Biomedical Sciences Student Organization - Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University

Welcome to the Biomedical Sciences Student Organization (BSSO)

Who are we? The BSSO is a student-run organization composed of members of the Biomedical Sciences doctoral and master's graduate programs.

What is our mission? The BSSO strives to help our fellow graduate students succeed in the Biomedical Sciences - Research program through mentorship, career education opportunities, and social events.

Activities supported by the BSSO

Graduate Student Research Conference (GSRC)

Student members of the BSSO organize an annual research conference open to the medical school and Hampton Roads community that allows graduate students an opportunity to present their research, strengthen their presentation skills and foster collaborations across departments and universities.

Now in its 10th year, the GSRC conference showcases basic science research by graduate students from across Virginia. Learn more about the 2022 GSRC.
The Graduate Student Research Conference is privileged, and proud, to have hosted students from universities across the Hampton Roads metro area and throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Past conference Participation

Contact us! If you have questions about the BSSO or the Biomedical Sciences research programs, please email us at bssoevms@gmail.com.

Meet the BSSO Executive Board

Natalie Stahr, BSSO President

Hi, my name is Natalie Stahr. I am originally from Rochester, Minnesota, although I also lived in Valrico, Florida for some time. I have a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Auburn University. I am currently a 3rd year PhD student in the labs of Dr. Elena Galkina and Dr. Woong-Ki Kim studying the role of CSF1R in diabetes as well as myeloid-derived STAT4 in metabolic syndrome in Alzheimer’s Disease.

Matthew Bavuso, BSSO Vice President

Hello, my name is Matthew Bavuso. I've lived in Virginia most of my life, but I have lived in Florida, North Carolina, and California. I earned my B.S. degree from Virginia Wesleyan University, and am in my 2nd year of the Biomedical Research Masters. I work under Dr. Dobrian studying the roles of extracellular vesicles in modulating various biological systems.

Cassandra Kirk, BSSO Secretary

Hello everyone! My name is Cassandra Kirk, but soon to be Cassandra Hyde for I get married this coming March! I am from a small town in central Florida called Mims, where my family still resides. I am a 2nd year master's student in the Biomedical Sciences - Research program. I am currently a part of Dr. Elena Galkina's lab which is an elaborate and dynamic lab that allows me to pursue and practice various techniques involving many different projects centered around the subject of immunology and atherosclerosis.

Julian Hattler, BSSO Treasurer

My name is Julian Hattler and I am a 2nd year Master's in the lab of Dr. Woong-Ki Kim studying a subset of brain perivascular macrophages in pediatric HIV/SIV infection and ART. I was born in Texas, grew up in Vermont, and did my undergraduate at the University of Virginia. I love to play soccer and board games, powerlift, and an excellent bourbon.

Austin Adkins, Phoenix Committee Representative

Hello, everyone! My name is Austin Adkins and I am a third year Ph.D. candidate within the sleep lab of Drs. Sanford and Wellman. My research is directed at the interface between sleep physiology, neuroimmunology, memory, and behavior, and aimed at understanding how these individual systems are integrated, and influence each other, during the stress response. I have held BSSO Executive Committee positions from 2019-2020 and am currently the Phoenix Committee Representative for the 2022-2023 academic year. I was also previously a student in the Biomedical Sciences - Research master’s program . If you have any questions about the Biomedical Sciences Program or the BSSO please feel free to reach out via email.