Medical student Hari Pradhyumnan was recognized at the 2025 UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine Medical Student Research Day (MSRD), where he was awarded first place in the Surgery category for his outstanding research presentation.
Pradhyumnan is his second year as part of the UAB Medical Scientist Training Program. This unique program is allowing him to become a physician-scientist by earning both his M.D. and his Ph.D. concurrently.
This summer, he trained with UAB Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Associate Professor Jillian Richter, Ph.D.This collaboration led to his award-winning presentation, titled “Resuscitation with Fresh Frozen Plasma Protects Against Memory Loss in a Mouse Model of Polytrauma and Hemorrhagic Shock.” The research explored the potential neuroprotective effects of plasma-based resuscitation following traumatic injury. Using a cognitive testing method known as Fear Conditioning, his team demonstrated that resuscitation with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) significantly improved memory performance compared to lactated Ringer’s (LR) solution after polytrauma and hemorrhagic shock.
These findings suggest that FFP may help preserve hippocampus-dependent memory by mitigating neuronal injury and inflammation secondary to hypovolemia. Cognitive dysfunction is a common consequence of severe trauma and hemorrhagic shock, even in the absence of direct brain injury, and can have long-term effects on survivors’ quality of life. By identifying potential neuroprotective mechanisms of plasma-based resuscitation, this work could help inform future changes in trauma care to improve neurological outcomes.
“I was drawn to this project because the effects of different resuscitation fluids on cognitive recovery after trauma are not well understood,” said Pradhyumnan. “Exploring the mechanisms behind plasma’s potential neuroprotective effects could have real implications for improving patient outcomes after injury.”
Richter, who conducts research through her Richter Lab, studies endothelial glycocalyx biology and vascular dysfunction in critical illness and trauma. Under her mentorship, trainees engage in multidisciplinary research bridging surgical science and translational medicine.
The Physician Scientist Development Office at the Heersink School of Medicine sponsors the annual MSRD event, with participation from faculty and trainees across multiple departments. Winners are selected based on scientific rigor, innovation, and quality of presentation.
“Hari’s success is a reflection of his hard work and the collaborative environment we strive to foster within our lab,” said Richter. “It’s exciting to see our trainees develop their scientific curiosity and present their work on such a prominent stage.”
The UAB Department of Surgery is deeply committed to advancing research training among future physicians through the Short-Term Research Experiences Advancing Medical Students (STREAMS) program. STREAMS provides mentored research opportunities for medical students interested in pursuing careers in academic surgery. Participants engage in 8–12 weeks of full-time, mentored research during the summer. Through STREAMS, Pradhyumnan joined the Richter Lab. The structured mentorship and dedicated research time provided by the program enabled him to design, execute, and present his project, which ultimately earned top recognition in the Surgery category at MSRD 2025.
About the UAB Medical Student Summer Programs
The Medical Student Summer Research Programs at UAB provide opportunities for medical students to engage in research during the summer between their first and second years of medical school. Participants explore a wide range of disciplines, including basic biomedical, clinical, translational, educational, community-based, public health, and outcomes research. These immersive experiences often culminate in poster and oral presentations at the annual MSRD, held each fall, where students showcase their findings to peers and faculty.