Ten Alaska WWAMI students took the national stage Jan. 15–17, 2026 at the Western Medical Research Conference (WMRC) in Carmel, California, sharing their research with peers and faculty from across the Western United States.
WMRC is an annual conference that brings together medical students, residents, and faculty to present scholarly work, exchange ideas, and build connections across institutions.
At this year’s conference, 98 second- and third-year University of Washington School of Medicine students were selected to present oral or poster abstracts — including a strong contingent from Alaska WWAMI.
Representing Alaska were Seiji Takagi, Michaela Edwards, Elle Lo Re, Kyle Stone, Jack Ketelson, Adam Prewitt, Kiara Simpson, Mariah Johnson, Heather Pollard, and Abigail Crawford.
Takagi delivered a Global presentation highlighting his project in Kenya, while his classmates presented research spanning a range of clinical and community health topics.
Participation in WSMRF reflects the depth and diversity of scholarly work underway across the WWAMI region. For Alaska WWAMI students, the conference offered an opportunity not only to showcase their research, but also to engage in meaningful dialogue with colleagues from across the West Coast and bring new insights back to the communities they serve.
We’re proud of our students who did a fantastic job with their presentations!
