Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine

09/09/2026

Meet the Future Doctors: Caleb Thurber 🩺

Incoming Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine student Caleb Thurber has always been guided by a simple question: Why?

From wondering why his brother needed a vaccine when Caleb had chickenpox to watching his grandmother navigate Parkinson’s disease and seeing his mother regain her health after treatment for pernicious anemia, Caleb’s curiosity about medicine has been shaped by the people closest to him.

Caleb joins Marshall with a 4.0 GPA from Messiah University and an impressive background in scientific research and academic achievement. He earned the university’s Outstanding Performance in Biochemistry Award, conducted independent biochemistry research and completed a year-long Department Honors research project examining hydroponic and aquaponic growing systems, which he later presented at the Pennsylvania Academy of Science Symposium.

As a biochemistry tutor, Caleb discovered a passion for helping others move beyond memorization to understand the "why" behind complex concepts, a skill he hopes to carry into conversations with future patients. His commitment to learning, resilience and teamwork also earned high praise from the commander of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Medical Center, who described Caleb as a candidate of the "highest caliber."

His clinical experiences further reinforced the kind of physician he hopes to become. While shadowing physicians at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Hospital, Caleb saw how technical expertise and compassion work together, including an encounter with a frightened child that reminded him of his own childhood experience with chickenpox.

As the son of an Air Force officer, Caleb attended six schools and lived in communities ranging from rural New York to Las Vegas. Those experiences taught him how to adapt, build relationships and embrace new opportunities. His experiences in basketball, theater, community service and a service trip to rural Peru further shaped his perspective on teamwork and meeting people where they are.

Caleb was drawn to Marshall’s commitment to collaboration, lifelong learning and rural and Appalachian health. As he begins his medical education, he hopes to continue asking "why?" and use that curiosity to better understand medicine and the patients he serves.

We’re proud to welcome Caleb to the Marshall family and look forward to seeing where his curiosity, compassion and commitment to learning take him. 💚

09/07/2026

Summer Research Spotlight: Braden Ross ☀️🔬

As part of our summer research spotlight series, we're highlighting the work Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine students pursued this summer.

Second-year medical student Braden Ross explored how mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular senescence may contribute to the age-related risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. His research examined insulin-secreting rat cells by altering a mitochondrial protein and exposing the cells to conditions that mimic obesity.

For Braden, one of the most rewarding moments came on his final day in the lab, when he looked back through his lab notebook and realized how much he had learned and how many skills he had developed in just a few weeks.

Working with his mentor, Dr. Vaibhav Sidarala, also taught Braden the importance of giving yourself grace, learning from mistakes and understanding that research is a process of continuous learning.

The experience has shaped how Braden hopes to approach patient care by considering the many factors that can influence an outcome while keeping sight of the bigger clinical picture.

His advice to fellow medical students interested in research is to be curious, ask questions and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Find a project that interests you, reach out to researchers and always take the time to understand why something is being done.

Research today can lead to better patient care tomorrow. 💚

Do you have a summer research project you'd like to share? Email [email protected] for a chance to be featured!

09/06/2026

Researchers at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine have identified a cellular signaling pathway in fat cells that may play an important role in the development of , offering a potential new target for treating the disease.

The study, published in ATVB, found that blocking signaling specifically in , or fat cells, reduced the formation of atherosclerotic plaque and decreased inflammation in blood vessels. The findings provide new insight into how dysfunction in fat tissue can contribute to vascular disease.

🗞️ Read more: bit.ly/4dmUKBZ

09/06/2026

Meet the Future Doctors: Jumana Eissa 🩺

Incoming Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine student Jumana Eissa has built her path to medicine around one central goal: understanding suffering and helping people heal.

Jumana’s journey has spanned cultures, languages, science and the humanities. Born in California, she moved to Saudi Arabia at age six and learned Arabic while discovering poetry as a way to express emotions that were difficult to put into words. That experience shaped how she views medicine and the importance of understanding what patients are trying to communicate.

At the University of California, Berkeley, Jumana excelled academically while pursuing interests that bridge science and the humanities. She earned an A+ in a rigorous biochemistry and molecular biology course with more than 450 students, finishing among the top 5% of the class.

Her clinical experiences have reinforced her belief in individualized care. As a Registered Behavior Technician, Jumana worked with children with developmental and behavioral needs and learned the importance of patience, consistency and meeting each patient where they are.

Jumana has also contributed to research examining the physical and mental health of war survivors and secondary trauma among humanitarian workers. Through this work, she has helped design research tools and translate surveys and consent materials into Arabic, helping make research more accessible to Arabic-speaking participants.

And then there is poetry. Jumana is authoring an Arabic-language scholarly analysis of poetry, bringing together two interests that may seem worlds apart but are connected by the same goal: to understand and heal.

Her commitment to service extends beyond research and academics. She has tutored students, volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, supported humanitarian relief efforts and helped provide food and support to people experiencing homelessness.

Jumana hopes to pursue OB/GYN and women’s health, particularly among underserved populations. She was drawn to Marshall’s commitment to rural and underserved communities and hopes to put down roots in West Virginia while serving patients across Appalachia.

We’re delighted to welcome Jumana to the Marshall family and look forward to the compassion, curiosity and unique perspective she will bring to the Class of 2030! 💚

09/05/2026

Summer Research Spotlight: Nathanial Branscome ☀️🔬

As part of our summer research spotlight series, we're highlighting the work Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine students pursued this summer.

Second-year medical student Nathanial Branscome developed a novel immunohistochemistry staining protocol to examine proteins involved in the mTORC2 signaling pathway in clear cell renal cell carcinoma patient tumor tissue.

His research explored whether markers such as Rictor, mTOR and NDRG1 could be reliably detected in real patient samples, which could potentially contribute to more personalized approaches to cancer treatment.

For Nathanial, one of the most rewarding moments came when he saw successful staining under the microscope for the first time.

After working through multiple rounds of the protocol, seeing clear positivity in the tumor tissue showed that the research question could be explored in real patient samples.

Working with Dr. Salisbury and his lab also helped Nathanial grow as a researcher and reinforced the importance of teamwork, mentorship and continuous learning. The experience has shaped his future goals as a physician. Nathanial hopes to not only provide excellent clinical care but also contribute to research that could one day influence how patients are treated. His research taught him that just as every tissue sample is different, every patient’s situation is different, too.

His advice to fellow medical students interested in research? Be patient, stay humble, learn from mistakes and don't be afraid to take the leap. 💚

Do you have a summer research project you'd like to share? Email [email protected] for a chance to be featured!

09/05/2026

09/04/2026

This summer, second-year medical student Carina Raya stepped outside the classroom and into rural West Virginia through the Rural Appalachian Medical Preceptorship, gaining a new perspective on the people, places and experiences that shape health in Appalachia.

Originally from Maine, Carina entered RAMP with her own understanding of rural health. Her experience visiting Community Care locations and working at a clinic in Clay County gave her a deeper look at how history, occupation, community identity, access to resources and other factors can influence health outcomes in rural Appalachia.

She also saw firsthand how meaningful relationships can shape patient care. From taking extra time to help patients to simply sharing a conversation, Carina watched physicians and staff build connections that went beyond the exam room.

For Carina, who plans to pursue Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, RAMP also opened the door to a new possibility. Conversations with family medicine physicians showed her the potential for psychiatrists to work alongside primary care teams in collaborative care settings, something she now hopes to explore in her future career.

“The people we treat are what make it worthwhile and interesting. Seeing those people, connecting everything you’re learning back to them, that is valuable.”

Through RAMP, students have the opportunity to connect what they learn in medical school with the people they will one day serve, while gaining a deeper understanding of rural medicine and the kind of physician they hope to become. Way to go, Carina! 👏 💚

09/04/2026

A sweet way to celebrate Wellness Week! 🍦

Our medical students took a break from the books to enjoy an afternoon of ice cream, connection and fun. 💚

Hosted by the Office of Student Affairs and the Wellness Committee, the ice cream social gave students a chance to recharge, catch up with classmates and enjoy a well-deserved treat together.

Thank you to Linda Holmes and Alumni Affairs for sponsoring a fun afternoon and helping us celebrate the importance of making time for wellness throughout the medical school journey.