Students Showcase Discoveries at Institute for Biomedical Sciences Research Day

ATLANTA - Institute for Biomedical Sciences Research Day 2026, a student-led research symposium for undergraduate and graduate students in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences (IBMS) at Georgia State University, featured outstanding student research projects, award presentations and career discussions by industry and academic professionals.

The event, presented by the Translational Biomedical Sciences Student Association (TBSA), an organization for IBMS graduate students, was held in Veterans Memorial Hall Sept. 18. The event brought together nearly 60 students, nine faculty and staff members, and two sponsor representatives from CELLTREAT Scientific Products and STEMCELL Technologies who viewed nine poster presentations by undergraduate and graduate students and listened to six oral presentations by graduate students.

The symposium was led by TBSA President Yunju Jung, Vice President Fatemeh Mousavinasab and Secretary Bella Morris. The event's master of ceremonies was Daniela Ortiz-Salazar.

Students also competed for cash prizes. The winners were:

• Qian Liu, Shengnan Qian and Nana Ana Bentum for poster presentations (equal cash prizes, no ranking).
• Bella Morris, Toba Omotosho and Mahmuda Yeasmin for oral presentations (equal cash prizes, no ranking).

The Excellence in Mentorship and Student Engagement Award, which honors faculty who not only mentor students in research but also support and encourage their active involvement in IBMS Research Day, was presented to Distinguished University Professor Cynthia Nau Cornelissen, associate director of the Institute for Biomedical Sciences and director of the Center for Translational Immunology.

IBMS Research Day 2026 also featured an Industry Talk session. Sponsor representatives from CELLTREAT Scientific Products and STEMCELL Technologies gave short talks sharing their career journeys, why they chose to work at their current organizations and some of the innovative products and technologies developed by their companies. Students gained insider perspectives and firsthand insights that are typically only available to people working within the industry, while sponsors had the opportunity to introduce their organizations and products to students and faculty.

In addition, a Career Path Panel featured Adani Pujada, a lecturer in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences, and Wale Oyetunde, a current graduate student who recently secured an internship in Global Field Medical Training & Excellence at Biogen. They shared helpful tips on pursuing careers in academia and industry.