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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Academic Excellence, Research Endeavors Recognized at NSU-COM Student Awards Ceremony
On March 19, 2009, a number of awards and scholarships were presented at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (NSU-COM) annual undergraduate student awards ceremony, which was held in the Health Professions Division’s Steele Auditorium.
Students were honored in areas such as research, academic excellence, and service.
Bergeron, Hardwick Receive Dr. Matthew Terry Scholarships
From left: Christine Bergeron, Anthony J. Silvagni, D.O., Pharm.D., dean of NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Jason Hardwick
First-year student Jason Hardwick and second-year student Christine Bergeron were the recipients of the 2009 Dr. Matthew A. Terry Scholarship Endowment. The academic accolade, which is accompanied by a $500 cash award, was established in 1999 to honor first- and second-year medical students who epitomize virtues such as scholastic excellence, service to the school, empathy, and congeniality.
The Dr. Matthew A. Terry Scholarship Endowment, which was the brainchild of the Department of Family Medicine, serves as a fitting tribute to NSU-COM students who embody the true spirit of an osteopathic practitioner.
Morcos Marches Off with Burnell Research Award
From left: Dr. K.V. Venkatachalam, David Morcos, and Leonard Levy, D.P.M., M.P.H., assistant dean of education, planning, and research.
Second-year student David Morcos was named the winner of the Ninth Annual Dr. Kenneth Burnell Student Research Award, which is presented to NSU-COM students who conduct outstanding research in either clinical medicine or biomedical science.
Morcos, who earned a $750 cash award as well as elective research credit on his transcript, was honored for his research project entitled “Molecular Cloning, Expression, and Characterization of Methionine-Gamma Lyase (MEGL) from Oral Pathogenic Organism Porphyromonas Gingivalis and its Clinical Relevance.” He conducted his research under the mentorship of K.V. Venkatachalam, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry at NSU’s College of Medical Sciences.
The award was created in December 2000 when Dr. Burnell provided a $50,000 endowment to the college for the purpose of recognizing student research. Following his death in 2005, Dr. Burnell’s will included a proviso that upped the endowment to $125,000.
Patel Receives David Spector Memorial Award
Jaimin Patel (third from left) poses with Howard Spector, Nancy Fagin, and Raymond Ferrero III, J.D., assistant professor of family medicine and NSU Health Professions Division executive director for intramural health affairs.
Second-year student Jaimin Patel was the recipient of the David Spector Memorial Award, which is presented annually to a first- or second-year osteopathic medical student who has participated in research pertaining to the prevention or treatment of substance abuse.
The award, which is accompanied by a $500 cash prize, was established in the summer of 2005 in honor of David Spector—an undergraduate psychology student in the NSU Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences who died from an oxycontin overdose in December 2004. Thanks to the benevolence of David’s father, Howard, who decided to find a positive outlet for his grief by establishing an endowment fund at NSU-COM, future generations of students will have an opportunity to conduct further research in this field.