Out of 26 DVM-PhD students who submitted abstracts to the colloquium, Nichols was chosen as one of six selected to present his research to an audience of PhD students and administrators from universities around the country.
Nichols’ abstract focuses on how Cannabidiol, a drug being investigated to treat epilepsy in children, can also be used successfully to treat multiple sclerosis. He conducts research under the supervision of his PhD mentor, assistant professor Dr. Barbara Kaplan, who was excited to hear Nichols was selected to present at the prestigious event. “I was thrilled,” Kaplan said. “It really says a lot for the work he is doing. It shows what we’re doing in the lab, and shows people from other universities the quality of work we do in our veterinary PhD program.”
Nichols was honored to present the research he is so passionate about to such a prominent audience of researchers. “It felt really great to be chosen to present to my colleagues, who are DVM-PhD students, to present to the heads of other universities’ PhD programs, and to present to NIH members,” Nichols said. “It was a great opportunity.” Of the eight students currently participating in the College’s combined DVM-PhD program, three attended the NIH colloquium. Dr. Brittany Szafran, a DVM-PhD student who also works under Kaplan, attended and had a research abstract accepted into the colloquium’s abstract book, and Dr. Courtney Hunter, another DVM-PhD student, attended the colloquium as well.
