Soma Weiss Student Research Day is an annual forum where medical and dental students present their scholarly work and learn about the investigative work of their peers. The event, first organized by Harvard faculty and medical students in 1940, honors the memory of Soma Weiss, MD (1899-1942), an inspiring teacher and physician at HMS and an ardent supporter of student research. The day consists of a poster session and selected student oral presentations. It provides students with an opportunity to interact with faculty, staff, and peers from the greater Harvard community. In the News: Medical Students at the Vanguard of Advancing Science, Education, and Clinical Care
Soma Weiss Student Research Day 2026
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
4:00-6:30pm
TMEC Atrium
Student Book of Abstracts (HarvardKey required)
Current HMS students
Visit the Soma Weiss Day Student participation page to present your work on Soma Weiss Day (HarvardKey required)
Visit the Harvard Catalyst Writing and Communications Center site for helpful tools on writing manuscripts effectively, preparing a scientific talk, and designing a poster.
The following prizes are awarded for the best student posters:
- Elizabeth D. Hay Prize for Basic Science Research
- Judah Folkman Prize for Clinical/Translational Science Research
- Charles Janeway Prize for International Research or Service
- Robert Ebert Prize for Health Care Delivery Research or Service
- Leon Eisenberg Prize for Medicine in Society Research
Poster Winners 2025
Elizabeth D. Hay Prize for Basic Science Research
Catherine Hua, Developing a biological alternative to prosthetic elbows
Judah Folkman Prize for Clinical/Translational Science Research
Lynn Bi & Katelyn Li, Identifying predictors of immunotherapy response and resistance in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
Runner-up: Samia Ismail, Xylazine wound care among PWUD accessing Massachusetts syringe service programs
Charles Janeway Prize for International Research or Service
Ryan Benavente, Characterization of Guam’s physician workforce: Current and historical trends
Runner-up: Emily Powis, Exploring the roots of pediatric chronic osteomyelitis in Malawi: Uncovering factors contributing to vulnerability and late diagnosis
Leon Eisenberg Prize for Medicine in Society Research
Kushal Kadakia, FDA Authorization of therapeutic devices under the breakthrough devices program, 2016-2024
Runner-up: Michael Liu, Employment nondiscrimination protection and mental health among sexual minority adults: A difference-in-differences analysis
Research in a Minute