On Thursday, April 30, NYU Grossman School of Medicine hosted its inaugural Medical Student Research Day—a celebration that included a poster exhibition featuring nearly 50 students’ research projects and an awards ceremony recognizing 26 honorees. With several faculty members, mentors, and NYU Langone Health leaders present, students proudly showcased their commitment to advancing medical research.

“We view the skills of research—the ability to ask and test a scientific question—as essential to being a well-rounded physician and the academic practice of medicine,” said Marc M. Triola, MD, senior associate dean for medical education and the founding director of the Institute for Innovations in Medical Education.

In NYU Grossman’s accelerated three-year program, all students participate in two core research-focused experiences: a six-week summer fellowship before they start their clinical clerkships in the second year, and an additional research project, which can take from eight weeks to a full year depending on their chosen track. Though the medical curriculum can be completed in three years, many students opt to add an additional fourth year, known as a Plus One year, to complete research or pursue a dual degree.

Kelly V. Ruggles, PhD, associate professor of medicine, is the director of integrated sciences and Plus One advising for NYU Grossman, overseeing student involvement in research projects. “It’s really important for us to have physicians involved in science,” said Dr. Ruggles. “It helps researchers prioritize what’s most important to study for the greatest benefit to patients.”

Following the awards ceremony, students took part in the poster exhibition, presenting their research findings to faculty and peers. One of them, Caroline Magro, chose the Plus One research track to shape her foundation in academic cardiac surgery, a field that blends research, teaching, and clinical practice. Her translational research project, “Proteomic, Transcriptomic and Metabolic Mediators of Post-Cardiopulmonary Bypass Vasoplegia Syndrome,” is part of an ongoing study in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery analyzing the mechanisms and risk factors of vasoplegic shock—when blood vessels suddenly go limp, causing low blood pressure—during open-heart surgery.

“I became involved in the project during my summer research fellowship in my first year, where I collected blood samples in the OR [operating room],” said Magro. She opted to continue the project during her Plus One year and now serves as a mentor to students considering the same path. “I’m hoping to go into academic cardiac surgery, and this research provides a good framework for what I want my career to look like.”

Not only do students benefit from working alongside world-class physicians at NYU Langone, but the physicians benefit too. Magro was mentored by Aubrey C. Galloway, MD, the Seymour Cohn Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at NYU Grossman. “It’s very stimulating for our research to have these young, talented people on our team,” said Dr. Galloway. “Caroline was a great asset, and it’s exciting to see students getting involved in research this early.”

Students pursuing the three-year medical school track also presented research, including Keenan Duggal, who presented his project, “Assessing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Surrounding Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Amongst NYU Langone’s Manhattan Outpatient Population.” He surveyed people on their beliefs about public health measures like mask wearing and social distancing. “Completing this public health research now will hopefully play a large role in my career trajectory,” he said. “Understanding people’s perceptions of public health will help me better communicate with them in the future as both a physician and public health professional.”

Pursuing research doesn’t just set students up for success—it can be fun too. “It’s different from their normal clinical work and taps into a different way to use their brain,” said Dr. Ruggles. “I want students to enjoy this experience as much as they can.”

NYU Grossman School of Medicine Class of 2026 Research by the Numbers

Since 2022, the class of 2026 has published 344 peer-reviewed journal articles. Of these, 49 are in journals with an impact factor greater than 10 (considered highly prestigious). Additionally:

• 86 students published at least one article.
• 33 students published more than four articles.
• 48 students published at least one first-author article.