In 2024, our department was honored to be selected as one of 43 sites nationwide to participate in the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER) Medical Student Anesthesia Research Fellowship (MSARF) program. This honor reflects our commitment to advancing the field of anesthesiology and fostering the next generation of physician-scientists. The FAER MSARF program was established to inspire promising medical students to explore careers in anesthesiology research and perioperative medicine, providing them with invaluable opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research and clinical experiences.
This summer, 74 medical students from across the United States were chosen to take part in this eight-week fellowship, gaining hands-on experience within leading academic anesthesiology departments. Among them were our 2024 MSARF fellows, Julian Abt and Waleed Mujib, who have both demonstrated exceptional dedication and passion for the field.
Julian Abt
Julian Abt, a magna cum laude graduate from Washington University in St. Louis, where he majored in Biology with a concentration in neuroscience, is currently a second-year medical student at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. During his MSARF fellowship, Julian conducted research at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital under the mentorship of Grace Lim, MD, MS. His project focused on the potential benefits of ketamine, a drug commonly used for depression, on pain outcomes in patients hospitalized after suicide attempts. Julian’s research aims to shed light on ketamine’s dual role in managing both pain and depression, which often co-occur in patients, offering hope for more comprehensive treatment strategies.
Julian is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to present his findings in his poster titled “Effect of Ketamine on Pain Outcomes for Patients Hospitalized After Suicide Attempt” at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2024, the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). He hopes that his work will contribute to a deeper understanding of ketamine’s potential as a therapeutic agent for these challenging conditions.
Waleed Mujib
Waleed Mujib, originally from New Jersey, is a rising second-year medical student at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. During his FAER fellowship, Waleed collaborated with Dr. Lim on a research project that examined pain sensitivity in women with and without opioid use disorder during their third trimester and postpartum periods. This research is particularly significant, as adequate pain control during these critical times has profound implications for both maternal and neonatal health.
Waleed is passionate about using his research to advocate for improved pain management strategies tailored to the needs of different patient populations. His work underscores the importance of personalized care and the need for ongoing research to enhance outcomes for mothers and their newborns.
As Julian and Waleed prepare to present their scientific findings at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2024, we commend their hard work and dedication. Their contributions to the field of anesthesiology are a testament to the impact that the FAER MSARF program continues to have in shaping the future of medical research and practice. We look forward to seeing their continued success and the positive impact of their work on the field.