Illinois Medicine

Joe Geraghty, MD/PhD student and president of the Chicago Medical Student Council, talked to Illinois Medicine about what brought him here, his work in the lab of Jeffrey Loeb and Fernando Testai in the UI NeuroRepository, and his experience this year as student council president. What motivated you to attend medical school and to apply for the MD/PhD program at the COM? Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a doctor, and I wanted to teach. As an undergraduate at SUNY Geneseo, I did research in an organic chemistry lab, synthesizing organic compounds that had different medicinal applications. It was my first opportunity to fall in love with science for the sake of science. When I visited the College of Medicine, it seemed like the program was really invested in recruiting applicants. I was encouraged by the sense of collaboration I saw. I knew it would be supportive and allow me to excel. What got you interested in neurosciences, and what has your work in Dr. Loeb's lab and the NeuroRepository involved? Neurological diseases are so debilitating. During my second year of medical school, I met with Dr. Loeb and was immediately impressed by his enthusiasm and passion, and how his research translates to the diseases that affect his patients. Our lab studies a broad range of neurological diseases, from epilepsy, to ALS, to stroke. For my thesis project, I'm studying the role of neuroinflammation in long-term impairments after a particular type of stroke called subarachnoid hemorrhage, which occurs when aneurysms in the brain rupture. We are looking at seizure activity and cognitive dysfunction, as well as testing immunomodulatory therapies to prevent these impairments. The UI NeuroRepository has been a great addition to our lab's research program, as we now have access to a tremendous amount of patient data, including both tissue and clinical data from patients with epilepsy, stroke and ALS. What are your priorities as president of the Chicago Medical Student Council? I've been able to help establish an organization known as the Student Curricular Board, a unique collaboration between student government and the Office of Curricular Affairs. I have been advocating for my peers, bringing issues regarding curriculum and student services to the attention of the administration. My central goal this year has been to take these issues and synthesize them in a solutions-oriented fashion— like through "Dialogues with the Deans" events. We have created several brand-new committees on topics like wellness and resilience, diversity and inclusion, and preparation for licensing exams. How has the revived focus on the student in the revamped curriculum improved your experience and that of your classmates? I am thrilled with the new medical curriculum (see p. 4). The integrated, systems-based approach they're taking is going a long way. Ultimately, that's what you need to do as a third- and fourth- year medical student: When someone comes in with swelling in their limbs, it's not just one organ in the body that's potentially the culprit. The other thing that's really unique is the addition of medical colloquia and synthesis, which allows students a degree of individualization in their learning that cultivates their interests and passions. What makes you most proud to be a COM medical student? My answer is pretty much the same every time I get this question: It's really the people. The people here are really outstanding. There's a strong sense of community, and a strong sense of collaboration. When I interviewed here, I knew I was going to learn, grow, and be surrounded by inspiring peers and mentors who would push me to my greatest potential. Q A 5 QUESTIONS 1 2 3 4 5 P H O T O : D I A N E S M U T N Y 48 | S P R I N G 2 0 1 8

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