Research Seminars
Research seminars and conferences are integral to research engagement as they facilitate the exchange of knowledge, encourage collaboration, provide a platform for feedback, stimulate curiosity, contribute to professional development, keep researchers updated and help build a robust research culture within academic and professional communities.
2019
- Michael Knowles, M.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
“Complex Genetics of Two Rare Mendelian Disorders: Cystic Fibrosis and Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia” - Suthat Liangpunsakul, M.D., MPH, Indiana University School of Medicine, and Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center
“Alcohol Associated Liver Disease – New Insight from Basic to Therapeutics” - Arlene Sharpe, M.D., PhD, Harvard Medical School
“The Biology of PD-1 Checkpoint Blockade”
2022
- Robert Tarran, Ph.D., Lineberger Cancer Center and Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina
“Novel Strategies to Reduce Inflammation and Bacteria in the CF Lung”
2023
- Demetrios Braddock, M.D., PhD., Yale University School of Medicine
“Translating Enzyme Biologics for Mineralization and Autoimmune Disorders Bench to Bedside into the Clinic: An Academic Perspective” - Marc E. Lippman, M.D., MACP, FRCP, Georgetown University Medical Center
“The Role of the Woman in the Occurrence and Progression of Breast Cancer” - Jessica Reynolds, Ph.D., Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Science, University at Buffalo, SUNY
“Targeting Macrophages using Nanomedicine – Implications for Infectious Disease” - Assem Ziady, Ph.D., Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and University of Cincinnati
“Addressing Current Problems in CF”
Internal Medicine Monthly Research Conference
Since 2012, the Department of Internal Medicine has conducted a monthly research conference over the lunch hour to highlight new research or “grant in development” projects from our faculty.
The audience for these talks is department faculty and trainees with a broad research interest, covering clinical, basic and population health topics.
These monthly seminars allow for faculty to share their research, gain feedback, and further build relationships and potential collaborations with other individuals within the department.
2025 Series Speakers
9/15/2025
Joanna Brooks, M.A., MBE, Ph.D.
Program Director of the Master of Health Services Administration program in the Department of Population Health at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
A medical sociologist and health services researcher, she specializes in qualitative methods, palliative care, and health care workforce and delivery. She earned her PhD in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania and completed a postdoctoral fellowship as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Scholar in Health Policy Research at Harvard University. Dr. Brooks applies her training in social science and interdisciplinary research to address complex challenges in health care.
10/27/2025
Ajay Bansal, M.D.
Professor, Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Motility
Dr. Bansal completed his Internal Medicine residency and served as Chief Resident at New York Medical College before pursuing a Gastroenterology Fellowship at the University Hospital at Stony Brook, Long Island, New York. He is currently the Medical Director of the Gastroenterology Cancers Prevention Clinic and a Professor of Medicine in the Department of Gastroenterology at the University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, KS. His research focuses on cancer prevention and esophageal diseases, with endoscopic expertise in advanced imaging for polyp and cancer detection, endoscopic mucosal resection, and deep enteroscopy, as well as specialized esophageal function testing including BRAVO pH testing, high-resolution manometry, and the EndoFLIP impedance planimetry system.
11/17/2025
Carol J. Fabian, MD.
Director, Breast Cancer Prevention and Survivorship Research Center, Medical Oncology.
Dr. Carol Fabian is a breast medical oncologist and a University Distinguished Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She received her medical degree from the University of Kansas in 1972, and fellowship in Medical Oncology at the University of Kansas in 1977. She is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. She has been on the faculty in the Division of Medical Oncology since 1977 and has served in multiple capacities including Medical Director of the Cancer Center, Founder and Director of the Breast Cancer Prevention and Survivorship Research Center, Leader or co-Leader of the Cancer Prevention Program, and Associate Director of Clinical Research in the NCI Designated Cancer Center.
12/15/2025
Lauren Ptomey, PhD, RD, LD.
Associate Professor, Physical Activity & Weight Management.
Director of the Brain Health in Down Syndrome Program, Dr. Ptomey is an Associate Professor for the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She is a Registered Dietitian with over a decade of experience working within the research field with expertise in weight management, physical activity, aging, and individuals with intellectual disabilities. She thematically leads disability-based research at KUMC through serving as Director of the Brain Health in Down Syndrome program at the KU Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Associate Director of the Kansas Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, and the Scientific Director of Clinical Research at the Center for Children's Healthy Lifestyle and Nutrition.
Grand Rounds
Grand Rounds take place monthly on Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. and include all division faculty, fellows, residents and medical students.
Please use the link below for specific dates and locations.
A virtual option is also available.