Between November 7th and 10th, Andren Chen (Biology, 26’), Fredy Abboud (Biology, 25’), Enoch Liu (Mathematics, 28’) and Amanda McMillen (Chemistry, 28’) had the honor of presenting two posters, the culmination of months-long worth of research at the ICB’s Health Promoters, at the 2025 American Heart Association’s National Convention (Scientific Sessions) in New Orleans, Louisiana. Benefitting at academic, professional, and personal levels, all four ICB Fellows experienced what very few undergraduates have the privilege of getting exposed to. With that in mind, all four ICB Fellows briefly shared their experiences, underlining the enduring impact this opportunity has had on their careers.
Andren Chen (Biology, 26’)
Going to the American Heart Association Conference was quite an experience. This was my first time attending a national medical conference and what I had in mind was not what I had expected. It was clear from the start that this program was not simply a series of lectures; instead, it offered a clear understanding of the current state of cardiovascular medicine and the direction in which the field is heading. One of the most memorable moments of the conference was arriving on the second day and seeing all the poster presentations laid out alongside the pharmaceutical companies’ large banners. It made me realize that the work I do at the Institute is just one small piece of a much larger, unfolding puzzle. Seeing different professionals talk about their work and research gave me a sense of admiration, as they show a true sense of passion in their field of medicine, and that is something I strive for in my future career. Overall, I am super grateful that I was given the opportunity to experience something like this, as it gave me another reason why I want to pursue medicine.
Enoch Liu (Mathematics, 28’)
My time at the AHA Conference was one full of learning and awe-inspiring attendance. The conference was a place for all aspects of the healthcare field to come together and share knowledge and ideas for the betterment of cardiovascular care. We spent countless hours over the weekend exploring everything that the conference had to offer, and I could say without a doubt we only touched on a fraction of what was there. We met undergraduate students like ourselves, along with medical students, physicians, and industry leaders in pharmacy, therapeutics, and related fields. On the second day, we were delighted to have a physician pitch his own invention, a tool to cut off circulation to the limbs to increase the odds of survival for patients suffering cardiac arrest. His presentation not only sold me (I’m sure his device will save countless lives) but also it was a representation of the passion, effort, and intellectual prowess each and every attendee brought to the conference. On top of that, I was able to attend an abstract presentation on the relationship between melatonin usage and heart failure, a topic that was widely discussed prior to the conference. I was already intrigued by the study, and even more so when I realized I could attend the presentation in person!
Our abstracts and subsequent presentations were a demonstration of something an undergraduate student like myself could hardly have dreamed of, even just a year ago. These abstracts presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) conference were a culmination of the hard work of every individual involved in the ICB. I was already intrigued by the study, and my interest deepened when I realized I could attend the presentation in person. It has been a genuinely rewarding and uniquely meaningful experience to observe the pipeline of work that made this achievement possible.It has been a genuinely rewarding and uniquely meaningful experience to observe the pipeline of work that made this achievement possible. Being intimately involved in the collection, transformation, interpretation, and presentation of the data was a mind-blowing experience. Beyond bringing our work to the forefront of healthcare at the AHA Conference, sharing this topic and the distinctive experiences of the ICB in the greater Philadelphia area helped draw attention to the unique challenges we face. This helps us find others who are able to contribute, and it also further our central mission of bioethics and providing individualized care to those who need it.
Amanda McMillen (Chemistry, 28’)
I recently attended the American Heart Association conference, where I had the incredible opportunity to present two abstracts—an achievement I’m genuinely proud of. The entire trip felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience that affirmed the value of the work I’ve been doing. Beyond the presentations themselves, I learned meaningful lessons about building connections, engaging with others, and seeing myself as part of a larger scientific community. Most importantly, the experience taught me to trust my abilities and move forward with greater confidence in my work. Most notably, however, was the sheer amount of life long learners that got together for a weekend of shared experiences and knowledge, something that was amazing to be a part of. While I did meet many very successful people, far more advanced than I, I never felt out of place, as we – all the attendees- are just students at heart, wanting to know more about the beautiful study of medicine by sharing with each other.
Fredy Abboud (Biology, 25’)
Fortunate to partake in the ICB’s initiative to better inform public health policy in Philadelphia, I couldn’t have been more privileged to attend this year’s American Heart Association’s Convention in New Orleans.
Without a doubt, the research process was taxing, requiring considerable efforts across the span of months. However, the harvest couldn’t have been riper. Here I am, an undergraduate, being offered an opportunity to present before physicians at a national medical conference. The joy was well justified, as a months-long project was paying its dividends and its culmination (poster presentations) will soon surpass my expectations. In short, the entire team’s time and effort were very much worth it.
Being in New Orleans for the first time, I genuinely enjoyed the diverse cultural mix that characterizes the city’s bustling lifestyle. Their music life, diverse cuisines, embracement of different cultures, and breathtaking lively neighborhoods complemented the even more exciting conference, one I couldn’t have expected to present at a few months back.
To describe the conference in a few words, it was nothing short of mesmerizing and invigorating, comforting us with the continued efforts to enhance patient care and experience. The lectures, pioneering cardiological medical advancements, sponsors and product presentations introduced me to the industrious and innovative aspects of medicine. As I attended the various presentations, I couldn’t help but be baffled by the incredible research medical residents and attending cardiologists are conducting. From GLP-1s to innovative resuscitation tools, the conference was replete with the intelligence and grit that reassured me of the many breakthroughs awaiting aspiring medical professionals, like me, and showed me yet again how collaboration is fundamental to the research process.
Moreover, not only was I honored to be among the nation’s leading cardiologists, but I also had opportunities to further discern my sub-interests in medicine, networking with the impressive residents seeking future cardiology fellowships.
As the ICB continues its community outreach, with hopes of further catalyzing change, I look forward to our future initiatives aimed at supplementing our current pool of knowledge on the health challenges facing our brothers and sisters in Philadelphia.