The UNC Department of Pediatrics recently hosted another successful Thomas F. Boat Evening of Scholarship, the department’s longstanding annual showcase for pediatric research. Held each spring, the event brings together residents, fellows, students, and faculty to share discoveries across basic science, clinical care, quality improvement, and education. First launched in 1985, the Evening of Scholarship remains a cornerstone of the department’s academic mission, highlighting innovation that advances child health.
This year’s event, held May 11, 2026, in Roper Hall, reflected that breadth, with presentations spanning laboratory research, global health, genetic discovery, and patient-centered care. The evening featured a keynote address by Bob Vinci, MD, Professor of Pediatrics at the Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine and Secretary-Treasurer for the American Board of Pediatrics. The program concluded with recognition of outstanding projects and the mentors who support this work, reinforcing UNC Pediatrics’ commitment to developing the next generation of clinician-scientists and educators.
This year’s award recipients include:
Jud Van Wyck Award for Best Basic Science Research
Utilization of Postmortem Pediatric Brain Tumor Tissue for Functional Testing Ex Vivo
Emma Livne, MD | Fellow, Hematology-Oncology
Mentors: David Kram, MD, MCR; Andrew Satterlee, PhD
Harvey Hamrick Award for Best Case Report
Expanding the Molecular and Clinical Landscape of MEHMO Syndrome: A Newly Identified EIF2S3 Missense Variant Associated with Severe Brain Involvement
Shivani Shah, MD | Resident, Pediatrics
Mentors: Clara Hildebrandt, MD; Arti Pandya, MD, MBA
Walter Tunnessen Award for Best Clinical Science Research
Real-Time Data Collection Versus Video Recording for Newborn Resuscitation in a Low-Resource Setting
Megan Ralfe | MD Candidate
Mentor: Jackie Patterson, MD, MPH
Jerry Fernald Award for Best Quality Improvement Research
Improving Screening for Nontuberculous Mycobacterium in People with Cystic Fibrosis
Maheen Rehman, MBBS | Fellow, Pulmonology
Mentor: William Stoudemire, MD
Best Education or Advocacy Abstract
Clinic Ready: A Pediatric Medical Student Chief-Led Video Initiative for the Well Child Clinic
Margaret Anne Smith, MD
Mentors: Hannah Coletti, MPH; Sarah Duffus, MD; William Mills, MD, MPH
Alan Stiles Award for Best Resident Research
Empowered Beginnings: A Puberty Needs Assessment and Education Initiative
Divya Sirdeshpande, MD
Mentor: Priyanka Rao, MD
Best Student Award
EWS:FLI1 and PAX7 Interact to Create an Autoregulatory Network that Modulates Microsatellite Enhancers and Maintains Ewing Sarcoma Proliferation
Caroline Fraser | PhD Candidate
Mentor: Ian Davis, MD, PhD
Johnny Carson Award for Best Overall Research
Paid Family Leave and Infant Wellbeing: A Multidimensional Analysis of State Policy Effects
Rachel Levy, MD | Fellow, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
Mentor: Katie Paul, MD
Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients and presenters for their meaningful contributions to pediatric research, education, and clinical care. This work reflects the depth of expertise and collaboration that define UNC Pediatrics and UNC Children’s and reinforces a shared commitment to improving outcomes for children and families across North Carolina and beyond.
