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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – More than 120 research projects and a keynote presentation by an international expert on vitamin D are highlights of the 25th annual Research Day at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University.

The two-day research event begins at 5 p.m. Monday, March 18, with a free community seminar on vitamin D, co-sponsored by Cabell Huntington Hospital (CHH). Dr. John Cannell, founder and executive director of the Vitamin D Council, will serve as special guest speaker for both the community event and Marshall’s academic events.

Cannell’s  presentation, “The Case for Vitamin D-Why vitamin D Deficiency is Pandemic, Why We Need Vitamin D, and Why Current Recommendations Fall Short,” is in the Harless Auditorium, Marshall University Medical Center on the campus of Cabell Huntington Hospital.  It is free and the public is invited to attend with reservations accepted at 304-526-2695.

“Vitamin D is essential for more than just bone health and recent studies indicate that three-quarters of us are deficient in the ‘sunshine vitamin,’” said Dr. Franklin D. Shuler, associate professor of orthopaedeics and vice chair of the research for the department.  “We are pleased that a world expert on vitamin D will be present to highlight that vitamin D is essential for health and prevention of many diseases.  If you have or know of someone with cancer, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, asthma, chronic pain, or the winter blues, this event is for you.”

Cannell is also scheduled to speak to medical students on Tuesday.

Research Day showcases research conducted by medical students, graduate students, residents and postdoctoral fellows.   This year’s entries include projects that focus on diabetes, lung and breast cancer, ophthalmology and orthopaedics, as well as dozens of other areas.

“This is the 25th anniversary of Research Day at JCESOM and we received a record number of submissions from our medical and graduate students as well as medical residents and postdoctoral fellows,” said Richard M. Niles, Ph.D., senior associate dean for Biomedical Sciences at the School of Medicine.  “I believe this is a direct result of the increased emphasis placed on research by Dean Shapiro.  The results of several clinical trials will be presented, demonstrating that JCESOM, in additional to training medical students and providing excellent medical care, is also creating new knowledge for advancing the practice of medicine.”

For more information about Research Day contact the Office of Continuing Medical Education at 304-691-1770.

Date Posted: Wednesday, March 20, 2013