pilger, NE Emergency Preparedness The Escape POD: Utilizing Escape Room Methodologies to Train Public Health Volunteers on Open Point-of-Dispensing Operations (Advisor: Sharon J. Medcalf, Ph.D.)

Kaylee Breshon Townsend, Glenwood, IA Medical Anatomy (Advisor: Travis L. McCumber, Ph.D.)

Morgan Ashley Vidlak, Omaha, NE Medical Anatomy (Advisor: Samantha M. Simet Chadwick, Ph.D.)

Kasidy Kay Weber, Kearney, NE Medical Anatomy (Advisor: Karen A. Gould, Ph.D.)

Elisabeth Catherine White, Blair, NE Medical Anatomy (Advisor: Shantaram S. Joshi, Ph.D.)

McKinley Wells Wilson, Yutan, NE Medical Anatomy (Advisor: Travis L. McCumber, Ph.D.)

Anqi Zhang, Beijing, China Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area – Physical Therapy Education Immersive Virtual Reality Training Improved Upper Extremity Function in Patients with Spinal Cord Injuries: A Case Series (Advisor: Ka-Chun Siu, Ph.D.)

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Saud A. Almawash, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Pharmaceutical Sciences Nanocarrier Delivery of Hydrophobic Drugs for Treating Pancreatic Cancer (Supervisor: Ram I. Mahato, Ph.D.)

Mohannad A. Almikhlafi, Makkah, Saudi Arabia Pharmacology & Experimental Neuroscience Characterization of Parkinson's Disease Novel Animal Models (Supervisor: Howard S. Fox, M.D., Ph.D.)

Maggie Linn Bartlett, Grand Island, NE Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences – Immunology, Pathology & Infectious Disease Fundamental Differences in the B Cell Locus, V(D)J Repertoire, and Marburgvirus Epitope Recognition of the Egyptian Rousette Bat That May Allow for Asymptomatic Presentation (Supervisor: Mariano Sanchez-Lockhart, Ph.D.)

Andrew Pierce Blowers, Valencia, CA Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area – Applied Behavior Analysis Boundary Conditions of Observational Learning in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Supervisor: Kevin C. Luczynski, Ph.D.)

Andrew C. Cannon, Kearney, NE M.D./Ph.D. Scholar Biochemistry & Molecular Biology CXCR3 Axis in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (Supervisor: Surinder K. Batra, Ph.D.)

Joseph J. Carmicheal, Omaha, NE M.D./Ph.D. Scholar Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences – Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Novel Detection and Treatment Strategies for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (Supervisor: Surinder K. Batra, Ph.D.)

Damian Mark Daszynski, San Jose, CA Pharmaceutical Sciences Ocular, Neural, and Cellular Distribution of Multifunctional Antioxidants (Supervisor: Peter F. Kador, Ph.D.)

Trey Michael Farmer, Seward, NE Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Novel Regulatory Roles of Endocytic Membrane Trafficking Proteins in Mitochondrial Homeostasis (Supervisor: Steven H. Caplan, Ph.D.)

Joel Roger Frandsen, Grand Island, NE Pathology & Microbiology Flavonoid and Cannabidiol Neural Glyoxalase Pathway Enhancement Against Aging and Alzheimer's Disease (Supervisor: Prabagaran Narayanasamy, Ph.D.)

Sarah Diane Haney, Livonia, MI Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area – Applied Behavior Analysis An Evaluation of a Renewal-Mitigation Procedure for Inappropriate Mealtime Behavior (Supervisors: Cathleen C. Piazza, Ph.D., and Bethany A. Hansen, Ph.D.)

Rashelle Marie Hoffman, Holdrege, NE Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area – Munroe Meyer Institute The Neural Oscillatory Dynamics Underlying Motor and Cognitive Abilities in Children and Adults with Cerebral Palsy (Supervisor: Max J. Kurz, Ph.D.)

Saswati Karmakar, New Delhi, India Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Molecular Insights into PAF1-mediated Pancreatic Homeostasis, Stemness and Cancer Progression (Supervisor: Surinder K. Batra, Ph.D.)

Madeleine Diane Keevy, Norman, OK Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area – Applied Behavior Analysis Translational Evaluation of the Effects of Alternative Reinforcer Preference on Resurgence (Supervisors: Wayne W. Fisher, Ph.D., and Amanda N. Zangrillo, Ph.D.)

Smit Kour, Jammu, India Cancer Research Dimers of Isatin-Derived Spirocyclic NF-κB Inhibitor Exhibit Potent Anticancer Activity by Inducing UPR-Mediated Apoptosis (Supervisor: Amarnath Natarajan, Ph.D.)

Lisa Anne Krabbenhoft, York, NE Nursing Implementing a Self-Management Intervention at Discharge for Urinary Catheterization (Supervisor: Paula S. Schulz, Ph.D.)

Anyun Ma, Zhangjiakou, China Cellular & Integrative Physiology The Role of Central ACE2 and Nrf2 in Sympatho-Excitation: Responses to Central Ang II (Supervisor: Irving H. Zucker, Ph.D.)

Ciobha Anne McKeown, Los Angeles, CA Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area – Applied Behavior Analysis Examining the Generality and Social Acceptability of Early Friendship Skills (Supervisor: Kevin C. Luczynski, Ph.D.)

Analisa McMillan, Bellevue, NE Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area – Preventive & Societal Medicine Faculty and Student Perceptions of Teaching Presence: Implications for Student Satisfaction (Supervisor: Sharon J. Medcalf, Ph.D.)

Kayla Rechelle Randall, Hagerstown, IN Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area – Applied Behavior Analysis Sustaining Behavior Reduction by Transitioning the Topography of the Functional Communication Response during FCT (Supervisor: Brian D. Greer, Ph.D.)

Dilorom M. Sass, Omaha, NE Nursing The Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer-Related Fatigue and its Co-Occurring Symptoms (Supervisor: Paula S. Schulz, Ph.D.)

Simon Chul Shin, Seattle, WA M.D./Ph.D. Scholar Cancer Research Mitochondrial Metabolism as a Therapeutic Target for Pancreatic Cancer (Supervisor: Michael A. Hollingsworth, Ph.D.)

Shashank Shrishrimal, Bengaluru, India Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Molecular Mechanisms of Manganese Porphyrin Compounds in the Prevention of Radiation-Induced Fibrosis (Supervisor: Rebecca E. Deegan, Ph.D.)

Alexander Ian Wiesman, Omaha, NE Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences – Neuroscience Dynamic Oscillatory Interactions Between Neural Attention and Sensorimotor Systems (Supervisor: Tony W. Wilson, Ph.D.)

Nicholas Erasmo Wojtynek, Westchester, IL Cancer Research Development of Fluorescent Hyaluronic Acid Nanoparticles for Intraoperative Tumor Detection (Supervisor: Aaron M. Mohs, Ph.D.)

Macy Grace Wood, Ellsworth, WI Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences – Immunology, Pathology & Infectious Disease Determining the Role of Chlamydia trachomatis L2 Inclusion Membrane Proteins (Supervisors: Elizabeth A. Rucks, Ph.D., and Scot P. Ouellette, Ph.D.)

STUDENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS & ACTIVITIES Nawaf Abdullah R. Albaqami Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission Scholarship

Mohammed Abdulrehman Alhallaf King Saud University (Prince Sultan College for Emergency Medical Services) Scholarship Course Assistant, Global Center for Health Security

Saud A. Almawash Business for Bioscientists Certificate 3 publications 5 conference presentations King Abdullah Scholarship, Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission

Mohannad A. Almikhlafi 1 publication 6 conference presentations Harbert L. Davis Fellowship Norman Harris Award in Alzheimer Research Student President, Pharmacology & Experimental Neuroscience President, Saudi Student Association

Maggie Linn Bartlett NIH Molecular Modeling & Molecular Dynamics Certificate NIH Health Project Management Training Certificate 3 publications Travel awards to attend 2 national/international conferences 13 conference presentations; 4 best presentation awards Chancellor’s Outstanding Incoming Doctoral Student Scholarship Bioinformatics Research Education Pipeline Fellowship IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Fellowship NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Fellowship Leader of 500 Women Scientists (Frederick, MD, Pod) Founder and leader, Lean In (Frederick, MD, Chapter) Founder and leader, Grad Life Frederick Army Educational Outreach Program Next Generation STEM Teaching Project Advisor Graduate Student of Distinction

Vijaya Raj Bhatt 19 publications 7 conference presentations Co-chair, Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Working Group, Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium Co-chair, Myeloid Malignancies Clinical Trial Working Group, Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium

Andrew Pierce Blowers 9 conference presentations

Andrew C. Cannon 6 publications 7 conference presentations NCI F30 National Research Service Award Individual Predoctoral M.D./Ph.D. Fellowship Secretary, Graduate Student Association Student Representative, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Graduate Student of Distinction

Joseph J. Carmicheal 8 publications 8 conference presentations; 4 best presentation awards NASA Nebraska Space Grant Fellowship UNMC Program of Excellence Fellowship Finance Chair, American Physician Scientist Association Treasurer, Graduate Student Association M.D./Ph.D. Mentor, American Physician Scientist Association Applicant Interviewer, M.D./Ph.D. Scholars Program Planning Committee, MD/Ph.D. Scholars Annual Retreat Student Representative, Music as Medicine Summer Anatomy Tutor UNMC International Ambassador

Damian Mark Daszynski 1 publication 2 conference presentations UNMC Graduate Studies Assistantship/Fellowship UNMC Purdue Pharma Scholar

Wael Mohamed Fathy ElRayes Director (Middle East & North Africa Region), Global Center for Health Security Director of Evaluation, National Ebola Training and Education Center President, Nebraska Fulbright Chapter Board of Directors Chapter Advisory Board, Fulbright Association Regent Advisory Board, American College of Healthcare Executives (NE & Western IA Chapter)

Trey Michael Farmer 6 publications 4 conference presentations NCI F31 National Research Service Award Individual Predoctoral Fellowship UNMC Graduate Studies Assistantship/Fellowship Graduate Student of Distinction

Chun Feng Doctor of Physical Therapy degree 3 conference presentations

Joel Roger Frandsen 5 publications Travel awards to attend 3 national/international conferences 6 conference presentations 2 New Invention Notifications Student Engagement Chair, Graduate Student Association Mentor, UNMC High School Alliance Volunteer, Graduate student orientation Volunteer, Pediatric patient outreach Volunteer, Student Senate Day of Service

Andrew Michael Goldsweig 2 publications 19+ conference presentations Young Leadership Recognition Program, Cardiovascular Research Technologies Annual Conference Top Teacher 2018, Department of Internal Medicine UNMC Publication of the Quarter (2nd Quarter 2019) President, American College of Cardiology (Nebraska Chapter) Chair, Annual Meeting, American College of Cardiology (Nebraska Chapter) Advocacy Committee, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions Publications Committee, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions Structural Heart Disease Council, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions

Sarah Diane Haney 3 publications 6 conference presentations

Rashelle Marie Hoffman 8 publications Travel awards to attend 2 national/international conferences 7 conference presentations Foundation for Physical Therapy Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarship NU Presidential Graduate Fellow UNMC Graduate Studies Assistantship/Fellowship NASA Nebraska Space Grant Fellowship MSIA Program of Excellence Award William O. Berndt Travel Award Poster Session Moderator, North American Society for the Psychology of Sport & Physical Activity Abstract reviewer, American Physical Therapy Association (Geriatrics Section) Doctor of Physical Therapy student oversight, Interdisciplinary Jamaica Medical Service Trip Biannual Outreach Events for high school and middle school students Judge, Omaha Metropolitan Science Fair

Saswati Karmakar 12 publications Travel awards to attend 3 national/international conferences 10 conference presentations; 5 best presentation awards NCI F99/K00 Predoctoral-to-Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award UNMC Graduate Studies Assistantship/Fellowship UNMC Program of Excellence Fellowship India Association of Nebraska UNMC Student Award Outstanding Performance Stipend, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology UNMC Bernice & Norman Harris Excellence Fund Award for Cancer Research Young Investigator Award, American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research Cultural Chair, International Student Association International Student Chair, Graduate Student Association President, International Student Association Secretary, Graduate Student Association Secretary, International Student Association Student Representative, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Routine contributor, American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research Newsletter Graduate Student of Distinction Praesto Award

Sachin Kedar 4 publications 12 conference presentations Fellow, American Academy of Neurology Fellow, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society Curriculum Committee Chair, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society Graduate Medical Education Committee, UNMC College of Medicine Graduate Medical Education Executive Committee, UNMC College of Medicine Graduate Medical Education Finance Committee, UNMC College of Medicine

Madeleine Diane Keevy 2 publications 4 conference presentations Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis Innovative Student Research Grant Graduate Student of Distinction

Ruchika Khot Volunteer, Heartland Hope Mission

Smit Kour 4 publications UNMC Graduate Studies Assistantship/Fellowship

Lisa Anne Krabbenhoft 1 publication 4 conference presentations Nellie House Craven Scholarship in Academic Medicine Nu Rho-at-Large Chapter Scholarship, Sigma Theta Tau Jim & Faye Rasmussen College of Nursing Future Faculty Fellowship Sally Lusk Grant, Midwest Nursing Society Research Committee Chair, International Continence Society Nursing Committee, International Continence Society

Anyun Ma 10 publications 3 conference presentations UNMC Graduate Studies Assistantship/Fellowship Councilor, Nebraska Physiological Society Physiology Understanding (PhUn) Week Volunteer, American Physiological Society Tutor, Graduate Physiology

Ciobha Anne McKeown 2 publications 5 conference presentations Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis Sidney W. & Janet R. Bijou Grant Guest Reviewer, Association for Behavior Analysis International Science Board Guest Reviewer, Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Student of Distinction

Analisa McMillan 9 conference presentations

Hunter David Peterson Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity

Kayla Rechelle Randall 3 publications Travel award to attend 1 national/international conference 9 conference presentations UNMC Program Delegate, Association for Behavior Analysis International

Itidal Mohamad Ali Reslane Fulbright Scholarship

Dilorom M. Sass 5 publications Travel awards to attend 2 national/international conferences 8 conference presentations; 1 best presentation award Nellie House Craven Scholarship Oncology Nursing Foundation Research Doctoral Scholarship NIH National Institute of Nursing Research Graduate Partnership Program Award Graduate Research Award (Translational Science), National Institutes of Health Graduate Research Award (Best New Proposal), National Institutes of Health First Place, Elevator Pitch Competition, National Institutes of Health Graduate Student Council Emerging Scholars Network Liaison for UNMC College of Nursing, Midwest Nursing Research Society Student Liaison, Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences, National Institutes of Health Contributing Editor, NIH Graduate Student Council Chronicles Graduate Student of Distinction

Simon Chul Shin 2 publications 1 conference presentation UNMC Graduate Studies Assistantship/Fellowship

Shashank Shrishrimal 5 publications 9 conference presentations Travel awards to attend 2 national/international conferences UNMC Graduate Studies Assistantship/Fellowship Student Senate Information Technology Liaison, Student Senate Treasurer, Graduate Student Association Latta Lectureship Committee

Melanie R. Thompson Certificate in Public Health 1 conference presentation Public Health Workforce Scholarship Co-Secretary, Rural Region One Medical Response System Emergency Response Section Chair, Public Health Association of Nebraska Board of Directors Secretary, Elkhorn Valley Local Emergency Planning Committee NACCHO Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Emergency Preparedness & Response Workgroup

Elisabeth Catherine White Volunteer, UNMC High School Alliance Volunteer, Omaha International Horse Show

Alexander Ian Wiesman 20+ publications Travel awards to attend 2 national/international conferences 18+ conference presentations NASA Nebraska Space Grant Fellowship NIA F31 National Research Service Award Individual Predoctoral Fellowship Outstanding Scholar in Neuroscience Award NIH Trainee Professional Development Award Interactive Educator, NeuroWow! Judge, Metropolitan Science and Engineering Fair Volunteer, UNMC Skate-a-thon for Parkinson’s Graduate Student of Distinction Thomas Jefferson Ingenuity Award

Nicholas Erasmo Wojtynek Business for Bioscientists Certificate 6 publications 5 conference presentations UNMC Graduate Studies Assistantship/Fellowship Student Representative, Graduate Studies Alumni Engagement Council National Cancer Institute Nano Startup Challenge in Cancer UNeMed Tech Transfer Bootcamp Volunteer, UNMC Makes a Difference Day

Macy Grace Wood 5 publications 8 conference presentations; 3 best presentation awards UNMC Program of Excellence Fellowship Co-student Representative, IGPBS-IPID doctoral program

Anqi Zhang Doctor of Physical Therapy degree 1 conference presentation

POSTGRADUATE APPOINTMENTS MASTER OF SCIENCE Nawaf Abdullah R. Albaqami Ph.D. Student, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY

Mohammed Abdulrehman Alhallaf Lecturer, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Vijaya Raj Bhatt Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Luke Mark Doyle Medical Student, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Wael Mohamed Fathy ElRayes Instructor, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Andrew Michael Goldsweig Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Sachin Kedar Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Ruchika Khot Medical Student, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Ashton Arett Legenza Medical Student, Creighton University, Omaha, NE

Claire Rose Moore Physician Assistant Student, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA

Baylor Grant Price Medical Student, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Itidal Mohamad Ali Reslane Ph.D. Student, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Emma Marie Sheeh Sheridan Medical Student, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Melanie R. Thompson Emergency Response Coordinator, Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department, Wisner, NE

Kasidy Kay Weber Ph.D. Student, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

POSTGRADUATE APPOINTMENTS DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Saud A. Almawash Assistant Professor, Shaqra University, Shaqra, Saudi Arabia

Mohannad A. Almikhlafi Assistant Professor, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia

Andrew Pierce Blowers Clinical Supervisor, Therapeutic Pathways / East Bay Kendall Center, Dublin, CA

Andrew C. Cannon 3rd Year Medical Student, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Joseph J. Carmicheal 3rd Year Medical Student, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Trey Michael Farmer Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Sarah Diane Haney Postdoctoral Fellow, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD

Rashelle Marie Hoffman Postdoctoral Fellow, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO

Saswati Karmakar Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Madeleine Diane Keevy Assistant Professor, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Lisa Anne Krabbenhoft Nurse Specialist, UNMC College of Nursing - Lincoln Division, Lincoln, NE

Analisa McMillan Director of Educational Design & Development (COPH), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Kayla Rechelle Randall Postdoctoral Fellow, University of North Carolina - Wilmington, Wilmington, NC

Dilorom M. Sass Postdoctoral Trainee, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD

Simon Chul Shin 3rd Year Medical Student, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Shashank Shrishrimal Postdoctoral Associate, Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Alexander Ian Wiesman Postdoctoral Fellow, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

Macy Grace Wood Am. Society for Microbiology CPEP Fellow, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

AWARD CRITERIA GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION’S DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE STUDENT MENTOR AWARD The Graduate Student Association’s Distinguished Graduate Student Mentor Award recognizes and rewards faculty whose teaching affects graduate students and who impresses upon the students the need to care deeply about their studies.

The judging criteria include general advising and mentorship, mentoring in research, communication skills, and career preparation. Nominations are submitted by graduate students and scored by a review committee composed of students and postdoctoral fellows.

Adam J. Case, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Cellular & Integrative Physiology

THOMAS JEFFERSON INGENUITY AWARD The Thomas Jefferson Ingenuity Award recognizes a senior graduate student who has exhibited unmatched creativity and ingenuity in completing the research requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. In the context of this award, ingenuity and creativity are defined broadly, varying from making a discovery at the molecular level to improving the quality of life for a physically and/or mentally ill patient. Dr. Manuchair Ebadi established the award in 1994 in honor of the previous UNMC Chancellors, and his support of the award has continued thereafter (now, posthumously). Each Ph.D.-granting program at UNMC may nominate individuals for the award, with the UNMC Graduate Council selecting the awardee from the slate of nominees.

Alexander Ian Wiesman Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences - Neuroscience

PRAESTO AWARD The Praesto Award is the highest honor endowed upon a graduating M.S. or Ph.D. student by UNMC Graduate Studies. The award is presented to the most outstanding graduate in recognition of exceptional accomplishments spanning multiple arenas – academics, research, leadership, service and outreach.

Members of the UNMC Graduate Council submit nominations for the Praesto Award, and a Selection Committee is tasked with choosing the winner from this pool of candidates. The Praesto Award Selection Committee consists of the Dean of Graduate Studies, the Executive Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, and the President of the Graduate Student Association.

Saswati Karmakar Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

UNMC CONVOCATION AND COMMENCEMENT COMMITTEE Virtual Convocation and Commencement ceremonies for each UNMC College and for Graduate Studies were planned by a Special Functions Committee with representatives from across the UNMC community: Alumni Association

Catherine Mello Kat Hamilton

College of Allied Health Professions

Maggie Winnicki Nicki Simmons

College of Dentistry

M. W. (Dub) Vogt Erin Wirth

College of Medicine

Gerald (Jay) Moore Kitty Dybdall Lisa Paquette

College of Nursing

Molly Belieu Peggy L. Pelish

College of Pharmacy

Mandi Fisher Christopher L. Shaffer

College of Public Health

Jessica Tschirren

Graduate Studies

Pamela K. Carmines Terri Vadovski

Public Relations

Kacie Baum Stacie Hamel Kalani Simpson

Student

Sarah Hotovy

Student Success

Barb Breazeale Phillip D. Covington Matthew Schill

GOVERNANCE BOARD OF REGENTS JAMES D. PILLEN, D.V.M., Columbus, Chairman TIMOTHY F. CLARE, J.D., Lincoln HOWARD L. HAWKS, M.B.A., Omaha PAUL R. KENNEY, B.S., Amherst ELIZABETH O’CONNOR, J.D., Omaha BOB PHARES, B.A., North Platte ROBERT SCHAFER, J.D., Beatrice BARBARA WEITZ, M.P.A., M.S.W., Omaha

EMILY JOHNSON, University of Nebraska-Lincoln NICOLE KENT, University of Nebraska at Kearney KEITH OZANNE, University of Nebraska Medical Center AYA YOUSUF, University of Nebraska at Omaha

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA ADMINISTRATION WALTER E. CARTER, B.S., President SUSAN M. FRITZ, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Provost CARMEN K. MAURER, J.D., Corporation Secretary DOUGLAS A. KRISTENSEN, J.D., Chancellor, University of Nebraska at Kearney RONNIE D. GREEN, Ph.D., Chancellor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln JEFFREY P. GOLD, M.D., Chancellor, University of Nebraska Medical Center and University of Nebraska at Omaha CHRISTOPHER J. KABOUREK, M.B.A., Vice President for Business and Finance/Chief Financial Officer JAMES P. POTTORFF, J.D., Vice President and General Counsel HEATH M. MELLO, B.A., Interim Vice President for University Affairs and Director of State Relations MICHAEL J. BOEHM, Ph.D., Vice President and Vice Chancellor of Agriculture and Natural Resources BRET R. BLACKMAN, B.S., Vice President for Information Technology/Chief Information Officer

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER JEFFREY P. GOLD, M.D., Chancellor MICHAEL A. ASH, M.D., Vice Chancellor for Information and Technology ROBERT D. BARTEE, M.A., Vice Chancellor for External Relations BRADLEY E. BRITIGAN, M.D., Dean, College of Medicine KENNETH H. COWAN, M.D., Ph.D., Director and Physician-in-Chief, Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center; Director, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer H. DELE DAVIES, M.D., M.S., M.H.C.M., Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Dean, Graduate Studies DOUGLAS A. EWALD, M.P.A., Vice Chancellor for Business, Finance and Business Development JANET M. GUTHMILLER, D.D.S., Ph.D., Dean, College of Dentistry ALI S. KHAN, M.D., M.P.H., Dean, College of Public Health JENNIFER L. LARSEN, M.D., Vice Chancellor for Research JAMES LINDER, M.D., CEO, Nebraska Medicine KYLE P. MEYER, Ph.D., M.S., P.T., F.A.S.A.H.P., Dean, College of Allied Health Professions JANE MEZA, Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor for Global and Student Support KAROLY MIRNICS, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Munroe-Meyer Institute KEITH M. OLSEN, Pharm.D., Dean, College of Pharmacy JULIANN G. SEBASTIAN, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., Dean, College of Nursing

UNMC GRADUATE COUNCIL IGPBS = Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences MSIA = Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area

CHANDRAN ACHUTAN, Ph.D., Environmental Health, Occupational Health & Toxicology KESHORE R. BIDASEE, Ph.D. , IGPBS – Neuroscience LAURA D. BILEK, Ph.D., Co-Director, MSIA CAROL A. CASEY, Ph.D., MSIA – Clinically Relevant Basic Research KAUSTUBH DATTA, PH.D., IGPBS – Biochemistry & Molecular Biology ANDREW T. DUDLEY, Ph.D., IGPBS – Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology KAREN A. GOULD, Ph.D., Medical Anatomy; Co-Director, IGPBS CHITTIBABU (BABU) GUDA, Ph.D., IGPBS – Bioinformatics & Systems Biology KATHLEEN M. HANNA, Ph.D., Nursing GLEB HAYNATZKI, Ph.D., Biostatistics JAMES C. MCCLAY, M.D., Biomedical Informatics SHARON J. MEDCALF, Ph.D., Emergency Preparedness; MSIA – Health Practice & Medical Education Research AARON M. MOHS, Ph.D., Pharmaceutical Sciences JUSTIN L. MOTT, M.D., Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D. Scholars SCOTT MULDER, Graduate Student Association President NICOLE M. RODRIGUEZ, Ph.D., MSIA – Applied Behavior Analysis NORA E. SARVETNICK, Ph.D., MSIA – Regenerative Medicine & Biomaterials Design DAVID H. SHAW, Ph.D., MSIA – Oral Biology; Co-Director, MSIA MARK D. SHRIVER, Ph.D., Applied Behavior Analysis (M.S.) RAKESH K. SINGH, Ph.D., IGPBS – Immunology, Pathology & Infectious Disease KA-CHUN (JOSEPH) SIU, Ph.D., MSIA – Patient-Oriented Research JOYCE C. SOLHEIM, Ph.D., IGPBS – Cancer Research LAUREY A. STEINKE, Ph.D., Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (M.S.) MELISSA K. TIBBITS, Ph.D., Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Research HONGMEI WANG, Ph.D., Health Services Research, Administration & Policy SHINOBU WATANABE-GALLOWAY, Ph.D., Epidemiology LANI (CHICHI) M. ZIMMERMAN, Ph.D., MSIA - Clinical & Translational Research Mentored Scholars MATTHEW C. ZIMMERMAN, Ph.D., IGPBS - Integrative Physiology & Molecular Medicine

UNMC GRADUATE STUDIES H. DELE DAVIES, M.D., Dean, Graduate Studies PAMELA K. CARMINES, Ph.D., Executive Associate Dean, Graduate Studies KENDRA K. SCHMID, Ph.D., Assistant Dean, Graduate Studies TERRI A. VADOVSKI, Director of Graduate Studies CODY R. PHILLIPS, Graduate Studies Specialist EMILY E. BRANDT, Graduate Studies Admissions & Assessment Specialist

ACADEMIC REGALIA The caps and gowns worn during formal academic occasions in American colleges today are the direct descendants of the everyday costumes worn in the universities of medieval England. Each school had its own special attire so that an Oxford student could be distinguished from a Cambridge student, or a divinity student from a layman.

Several costumes from European institutions may be worn by faculty in a typical UNMC Convocation or Commencement Ceremony.

Because of the tremendous growth of American colleges and the confusion that would result if each were to adopt a distinctive costume, the Intercollegiate Bureau of Academic Costume was organized. The Bureau has established a uniform Code that over 700 institutions have adopted. Harvard, practically alone, still clings to its own traditional costumes.

The distinctions of the Code are simple, there being three types of gowns and three types of hoods for bachelors, masters, and doctors, respectively. The bachelor’s gown has a long-pointed sleeve, whereas the master’s gown has a long-closed sleeve, square at the end with an arc of a circle above the bottom. The sleeve extends well below the knee, the arm coming through a slit near the elbow. The doctor’s gown is characterized by a voluminous bell-shaped sleeve on which appear three velvet bars, and by velvet facings or panels of the same color down the front. The navy-blue gown trimmed with scarlet velvet, worn by some members of the faculty, indicates fellowship in the American College of Surgeons.

The hood is the most important and distinctive feature of the Code. The hoods for all degrees are lined with silk in the official academic color or colors of the institution conferring the degree and have an edging or trim of velvet, the color of which indicates the course or faculty to which the degree pertains. The lining is exposed when the hood is worn. The bachelor’s hood is rather short with a narrow velvet edging. It is not worn by candidates for the baccalaureate but only by those upon whom this degree has been previously conferred. The master’s hood is considerably longer, has a wider velvet edging, and exposes more of the lining. The doctor’s hood is easily recognized since, of the three types of hoods, it has the widest velvet edging, greatest length, and fullest exposure of the lining, and has wide panels at the side.

The black mortarboard cap with tassel is worn with each type of gown. Those holding a doctor’s degree are privileged to wear a gold tassel. Master’s and bachelor’s degree candidates wear black gowns and tassels that are either black or of the color appropriate to the degree in which they are being graduated. Marshals wear cardinal tassels. The members of the Board of Regents wear doctor’s gowns.

In some fields of study, candidates receiving degrees with distinction, high distinction and highest distinction wear medallions with red ribbons, white ribbons and red and white ribbons respectively. Candidates receiving medallions have demonstrated superior academic aptitude during their course of study.

At UNMC, the most outstanding M.S. or Ph.D. candidate (Praesto Award recipient) wears 3 honor cords – a red cord denoting energy, creativeness, drive, and leadership; a white cord denoting a bright, highly motivated individual with the ability to clear obstacles; and a third cord with these colors intertwined with black to reflect the ability to be focused while keeping matters in perspective.

In UNMC Convocation & Commencement Ceremonies, each degree candidate and faculty member wears academic regalia bearing velvet of one of the following colors (symbolizing various fields of study): Allied Health Professions

Green

Dentistry

Lilac

Medicine

Green

Nursing Pharmacy

Apricot Olive Green

Philosophy Physical Therapy Public Health Science

Royal Blue Teal Salmon Golden Yellow

UNMC GRADUATE STUDENT OATH I faithfully pledge to uphold my professional integrity by maintaining the highest standard of ethics and quality in my pursuit of academic and professional excellence.

I will uphold an unwavering commitment to report and interpret my research or professional findings with steadfast honesty and clarity.

I pledge to share openly and generously my discoveries, obstacles, and triumphs.

I will work to improve our world through communication with peers and teaching students of all ages.

I will strive to be continually conscious of the responsibility that accompanies the endowment of my degree.

It is with tremendous pride and enthusiasm that I seal my commitment to advance humanity through extraordinary biomedical research, teaching or provision of service.