Brown’s American Physician-Scientist Association chapter recently hosted its second annual conference at the Warren Alpert Medical School. The conference featured speeches, student research presentations, and panels exploring diverse career paths for physician-scientists.
Anna Kimata MD’26 GS, the president of Brown’s APSA chapter, explained that the conference had a dual purpose: to support physician-scientists in training by providing essential resources and to facilitate learning from accomplished physician-scientists outside of Brown.
The keynote speaker, Vivian Cheung, shared insights into her medical journey and research on human genetics and gene regulation, particularly focusing on ALS4, a neurological disease impacting muscle strength.
Cheung offered advice to current students, emphasizing the importance of seeking support within the community and urging them to define their unique journeys in medicine.
The conference also provided a platform for students to showcase their research. Adam Friedberg ’19, a Brown MD/PhD student, discussed his work investigating conserved genetic and molecular mechanisms related to sleep disorders.
Abby Frenkel MD’27 presented research on total knee replacements, highlighting the role of anesthesia in pain management and post-surgery outcomes.
Prospective students, including Jackie Lee ’27, found the event valuable in understanding the intersection of being a physician and scientist. Lee expressed that the conference helped her appreciate how research contributes to patient care.
