Skip to main content

Military Health System

NAMRU-SA partakes in virtual San Antonio postdoctoral research forum

Image of Military officer sitting at her desk and smiling. Military officer sitting at her desk and smiling

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation

Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio (NAMRU-SA) at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston was one of five academic or scientific research institutions in San Antonio to provide presenters, judges, organizers and attendees for the annual San Antonio Postdoctoral Research Forum (SAPRF) in last month. However, due to COVID-19, it was the first time the program went virtual in its eight-year history.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio hosted the research and networking symposium, showcasing postdoctoral research fellows from institutions across San Antonio.

For NAMRU-SA it was an opportunity to highlight the unit’s battlefield health and trauma care initiatives.

“SAPRF is an excellent opportunity to share information among professionals, in turn broadening perspectives throughout a network of scientists from very diverse institutions,” said Navy Cmdr. Linda Smith, a Navy Medical Corps doctor and NAMRU-SA’s executive officer. Smith explained that NAMRU-SA’s staff raised involvement by contributing research material so that the nonmilitary, scientific research community knows of NAMRU-SA’s initiatives.

Two men, wearing masks, holding onto a glass award
Dr. Yoon Hwang, a scientist with Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio receives the DOD’s Dr. Delores Etter Award for Scientist of the Year in 2020 from Navy Capt. Andrew Vaughn, NAMRU-SA’s commanding officer, Dec. 18, 2020, in the Battlefield Health and Trauma Building at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Hwang participated in the San Antonio Postdoctoral Research Forum in December and described military career opportunities to postdoctoral research fellows in attendance. (Photo by Randy Martin.)

Dozens of NAMRU-SA’s scientists, engineers, and support staff adapted for the new format.

Smith stated that during the convention three scientists presented posters on topics including: the application of phage display to develop a molecular probe for snake venom identification, improving envenomation outcomes by inhibiting systemic distribution factors, and physical, chemical, and biological comparison of clinically available products for their use in alveolar ridge preservation.

For all participants, this year’s SAPRF was unique.

In the computer-generated format, attendees transited the virtual convention space as an avatar. Each could pause and view any of the more than 85 posters, the tools that scientists routinely use to present, describe, and promote their work. A hundred preselected judges provided feedback and projects were ranked within contributing institutions to give an element of competition. According to Smith, the number of entries broke previous participation records.

Among the judges were several of NAMRU-SA’s senior scientists.

“We were able to review the posters ahead of time to familiarize ourselves with the material and prepare to pose questions to presenters via a chat program,” said Dr. Ashley Dacy, a biomedical engineer in NAMRU-SA’s Biomedical Systems Engineering and Evaluation Department. “The additional time meant I could offer even more meaningful feedback than in a live presentation.”

Other NAMRU-SA staff members served as panelists for question and answer sessions focused on topics affecting careers in science.

“SAPRF was a good opportunity to let the science community in San Antonio know the excellent scientific research that goes on in NAMRU-SA, said Dr. Yoon Hwang, a Department of Defense scientist of the year award winner and member of NAMRU-SA’s Maxillofacial Injury and Disease Department.

“It’s also good for the potential collaboration with universities or biotech companies and recruiting highly qualified postdoctoral fellows and research scientists,” Hwang said.

The format for 2021’s SAPRF isn’t set but NAMRU-SA is already planning to expand its role.

NAMRU-SA's mission is to conduct gap driven combat casualty care, craniofacial, and directed energy research to improve survival, operational readiness, and safety of Department of Defense personnel engaged in routine and expeditionary operations. For more information about NMRU-SA visit their webpage.

You also may be interested in...

USAMRIID Focuses on Genome Sequencing to Detect Variants

Article
1/5/2023
Military medical personnel in laboratory

A connected family of laboratories across the MHS allows a more rapid response to the outbreak.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Coronavirus

Uniformed Services University Professor Develops Self-Diagnosis, Treatment Kit for Common Female Infections

Article Around MHS
1/4/2023
USU infographic with Dr. Elizabeth Kostas-Polston

It's a major research advancement in women's health and females serving in the U.S. military may soon have access to it. See how a new, self-diagnosis and self-treatment kit can help deployed women overseas or in austere environments.

Recommended Content:

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences | Research & Innovation | Women's Health

Whole Genome Sequencing at Tripler Army Medical Center

Article
12/29/2022
Dr. Keith Fong reviews data with other lab technicians

The third installment in a 6-part series highlighting the efforts of the Military Health System laboratories and the technicians who worked to identify COVID-19 variants using special sequencing technology.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Research & Innovation | Coronavirus

Air Force Research Laboratory Launches Wearable Biomolecular Sensors Program

Article Around MHS
12/29/2022
Military personnel demonstrating a wearable human performance monitoring device

It's like an aircraft's "black box" - that Soldiers wear. Learn about the research collaboration that will literally "arm" warfighters with a sensor to track their well-being during critical missions, predicting performance and health issues before they occur.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Health Care Technology

Tele-Critical Care Brings New Capability to Womack Army Medical Center

Article Around MHS
12/27/2022
Military medical personnel demonstrating new tele-critical care medicine

This groundbreaking new tool gives critically ill patients access to 24/7 monitoring by deploying medical experts who can get them help immediately. See how it works, and why military medical experts are calling it the fail-safe mechanism that cannot be underestimated.

Recommended Content:

Telehealth Program | Health Care Technology | Research & Innovation

Defense Threat Reduction Agency Celebrates Opening of New Training Center

Article Around MHS
12/27/2022
Defense Threat Reduction Agency members

It's been eight years in the making! Now, learn more about this ceremonial culmination of a large, global collaboration toward preventing future disease outbreaks and biological threats.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Building Partner Capacity and Interoperability | Biological Threat Reduction Program | Ebola

U.S. Army Medical Team Helps Smithsonian National Zoo to Protect Endangered Red Pandas

Article Around MHS
12/23/2022
Red panda at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

A U.S. Army medical team contributed to an investigation into the cause of death of a red panda at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. The findings will ultimately help to protect the endangered species.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Implements SARS-CoV-2 Genome Sequencing

Article
12/23/2022
Military medical personnel in laboratory

This is the second article in a 6-part series that highlights the work of technicians and scientists in Military Health System laboratories who worked to identify COVID-19 variants using special sequencing technology.

Recommended Content:

Global Health Engagement | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Research & Innovation

Military Labs Use Whole Genome Sequencing of COVID-19 Variants

Article
12/16/2022
Lab technician at work

The first in a 6-part series highlighting the work of technicians and scientists working in support of the MHS who identified COVID-19 variants using special sequencing technology.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Coronavirus

New Simulation Lab Comes to 22nd Medical Group

Article Around MHS
12/14/2022
Military medical personnel training on CAE apollo mannequin

The 22nd Medical Group unveiled a new simulation lab to provide airmen with hands-on training for future emergency situations on Nov. 30. At the source of the lab is a high-fidelity mannequin with a wide range of life-like features such as breathing, circulation, bleeding, fluid secretions, and speech to deliver realistic simulation-based emergency health care.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness Support Division | Research & Innovation

Blast Overpressure Research Brings NATO Group to DHHQ

Article
12/13/2022
Military personnel fire mortar rounds

DOD and NATO experts recently met to continue their work on warfighter brain health to protect soldiers from the overblast pressure of their weaponry.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Brain Injury Awareness | Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence

Physicians Perform First Surgery with New Robotics System

Article Around MHS
11/18/2022
Military medical personnel performs surgical procedure

Physicians with the 96th Medical Group completed the first robotic-assisted surgery at Eglin Air Force Base on Nov. 2 Using the unit’s new DaVinci Robotics System, the team performed a successful hernia repair operation.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation

Collaboration Ensures Focus on Sustainment for New Army Medical Devices

Article Around MHS
11/4/2022
Military medical personnel testing vet x-ray device

Collaboration between U.S. Army medical materiel developers and sustainers means that new devices fielded to the warfighter not only provide the required capabilities, but also longevity and durability in the field, as well as value to the American taxpayer.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Health Care Technology Management/Medical Devices

History of Navy Medicine's Research and Development Global Enterprise

Article Around MHS
11/2/2022
Historic image of the Naval Medical Research Institute

Before there was the Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) there was the Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI).

Recommended Content:

Our History | Research & Innovation

Exoskeleton to Enhance Safety, Retention for Aerial Porters, Others

Article Around MHS
10/26/2022
Military personnel pushes exoskeleton robotic fitness machine

The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Center for Rapid Innovation, or CRI, held an event Oct. 6 with the U.S. Air Force Reserve Commander’s 445th Airlift Wing for a robotics team to demonstrate the latest Forge System, a pneumatically powered exoskeleton that augments leg strength to reduce fatigue, increase endurance, and offset weight.

Recommended Content:

Physical Fitness | Research & Innovation
<< < 1 2 3 4 5  ... > >> 
Showing results 1 - 15 Page 1 of 9
Refine your search
Last Updated: December 27, 2022
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery