Testimonials
Martha Dua-Awereh, PhD
Scientist and Designated Campus Colleague (Campus: University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson), Avery Therapeutics, Inc.
ABRCMS Involvement:
- ABRCMS 2011 Poster Awardee
- ABRCMS 2022-2023 Judge
ABRCMS Impact
“ABRCMS has provided a supportive community of advisors and mentees that I have formed long-lasting connections with and have invested in to support the next generation of scientists and researchers.”
Impact in the Field
Innovating Therapeutics for Chronic Fibrosis
Dua-Awereh leads late-stage pre-clinical research to advance bioengineered therapeutics aimed at treating chronic fibrotic diseases — conditions like heart disease, where current treatment options offer limited symptom relief. Her work bridges scientific discovery and product readiness, to help bring promising therapies closer to clinical application.
"ABRCMS has solidified my passion to pursue a MD-PhD program. After speaking to many MD-PhD students in various stages of their studies, talking to the representatives of MD-PhD programs, and attending the session on ‘Is MD-PhD right for me?’ I have a stronger understanding of what the program entails and the endless possibility of paths that I could take as a physician-scientist."
– ABRCMS 2022 Undergraduate Attendee
"I now know the need to join scientific conferences and get to interact and share your science with fellow researchers and also learn new ways of improving upon what I already know."
– ABRCMS 2022 Undergraduate Attendee
"The extraordinary focus on mentoring students through presentations, graduate school recruiters, professional development and motivational talks, having speakers that students can relate to, lunches and dinners that make the students, and faculty, feel like their current accomplishments and future potential are noticed, is all-around outstanding."
– Past Faculty ABRCMS Attendee
Joshua Brown, MD, PhD
Resident Physician, Emory University
ABRCMS Involvement:
- ABRCMS 2011 Poster Awardee
- ABRCMS 2024 Judge
ABRCMS Impact
“ABRCMS introduced me to the world of biomedical research and opened crucial career doors during the most formative years of my academic journey, ultimately setting the foundation for my path as a physician-scientist.”
Impact in the Field
Advancing Neurological Diagnosis and Global Collaboration
Brown applies cutting-edge MRI imaging techniques to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of neurological conditions such as epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases. In parallel, he develops digital platforms that connect researchers around the world. This crucial work helps accelerate scientific discovery and enhance patient care through global collaboration.
"I enjoyed the conference. ABRCMS is very organized, and it was easy to get housing near the site. The students who attended were of exceptional quality and we met many of them interested in our programs."
– ABRCMS 2022 Program Director
"As an exhibitor in-person this year, we were able to engage with students at all stages and share information about all of our research training opportunities. Moreover, we were able to talk one on one with students to answer targeted questions and give tips on connecting with investigators about internships etc."
– ABRCMS 2022 Exhibitor
"I had a fantastic time attending the Graduate Symposium! It was a great opportunity to be among peers who look like me and conduct fantastic research. I stuck to my guns and fought really hard to attend this symposium and I am really glad that I did."
– ABRCMS 2022 Graduate Symposium Attendee
Cezar Borba, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Associate, University of Florida-Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience
ABRCMS Involvement:
- ABRCMS 2016 Student Oral Awardee
- ABRCMS 2023 Judge
ABRCMS Impact
“[ABRCMS] was my first conference as an undergraduate researcher where I got to experience the wonderful scientific community for the first time, giving me the courage I needed to continue down my path. The second time [I attended], I came as a student presenter judge where I made wonderful connections with other mentors and judges. It helped secure me a path as a professor, where I may continue mentoring and teaching the future scientists as ABCRMS mentors have done for me.”
Impact in the Field
Pushing the Boundaries of Neural Discovery
Borba studies the comb jelly (ctenophore), considered the earliest common ancestor of all animals and the possessor of the longest independently evolved nervous system. His research investigates its functional and anatomical features to uncover whether these organisms hold unique neural mechanisms or shared traits — offering new insight into the fundamental principles of how neurons work.
"The symposium provided a safe space to discuss vital and important issues that cannot be done at our home campuses. It was especially impactful because it allowed us to see first-hand that we were not alone in our struggles. "
– ABRCMS 2022 Graduate Symposium Attendee
“It was a great experience, especially for my first time. I would definitely go again.”
— Student presenter
"The judges were nice, and it was a great time to have conversations with them."
— Student attendee
“Amazing! Great networking opportunity and it truly helped me prepare and fine-tune my presentation.”
— Poster practice room participant
“I absolutely loved it. I enjoyed practicing with a scientist; it helped relieve all my nerves and allowed me to present really well.”
— Practice room attendee
“As a first-time attendee, I loved ABRCMS! I learned so much and it was such an awesome opportunity to not only present my research but also increase my motivation to advance my career goals.”
— Undergraduate student
"Honestly, I did not know anyone when I came there and at the end of 4 days, I made really good connections. Every table I shared at the conference was open for interaction and understanding of each other's backgrounds and open to sharing ideas. I was really missing the in-person conference and ABRCMS gave me a great opportunity for interaction."
– ABRCMS 2022 Judge Travel Awardee
