Current Research Projects

• Helen Baker, Ph.D., MBA 
• Kristie Grove Bridges, Ph.D. 
• Hugh Clements-Jewery, Ph.D. 
• Edward P. Dugan, Ph.D. 
• Gretchen Lovett, Ph.D. 
• Jandy Hanna, Ph.D. 
• Carolyn Komar, Ph.D. 
• Judy Maloney, Ph.D. 
• Rebecca Pratt, Ph.D. 
• John Schriefer, Ph.D. 
• Karen Steele, D.O. 
• Jack Thatcher, Ph.D. 
• Peter Ward, Ph.D. 

Helen Baker, Ph.D., MBA   

Project Title

Academic Outcomes

Project Objectives

WVSOM continually strives to improve program quality, and help graduates be the best possible osteopathic physicians, and to serve in specialties and geographic areas. The office of Assessment and Educational Development works to provide project evaluation information relevant to these goals. Furthermore, information normally collected as part of program evaluation and curriculum development efforts are reviewed to see if procedures or results would contribute to the national body of medical education literature.

Funding Source

WVSOM department funding and support from the Rural Health Education Partnerships (RHEP) project.

Typical Projects

Community-based osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) student clinic: a means to increase student confidence in OMM.

Community-based osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) student clinic: a means to increase student confidence in OMM. Community-based osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) student clinic: a means to increase student confidence in OMM.

Evaluation of a required statewide interdisciplinary rural health education program: student attitudes, career intents and perceived quality.

Correlates with a Third-Year OSCE: Admissions, Courses, Written Boards, PE, and Specialty Choice.

Conducing an Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE) for second year osteopathic medical students.

Relations Between Academic Performance by Medical Students and COMLEX-USA Level 2: A Multisite Analysis.

Can an Internet based system assist with administration and distance learning for third and fourth year rural clinical rotations?

Prediction of Student Performance on COMLEX USA Level 1 Examination based upon Admission Data and Course Performance.

Further details can be obtained by reviewing the RECENT PUBLICATIONS LISTING.

For Further Information

Please contact Dr. Helen Baker by email at hbaker@wvsom.edu.

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Kristie Grove Bridges, Ph.D.  

Research Interests

Targeting metabolic alterations in cancer

In recent years, it has become evident that cancer cells rely upon increased lipid synthesis and amino acid catabolism for growth and invasion.  Compounds that block these processes can inhibit the replication of cancer cells but the downstream mechanisms through which they exert their antiproliferative activity are not clear.  There is some evidence suggesting that the inhibition of lipogenesis may have an impact on nucleotide metabolism and that anti-obesity drugs such as Orlistat may have downstream effects on ribonucleotide reductase.  This project will explore the connections between these metabolic pathways in cancer cells and investigate the effects of lipogenesis inhibitors on the activity of anticancer drugs such as Gemcitabine. Because increased ribonucleotide reductase expression is a major mechanism leading to Gemcitabine resistance in lung cancer, the use of these compounds in combination may be able to restore sensitivity. 

 Changes in salivary biomarkers after Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (in collaboration with Dr. Brian Griffith and Dr. To Shan Li)

Although OMT has proven to be a powerful therapeutic tool, the mechanisms through which it exerts its effects are not well understood.  In addition, clinical trials to more thoroughly investigate the therapeutic efficacy of OMT have suffered from the lack of validated control manipulations.  Saliva is a dynamic fluid and contains many molecules whose concentrations change in response to a variety of stimulations.  For example, salivary amylase is a marker of sympathetic activity while salivary IgA levels are believed to partially reflect immune function.  Profiling of salivary biomarkers has a number of applications including early detection of disease and evaluation of physiologic response to stress.  The aim of this study is to profile the changes in salivary biomarkers upon OMT.  A standardized OMT protocol will be compared to several control protocols.  These studies will enable the identification of a sham protocol that is similar to the treatment protocol but does not cause the same alterations in salivary biomarkers.  Subsequent clinical trials can then be designed using this information.  Exploring the effects of OMT on biomarkers will also provide a better understanding of its physiologic effects and will enable the development of animal models of OMT.

For Further Information

Please contact Dr. Kristie Grove Bridges by email at kbridges@wvsom.edu

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Hugh Clements-Jewery, Ph.D.   

Research Interest

Role of myocardial biochemicals in triggering ventricular fibrillation
My research investigates the role of biochemicals found within the ischemic or infarcting myocardium in triggering a lethal arrhythmia called ventricular fibrillation.

 Background:

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major cause of premature death in the United States. Lethal ventricular tachyarrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation (VF) are accepted as a major cause of SCD, but VF and SCD remain major therapeutic challenges since currently there are no drugs to prevent VF.

 Myocardial ischemia occurs when a coronary artery or one of its major branches becomes blocked. This leads to accumulation of some biochemicals and metabolites within the myocardium which would otherwise be removed by the blood flow, and depletion of various substances that are usually supplied by the blood (e.g. oxygen). If ischemia is prolonged for several minutes, the tissue starts to die and cannot be saved even if blood flow is restored. This process is called infarction.

Arrhythmias: A major feature of myocardial ischemia and infarction is the occurrence of arrhythmias. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is the most lethal of these. VF often occurs unpredictably when the victim is outside of the clinic, which, aside from ethical reasons, makes it difficult to study in humans. Luckily, we can reliably cause myocardial ischemia and trigger ventricular arrhythmias in the lab with the use of an animal model. The two main models I use are the isolated rat heart and the anesthetized rat. Arrhythmias can be evoked reliably by simply tying off a coronary artery with a ligature.

The isolated heart is a reliable, interesting and useful preparation. It is useful because it allows the investigator to control lots of variables that otherwise might confound interpretation of any data. It also produces lots of arrhythmias, which make it useful for my research! Anesthetized rats have the advantage that they are more intact and therefore potentially more relevant for testing effects of various drugs, etc.

An example of what VF looks like on the ECG 

Project details:

• Influence of mitochondrial membrane potential on arrhythmogenesis during regional ischemia

Recent studies have revealed a potential role for mitochondria in reperfusion-induced VF. Prevention of depolarization of the inner mitochondrial membrane, which ordinarily occurs during reperfusion following a period of ischemia, through pharmacological block of the Ca uniporter or inner membrane anion channel (IMAC) has been shown to prevent reperfusion-induced VF. It is also proposed that mitochondrial depolarization plays a critical role in cell death during ischemia/reperfusion. Although it is known that mitochondrial depolarization occurs during ischemia, no studies have sought to explore the relationship between mitochondrial depolarization and arrhythmogenesis that occurs in the same temporal period of ischemia.

It is proposed to study the role of mitochondrial depolarization on ventricular arrhythmogenesis (especially VF) in isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts subjected to regional myocardial ischemia (produced by coronary ligation). It is hoped to achieve this by using a number of pharmacological tools that can be used to block various mitochondrial processes and transporters, thereby affecting the degree of polarization of the inner mitochondrial membrane.

• Role of diastolic Ca leak on triggering Ca waves in isolated perfused hearts
• Sounds

 In a rabbit model of nonischemic heart failure, it has been proposed that there is increased diastolic leak of calcium (Ca) from the intracellular stores known as the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). It is thought that this increased diastolic Ca leak may lead to the triggering of waves of Ca release within individual myocytes and consequent arrhythmias caused by delayed after depolarizations. Isoproterenol challenge in isolated myocytes is also proposed to increase the size of the SR Ca store as well as diastolic SR Ca leak and the occurrence of Ca waves. On the other hand, low concentrations of caffeine (0.5 mM) increase SR leak without increasing the size of the Ca stores. To test the role of SR leak in arrhythmogenesis, it is proposed to study whether supplementation with the Krebs perfusate with β-agonists and/or low concentrations of caffeine can induce arrhythmias in normal (nonischemic, nonfailing) isolated hearts and whether susceptibility to arrhythmias can be increased by inclusion of small amounts of Barium (10 µM), a blocker of the inward rectifier K⁺ current, together with blockers of the delayed rectifier K⁺ current to mimic the heart failure phenotype. It is anticipated that these studies will provide some information in an intact heart preparation about the potential role of Ca waves within individual cells in producing global arrhythmias, to complement data already obtained in isolated myocytes.

If you are interested in doing some research in my lab, you will learn to use the isolated rat heart preparation and learn to evoke arrhythmias by tying off the left main coronary artery. However, we can discuss the nature of your involvement. If you are interested, contact me!

For Further Information

Please contact Dr. Hugh Clements-Jewery by email at hclements-jewery@wvsom.edu.

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Edward P. Dugan, Ph.D.   

Project Title

The influence of nonantimicrobial drugs and herbal extracts on the activity of traditional antibiotics against bacterial pathogens

Background

In antimicrobial drug development the dual objectives are to maximize a product's ability to kill the pathogen and to minimize its effects on the host. On the other hand, nonantimicrobial drugs are developed without consideration for their possible effects on microorganisms.

In most instances they are evaluated almost exclusively on their ability to solve a specific host problem, and side effects are evaluated in relation to the appropriate systems of the host. Thus, when a nonantimicrobial drug undergoes clinical trials any effect on microorganisms are generally ignored.

Today, the use of herbal extract supplements by many individuals has made this a milti-million dollar business. Most herbals are still in need of more scientific experiments to substantiate the various medicinal claims of these products. Few, if any, have been viewed from the standpoint of potentiating or aggravating the effects of antibiotics upon pathogenic bacteria.

Goal

Nonantimicrobial drugs and herbal extracts will be screened for their effect on the susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria treated with traditional antimicrobial agents.

Funding Source

WVSOM intramural funding

For Further Information

Please contact Dr. Edward Dugan by email at edugan@wvsom.edu.

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Gretchen D. Lovett, Ph.D.     

Healthcare Communication:

In recent years, the importance and science of good healthcare communication practices have come to the fore in medical education.  With the development of specific communication models and strategies, high-stakes evaluations of student and practitioner communication and interaction skills have been developed.  Research into the effectiveness of communication training is very important as we move forward with this newer area of our medical education curriculum.  As an institution of Osteopathic Medicine, our strong focus on the whole person, beyond the disease state, often is realized in the way we interact with patients.  Caring for the persona as an individual with emotions, concerns and a life beyond the examining room, is a strong emphasis in our communication education and our goal is to validate this approach through research in this area.

Medical Education and Examination:

At the WVSOM Learning Enhancement and Assessment Program, our goal is to improve student learning through individual and group interventions.  Research into the effectiveness of this initiative is an important ongoing component of this effort.  What academic skills and strategies promote success in medical school?  What supports enable students to overcome emotional and stress obstacles to success.  These are questions that we are working to address through our research of these issues.  Furthermore, we are working on various research projects that analyze the many interrelationships between aspects of academic success in medical school including grades in medical school and performance on medical licensing board examinations.

 For Further Information

 Please contact Dr. Gretchen Lovett, by e-mail at glovett@wvsom.edu 

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Jandy Hanna, Ph.D.      

Locomotion Web Site 

Project Title 

Mechanics of climbing by primates: Linking muscle energy use with power output during vertical movement

Background

Proper muscle function is a significant factor in an individual’s ability to move and undertake daily tasks.  Aging individuals often exhibit loss of muscle function and strength, making demanding tasks such as stair climbing and incline locomotion difficult and often dangerous.  This loss of function and reduced activity often leads to osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.  Our understanding, however, of exactly how muscles function in consuming energy and producing power, and how this relationship influences the costs of daily activities, is sorely lacking.  We can better understanding this relationship by exploring muscle activity and metabolic costs during complex vertical movements such as uphill walking and running, stair climbing, and jumping.  This proposed study will provide invaluable data for modifying exercise regimes in an effort to maintain muscle function and bone density in the aging population. 

Studying vertical movements provides an ideal way to explore precisely the relationship between work and metabolic costs.  Models of vertical movement by humans, however, (ladders and rock walls, references) do not allow for safe collection of data in aging individuals.  It is, therefore, necessary to use an animal model for this study.  Climbing is important in the locomotor repertoire of all non-human primates, which are closely related historically and anatomically to humans.  Thus, non-human primates represent model organisms for understanding the relationship between muscle power production and energy consumption (efficiency) during vertical movement.

Goal

To determine energetic efficiency, joint moment strategies, and how these parameters change with age in two species of non-human primate (Macaca fascicularis and Saimiri sciureus) during climbing.  These data will be used to develop a specific model of the relationship of work and efficiency across age that can be compared with human data (joint angle and EMG) from the literature to better understand efficient and function-saving strategies during stair climbing and other daily activities. 

Signficance

The significance of this study is that a model organism for studying human locomotor biomechanics and energetics will be identified, so that future studies can collect basic, in vivo (and invasive) data that will assist in the understanding and prevention of injuries to the human musculoskeletal system in aging individuals.

Funding Source

           WVSOM Intramural funding

Planned:           NIH AREA program

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Carolyn Komar, Ph.D.   

Research Interest

Proper functioning of the ovary is critical for fertility in mammalian females.  One focus of Dr. Komar’s laboratory is to advance knowledge of gene regulation in the ovary.  This information will enable us to better identify what goes awry leading to sub- and infertility.  In addition, understanding gene regulation in the ovary will allow for development of methods to inhibit or enhance fertility, and potentially to regulate ovarian function in order to extend a female’s reproductive potential. 

Using both classical whole animal and molecular analysis techniques, one goal of Dr. Komar’s research is to elucidate how a family of transcription factors, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), influence gonadal function at the systems, cellular, and molecular levels.  Dr. Komar shown that the three PPAR family members a, d, and g, are expressed in the ovary.  Interestingly, expression of PPARg declines dramatically in response to the gonadotropin surge that triggers ovulation, and this transcription factor is expressed primarily in follicular cells.  Komar has also shown, as have other laboratories, that activation of PPARg can modify ovarian steroid production.  Recent work from her laboratory indicates that expression of PPARg in the ovary is stage specific and may play a role in the lifespan of ovarian cells.  Investigating the role of PPARg in the ovary has been difficult however, because knocking out the gene for PPARg results in embryonic death.  Therefore, to further studies of PPARg, Dr. Komar’s laboratory has generated mice with PPARg selectively deleted in the gonad to determine what genes are targeted by this transcription factor in the ovary.        

Another exciting area of research in Dr. Komar’s laboratory is the investigation of ovarian development using the bat, Glossophaga soricina, as a model to study structure / function relationships.  The reproductive biology of this bat is almost identical to that in humans.  For example, these bats experience true menstruation.  One major difference between G. soricina and other mammals is the polarized structure of their ovary.  The ovarian surface epithelium is restricted to the medial side of the ovary, and the most immature follicles - primordial follicles, are located in a discrete zone directly underneath this epithelial layer.  Follicles are selected for growth and development from the medullary side of the primordial follicle zone.  Ovulation always occurs in the region of the ovary covered by the ovarian surface epithelium.  Exploiting the unique structure of this bat’s ovary will allow us to address questions such as how primordial follicles are maintained in a quiescent state, what activates primordial follicles to grow, and how the ovarian surface epithelium influences folliculogenesis and ovulation.  Answers to these questions may elucidate mechanisms behind ovarian cancer since the majority of these tumors are believed to be derived from the ovarian surface epithelium.  In addition, this unique animal model will facilitate investigating ways to preserve fertility in endangered species, and women undergoing medical treatments that could render them infertile. 

For Further Information

Please contact Dr. Carolyn Komar by email at ckomar@wvsom.edu.

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Judy Maloney, Ph.D.  and                             
John Schriefer, Ph.D.

Project TitleFas/Fas ligand signaling in myocardial apoptosis and hypertrophy resulting from ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice.

Project Objectives

The long term goal of our studies is to further elucidate the role of FAS in the consequences of myocardial ischemia/ reperfusion injury (IR) and to evaluate the potential of using siRNA as a therapeutic modality to prevent acute and long-term myocardial damage following IR.

Funding Source

WVSOM intramural grant

Abstract

Periods of myocardial ischemia followed by reperfusion of the ischemic tissue have been associated with both acute and long-term myocardial damage. Stimulation of the receptor FAS by FAS ligand has been identified as one of the initial steps in the "death receptor signaling pathway" leading to apoptosis and hypertrophy. Much of the work on the role of FAS in myocardial apoptosis and hypertrophy has employed the lymphoproliferative disease (lpr) mouse model, a transgenic mouse which lacks FAS. Since the lpr mice lack FAS throughout growth and development, it may not be the best model for studying the role of FAS following acute onset ischemia/reperfusion (IR). Small interfering RNAs (siRNA) are a relatively new tool for preventing expression of proteins. Use of siRNA for FAS may have advantages over the lpr mouse model for determining the role of FAS in response to IR, since the subjects would have had normal FAS function during growth and development and FAS would only be inhibited at the time of IR. FAS siRNA may also represent a potential treatment modality.

The hypothesis to be tested in this study is: Regional ischemia followed by reperfusion causes increased FAS expression in the in vivo mouse heart in both the ischemic and normally perfused areas, leading to apoptosis in the ischemic area and activation of hypertrophic pathways in the normally perfused area, and that FAS siRNA can prevent FAS activation and the resulting apoptosis and hypertrophy.

For Further Information

Please contact Dr. Judy Maloney by email at jmaloney@wvsom.edu.

Rebecca Pratt, Ph.D.  

Project Title

Research Survey to Assess Histological Pedagogy

To examine the degrees to which physicians use histology and pathology in their practice, from general practice doctors to specialists.

To describe the needs and common practices of physicians active in rural and urban clinics in terms of biopsy preparation, equipment and final diagnosis.

To analyze responses in order to make appropriate decisions for the future direction of Histology and Pathology at WVSOM and national medical schools servicing rural areas.

To establish and teach effective histology and pathology courses which prepare medical students for success in rotations, residencies and practice.

The allocation of classroom hours to first year courses has many medical schools reassessing their current curricular models1. Consistent with the long-term trend of declining total laboratory teaching hours in U.S. medical schools there is an ongoing reduction in the number of hours of faculty-directed histology laboratory instruction2. The momentum to decrease time allotted for labs in medical school means that we need to be innovative in how we present the material so that rigor and content is not lost in the race against time.  This research will provide us with information so that we can make educated decisions on the direction our Histology and Pathology courses should take at WVSOM so that we continue to produce quality graduates and set the bar for innovative instruction.  It is important that changes implemented in Histology are not simply put into practice because that is what other universities are doing or because it is the latest trend in histopathology pedagogy. 

1.  Gartner L.  Anatomical Sciences in the Allopathic Medical School Curriculum in the United States Between 1967-2001.  Clinical Anatomy 16:434-439; 2003.
2.  Kumar et al.  Integrating Histology and Histopathology Teaching in Practical Classes Using Virtual Slides.  The Anat. Record (Part B New Anat.) 289B:128-133; 2006.

*Currently I am not doing any research involving oncology or biochemistry/cell biology due to my full teaching load this year.  I am collaborating with Dr. Jandy Hanna in the Gait Analysis Research Project and in Dissection Video Project.  I will be starting up a microanatomy project in conjunction with the Gross Anatomy Cadaver-as-Patient project in the future. 

For Further Information

Please contact Dr. Rebecca Pratt by email at rpratt@wvsom.edu.

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John Schriefer, Ph.D.
(With Judy Maloney,Ph.D.)       

Project Title

Fas/Fas ligand signaling in myocardial apoptosis and hypertrophy resulting from ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice.

Project Objectives

The long term goal of our studies is to further elucidate the role of FAS in the consequences of myocardial ischemia/ reperfusion injury (IR) and to evaluate the potential of using siRNA as a therapeutic modality to prevent acute and long-term myocardial damage following IR.

Funding Source

WVSOM intramural grant

Abstract

Periods of myocardial ischemia followed by reperfusion of the ischemic tissue have been associated with both acute and long-term myocardial damage. Stimulation of the receptor FAS by FAS ligand has been identified as one of the initial steps in the "death receptor signaling pathway" leading to apoptosis and hypertrophy. Much of the work on the role of FAS in myocardial apoptosis and hypertrophy has employed the lymphoproliferative disease (lpr) mouse model, a transgenic mouse which lacks FAS. Since the lpr mice lack FAS throughout growth and development, it may not be the best model for studying the role of FAS following acute onset ischemia/reperfusion (IR). Small interfering RNAs (siRNA) are a relatively new tool for preventing expression of proteins. Use of siRNA for FAS may have advantages over the lpr mouse model for determining the role of FAS in response to IR, since the subjects would have had normal FAS function during growth and development and FAS would only be inhibited at the time of IR. FAS siRNA may also represent a potential treatment modality.

The hypothesis to be tested in this study is: Regional ischemia followed by reperfusion causes increased FAS expression in the in vivo mouse heart in both the ischemic and normally perfused areas, leading to apoptosis in the ischemic area and activation of hypertrophic pathways in the normally perfused area, and that FAS siRNA can prevent FAS activation and the resulting apoptosis and hypertrophy.

For Further Information

Please contact Dr. John Schriefer by email at jschriefer@wvsom.edu.

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Karen Steele, D.O. and
Jane Carreiro, D.O.,
University of New
England College
of Osteopathic Medicine   

 Project Title

Effect of OMT on the duration of middle ear effusion in children following diagnosis of acute otitis media, as measured by tympanograms and acoustic reflectometry

Project Objective

Determine if a standardized osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMT) protocol will reduce the duration of middle ear effusion after onset of acute otitis media

 Funding Source and Amount

American Academy of Osteopathy, $100,000.  March 2007 to August 2008.

 Abstract

The investigators propose a randomized, multi-center, single blinded, clinical trial to determine if OMT has an effect on the rate of resolution of middle ear effusion in children between the ages of 6 months to two years old who have been diagnosed with acute otitis media. 

 Included subjects will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1) Standard of Care Plus OMT (Intervention group), 2) Standard of Care Only (Control group). A standardized OMT protocol will be used to treat the subjects in the intervention group.  The study participation period for each subject consists of four weeks, one visit per week. At every visit tympanogram and acoustic reflectometry measurements will be obtained.  In addition, the parents of each subject will take and record acoustic reflectometry scores daily for 30 days. An audiologist will read the tympanograms.

 Data analysis for the efficacy of OMT will consist of: comparing the two groups rate of change in the tympanogram readings and acoustic reflectometry scores over time; and for OMT group, evaluate if there is an immediate measurable difference between the pre and post treatment tympanogram readings and acoustic reflectometry scores.

For Further Information

Please contact Dr. Steele by email at ksteele@wvsom.edu 

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Jack Thatcher, Ph.D.       

Project Title

Efficacy of Computer Animations as Educational Tools..

Project Objectives

To determine if computer animations explaining molecular biology improve comprehension by osteopathic medical students. To evaluate student opinions regarding the animations. To determine how much study time students will voluntarily choose to devote the animations.

Funding Source

WVSOM intramural grant

Abstract

I have produced an extensive series of computer animations demonstrating molecular and cellular processes. To test the efficacy of these animations in the context of ongoing courses, an Instructional CD has been provided to students taking the Developmental Genetics and Biochemistry courses. A program on the CD will automatically keep track of how much time they spend with each subject. This will demonstrate if they will voluntarily devote study time to the animations. They will also take a pre-test and post test to quantify improvement. To determine if devoting time to the animations does contribute to understanding, a linear regression analysis will be performed. To evaluate student opinions regarding the animations they will be asked to fill out a questionnaire. Future projects will be devoted to determining the most effective strategies for formatting and presenting the animations.

For Further Information

Please contact Dr. Jack Thatcher by email at jthatcher@wvsom.edu.

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Peter Ward, Ph.D.    

Project Title

Learning Approaches Employed by First-Year Osteopathic Students, a qualitative and quantitative longitudinal investigation into academic success and long-term recall

Project Objectives

To characterize the study practices of incoming and experienced D.O. students and to understand how these practices change during the first year of medical education.

To compare each student's study practices against their academic success and long-term recall of anatomical information after one year.

To compare and contrast the study practices of each student from a qualitative assessment versus a quantitative tool, the ASSIST assessment to understand their overall knowledge processing style.

Abstract

The purpose of these studies is to assess entering students' pre-existing approaches to learning and track how these approaches change over the course of their first year at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. The incoming students' study approaches will be compared to those displayed by more experienced second-year osteopathic students. As students change their approaches to study in response to the challenges of their first year they may have difficulty in finding new and more efficient ways of mastering the material. By appreciating the dynamics of students' study approaches, we will be better able to intervene when students are struggling and are at risk of using low-yield and short-term study approaches in their desperation. The overall goal of the research will be to understand how student's approaches to study will promote long-term recall of pre-clinical information. Increased recall of this information will not only improve board examination performance but will assist the students in realizing their full potential as medical professionals. Students' grades in their first-year anatomy course and their performance one year later on an anatomy assessment will be used as measures of student achievement. Study styles will be developed using the phenomenographic methodology of qualitative analysis and student study methods will be examined for their depth or superficiality of impact. This study will use qualitative methods primarily, but it will be complemented by statistical appraisals of student performance and recall. A quantitative assessment tool, the ASSIST, will be appraised for its appropriateness in this type of study.

For Further Information

Please contact Dr. Peter Ward by email at pward@wvsom.edu.

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