The UAB Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) hosted the Southeastern Medical Scientist Symposium (SEMSS) on September 27-28 at the UAB Marnix E. Heersink Institute for Biomedical Innovation. SEMSS is a student-run conference designed to bring together both current and aspiring physician-scientists from around the southeastern United States and beyond to share research and build community.

This year's event was organized by a dedicated team of MSTP students, including several from the Department of Pathology. Courtney Swain, MS3, served as chair of the organization committee, Li'an Williams, GS2, served as co-chair elect, Ian Miranda, GS3, served as chair of the communications subcommittee, and Mahima Reddy, GS2, served as member of the communications and abstract review committees.

Swain, Williams and Miranda are MSTP trainees in the laboratory of Lalita Shevde-Samant, Ph.D., Professor, Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Associate Director for Education and Training, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. Reddy is an MSTP trainee in the laboratory of Adam Wende, Ph.D., Professor, Molecular and Cellular Pathology.

Keynote speakers included Robin Lorenz, M.D., Ph.D., founding conference member and former program director of UAB MSTP, and James Markert, M.D., MPH, Chair, UAB Neurosurgery. Originally founded at UAB in 2010, this year’s event celebrated 15 years of fostering physician-scientist development and regional collaboration. This year, 287 attendees representing 48 institutions were welcomed to campus.

SEMSS conference will be hosted at Emory University in 2026. Learn more here.