Second-year Montana WWAMI student Brynne Miller has been recognized for her research in neonatal nutrition at the 2026 Western Medical Research Conference (WMRC), earning the Abbott Nutrition Abstract Award in Neonatology (Feeding & Nutrition). Miller’s classmate, Montana WWAMI student Cooper Mann, is the co-author of the abstract, and played a principal role in the project.
WMRC is part of the American Federation for Medical Research (AFMR–Western Region) and is affiliated with the Western American Federation for Medical Research (WAFMR) and the Western Society for Pediatric Research (WSPR). It’s one of the largest student-led research conferences in the region, bringing together medical, graduate and undergraduate trainees to present original research, engage with faculty mentors and connect with peers from across the West. The annual forum provides students with an opportunity to showcase scholarly work spanning clinical care, public health, basic science and medical education.
The award-winning abstract focused on neonatology, specifically feeding and nutrition, a critical area of study in caring for premature and medically fragile infants. Miller analyzed risk factors among premature babies with low birth weights and congenital heart disease to determine why some develop necrotizing enterocolitis, a dangerous intestinal disease. Optimal nutrition during the neonatal period plays a pivotal role in growth, neurodevelopment and long-term health outcomes, making research in this field especially impactful. Receiving this distinction highlights both the quality of the research and its relevance to advancing care for the youngest patients.
Barla Beaudoin, Hanna Nyquist, Nina Coppolillo, Madison Alessi, and Rebecca Boylan also presented their research at WMRC. For Montana WWAMI students, participation in this forum reflects the program’s strong emphasis on scholarly inquiry and mentorship. Through research, students not only deepen their understanding of medicine but also contribute to improving patient care in Montana and beyond.
