2026 Seldin Research Symposium Awardees
It is our pleasure to announce the six Foster Fellows and other awardees for the 2026 Donald W. Seldin Research Symposium. These trainees presented work that spanned the breadth and depth of scholarly activity across the Department. The Foster Fellows will have the honor of giving an oral presentation during Internal Medicine Grand Rounds on Friday, April 24, at 8 a.m. in D1.502. At the end of the session, the audience will be asked to select from among them the 2026 Seldin Scholar. Additionally, we will present the awards celebrating Clinical Vignettes, Quality and Education at Parkland Hospital, Social Impact, and Basic Science.
Foster Fellows
The Foster Fellows are named in honor of Daniel W. Foster, M.D., the Department’s fourth chair. From 1987 to 2003, Dr. Foster spearheaded Internal Medicine’s remarkable academic growth, recruiting numerous outstanding faculty who went on to establish their own successful careers at UT Southwestern. Dr. Foster was strong advocate for the Department's house staff and a renowned physician-scientist who made significant contributions to our understanding of metabolism and diabetes pathophysiology. His visionary leadership enabled the launch of the transformative Dallas Heart Study, among other achievements.
George Doumat Kouja Makhoul, M.D.
Internal Medicine Resident
“Osteoporosis and Fragility Fracture Risk in Patients with Bronchiectasis: A Large Multicenter Population Analysis”
Mentored by Raksha Jain, M.D., M.S.C.I.
Lindsay Hill, M.D., Ph.D.
Hematology & Oncology Fellow
“In situ Production of Bispecific Antibodies Using Signal Peptide-Directed mRNA Lipid Nanoparticles”
Mentored by Daniel J. Siegwart, Ph.D.
Ayeeshik Kole, M.D., Ph.D.
Cardiology Fellow
“Discordance Between PREVENT Clinical Risk Score, Coronary Artery Calcium, and Quantitative Non-Calcified Plaque in Asymptomatic South Asian Adults: Insights from the SACTA Registry”
Mentored by Anand Rohatgi, M.D., M.S.C.I.
Krystal Lai, M.D.
Chief Resident for Quality and Safety
“Following Through from FIB-4 to Fibroscan: A Quality Improvement Project to Increase Liver Fibrosis Screening for Patients At-Risk for MASLD in the VA Primary Care Setting”
Mentored by Jacqueline O’Leary, M.D., M.P.H.
Ludovic Saba, M.D.
Internal Medicine Resident
“Comparative Validation of Prognostic Models for Transplant-Free Survival in TIPS: The Advancing Liver Therapeutic Approaches in Portal Hypertension (ALTA) Study”
Mentored by Lisa VanWagner, M.D., M.Sc.
Alexandra Sykes, M.D.
Cardiology Fellow
“Cardiovascular GME Didactic Curriculum: Current State, Gaps, and Future Directions”
Mentored by Lisa VanWagner, M.D., M.Sc.
Basic Science Awards
These two individuals in non-GME fellowship training are recognized for their innovative approaches and the impact of their work on expanding our understanding of basic scientific principles. As such, they not only highlight individual achievement, but also inspire future research and collaboration within the Department and beyond.
Kurt Reichermeier, M.D., Ph.D.
Pulmonary & Critical Care Fellow
“Pirfenidone Analogs Induce the Integrated Stress Response via GCN2-eIF2alpha-ATF4 to Inhibit Fibroblast Proliferation”
Mentored by Deepak Nijhawan, M.D., Ph.D.
Chunzi “June” Song, M.D., M.S.
Nephrology Fellow
“Prevention and Reversal of ADPKD with Anti-miR-17 Oligonucleotides”
Mentored by Vishal Patel, M.B.B.S.
Case Presentation Awards
These trainees are recognized for excellence in the presentation and analysis of clinical cases. Recipients have demonstrated exceptional skill in presenting a clinical case, including a thorough patient history, diagnostic process, treatment plan, and outcomes. Winning presentations are those that encourage continuous learning and improvement in clinical practice.
Swetha Davuluri, M.D.
Endocrinology Fellow
“Refractory Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A Rare Case of Exogenous Insulin Antibody Syndrome”
Mentored by Felona Gunawan, M.D.
Azucena Herrera Chancay, M.D.
Endocrinology Fellow
“Successful Management of Hypertension in Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Due to 17-Hydroxylase Deficiency With Crinecerfont: a Case Report”
Mentored by Oksana Hamidi, D.O.
Vinita Shivakumar, M.D., M.P.H.
Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Resident
“When Vasculitis Hides Its Head: Extracranial Giant Cell Arteritis Presenting as Inflammation of Unknown Origin”
Mentored by Michelle Sandoval Cabanas, M.D.
Research in Quality of Care & Education at Parkland Memorial Hospital
This award, sponsored by the Ron Anderson, M.D. Professorship in Clinical Care and Education at Parkland Memorial Hospital via the Hoblitzelle Foundation, recognizes excellence in clinical care with an emphasis on the importance of continuous improvement and education at Parkland.
Emmanuella Egbonim, M.D., M.P.H.
Cardiology Fellow
“Pre-Implementation Stakeholder Assessment to Support a Rapid Heart Failure GDMT Titration Clinic at Parkland Health: Insights From the STRONG-HF Early Adopter Program”
Mentored by Sandeep Das, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A.
Social Impact Award
The Social Impact Award recognizes scholarly activity that focuses on unmet clinical needs in underserved populations, moves the needle on social determinants of health, or raises the collective consciousness about health equity in medicine.
Tanvi Ingle, B.S.
Medical Student
“Gaps in Lipid Screening and Statin Use Among Uninsured Patients in a Charitable Community Clinic”
Mentored by Zahid Ahmad, M.D.