OU Health Campus Graduate College

Swipe to see some stellar students! ⏩🌟

Congratulations to the students, faculty, and staff across the University of Oklahoma Health Academic Programs in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa who were honored recently at the annual Student Awards Ceremony.

Take the 2026 Student Satisfaction Survey! We need 61 more responses to ensure graduate students are represented. 🌟

The Student Satisfaction Survey is a campus climate and student wellness survey administered to all students at the University of Oklahoma Health Campus, OU-Tulsa Campus, and additional sites. The survey data are used to provide Student Government Association, staff, faculty, and administrators with unique insights into the student experience at the University of Oklahoma Health & OU-Tulsa. Tell us about your experience and help create a better campus for all students!

The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and will be available until May 1, 2026. Your response data is anonymized, and we do not collect IP addresses in this survey. Upon completion of the Student Satisfaction Survey, you will be forwarded to a separate survey to enter prize drawings.

Your participation makes you eligible to win Apple AirPods, Apple AirTags, limited edition sweatshirts, and more prizes. The earlier you complete the survey, the more chances you have of winning!

Visit the link below to take the survey!
🔗: https://link.ou.edu/4mVt4rE

Here's a little recap of our GREAT Symposium and Awards to finish out your week! 🔬

One of the parts of this week included the Research Vendor Show & Networking Fair, which brings together students, postdocs and faculty to connect with vendors and explore resources supporting biomedical and health science research across campus. Additionally, the GREAT Symposium concludes with an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding poster, oral and Flash Talk presentations by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, followed by a closing reception where attendees can celebrate the winners, connect with colleagues and wrap up the event over refreshments. 🏆

2026 GREAT Symposium Day Two ✌️

Attendees of Day 2 of the GREAT Symposium got to listen to Faculty Flask Talks, where faculty members across campus competed for the coveted GOAT Award, voted on by the audience.

2026 GREAT Symposium Day One ☝️

Attendees at the GREAT Symposium heard an inspiring keynote from Oliver Bogler, CEO of the Night Science Institute, titled “Night Science: Creativity & Joy of Discovery.”

Dr. Bogler explored the creative, intuitive side of research and how curiosity, imagination and intellectual risk-taking play a vital role in scientific breakthroughs. His message resonated with graduate students, postdocs, faculty and staff, encouraging the campus research community to embrace both the rigor and creativity that drive meaningful discovery.

We also hosted poster presentations from students at Oklahoma School of Science and Math.

Congrats to graduate student Jennifer Ihuoma, who has been awarded a prestigious predoctoral fellowship from the American Heart Association (AHA)! 🧠

This fellowship will support her research on the biological mechanisms that contribute to brain aging and cognitive decline. Read more at the link below!

🔗: link.ou.edu/4bZ20T8

Congratulations to Sarah Otu-Boakye, a graduate student at the University of Oklahoma Health Campus, for being awarded the American Heart Association (AHA) Predoctoral Fellowship! 🌟

Sarah shared some information about her research. "My research focuses on understanding the role of dysregulated lipid metabolism in brain endothelial cells in age-related vascular cognitive impairment. This funded project investigates how lipid accumulation drives metabolic reprogramming and cellular senescence in endothelial cells. I will examine how these endothelial-intrinsic changes contribute to microvascular dysfunction and cognitive decline with aging. My goal is to uncover new mechanistic insights and identify therapeutic targets to preserve brain health and mitigate age-associated cognitive decline. Beyond essential funding, this fellowship provides critical training in vascular biology and mentorship from leading experts, supporting my development as an emerging cerebrovascular scientist."

Congratulations to Kiran George, Ph.D., a Graduate College postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Cell Biology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences. Dr. George has been awarded a highly competitive postdoctoral fellowship supported by the American Heart Association (AHA) and Autism Speaks. The fellowship will support his research exploring how the brain and heart communicate during periods of stress, particularly in the context of autism.

Read more at the news release at the link below!
🔗: https://link.ou.edu/fellowship-for-autism-research

🚨 LAST CHANCE🚨

Today is the last day to submit your abstract for the 2026 Graduate Research Education and Technology (GREAT) Symposium!

This event is a forum for trainees to present their research and strengthen their communication skills. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows compete for travel grants and cash awards! 💵

🔗: bit.ly/4k4dQzd

One week left to submit your abstract for the 2026 Graduate Research Education and Technology (GREAT) Symposium!

This event is a forum for trainees to present their research and strengthen their communication skills. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows compete for travel grants and cash awards!

🚨 Abstracts may be submitted until February 13 🚨

🔗: bit.ly/4k4dQzd