The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine proudly hosted its 8th Annual Research Conference on March 27, bringing together students, faculty, and guests for an afternoon dedicated to discovery, collaboration, and scholarly achievement.
This year’s conference featured an impressive 100 student research posters, highlighting the breadth and depth of scholarly activity across ICOM’s student body. From clinical case studies and public health research to advancements in medical education and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, the event reflected ICOM’s commitment to fostering inquiry and innovation in osteopathic medicine.
A keynote address was delivered by Arielle Milkman, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences at Colorado State University.
Following the keynote, attendees engaged with two poster sessions featuring ICOM student physicians. The posters spanned a wide array of topics, including rural healthcare delivery, surgical outcomes, neurological conditions, medical education strategies, and innovative biomedical research. Many projects were conducted in collaboration with regional and national partners, including healthcare systems and academic institutions, underscoring ICOM’s growing research footprint.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding student research contributions, including:
- Narrative Based Research Poster: Kayla Wayman, OMS-II
- Basic Science & Anatomical Variation Research Poster: Abbygail Furrow, OMS-II and Zirui Chen, OMS-II
- Case Study, Clinical, & Public Health Research Poster: Tyson Payne, OMS-II
- Medical Education, Qualitative Research, Artificial Intelligence, & Quality Improvement Poster: Annette Gonzalez, OMS-II and Abigail Sorapuru, OMS-II
- Peer Choice Research Poster: Kayla Bland, OMS-II, Jessica Papenfuss, OMS-I, Avery Erickson, OMS-II, and Samantha Kim, OMS-I
ICOM’s annual research conference continues to serve as a cornerstone event for the College, providing students with the opportunity to present their work and engage with peers and mentors. As participation and research output continue to grow each year, the conference reflects ICOM’s dedication to cultivating physician-scientists who are prepared to lead, innovate, and improve healthcare outcomes in Idaho and beyond.
