Research

Research and scholarly activities start in the first semester with a focus on community-based topics. Students will complete their initial research project by the end of their second year. The goal for MSOM students is to develop research that addresses health disparities in Western Maryland and beyond, while also providing them with a thorough understanding of high-quality research practices.

MSOM students will have the opportunity to engage in research through a comprehensive program. The community-based research project will integrate connections to the community and emphasize best practices in research.

In their first year, students will select a research question, which could either be an existing question posed by other researchers or a new one. Students will work in groups of up to five, guided by a faculty member through the research process. Initial training will include the CITI course, with an additional opportunity to enroll in the Medical Education Research Certificate course (MERC) offered by AAMC. This course includes six workshops, each lasting three hours, for those interested in a more in-depth learning experience.

Faculty will assist students in developing a viable research question, writing an abstract, designing materials and methods, collecting data, and summarizing their findings. By the end of their second year, students will complete their research, create a bibliography that aligns with MeSH terms, and present their work through a paper, poster, or lecture. This research course, worth credit hours, is led by faculty over the first two years.

Audrey Vasaukas, Ph.D.

Associate Dean of Research 

Dr. Vasauskas received her BS in Biology from Mount Saint Mary’s University in Maryland and her PhD from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine (departments of Pharmacology and Comparative Medicine). She completed a four-year postdoctoral fellowship in the Center for Lung Biology at the University of South Alabama, and during this time received an F32 Ruth Kirschstein National Research Service Award by the National Institutes of Health to fund her work in pulmonary endothelial physiology. In addition to her pulmonary biology research, Dr. Vasauskas also has interest in the effects of proactive self-care and stress reduction, including nutrition, osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), yoga, and exercise on disease prevention and reversal. This interest is expanding from investigating effects of wellness proactivity on not only the individual, but also entire communities.

Dr. Vasauskas has been conducting research and teaching physiology, biology, and medical science-related courses for over 15 years and has mentored undergraduate, graduate, and medical students in both industry and academia. Prior to her career in academia, she spent several years in the biotechnology industry, where she served as project leader for oncology diagnostic development.

Dr. Vasauskas has experience in developing and growing institutional research programs, overseeing multiple research projects, instituting ensuring research compliance, maintaining and accreditation reports, and directing student and faculty research.  She most recently served as the Associate Dean for Research and Scholarly Activity and Associate Professor of Physiology at the Baptist University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Prior to that, she served as the Director of Research and Grant Development and Associate Professor of Physiology at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is also a registered yoga teacher and has been leading yoga classes since 2006.