Chapman PA Students Shine at National Conference with Research Presentations while competing among the nation’s top PA programs in the National Medical Challenge Bowl

June 24, 2026

Chapman University Physician Assistant (PA) students made an impressive impact at the 2026 American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, showcasing their research, earning prestigious scholarships, and competing in one of the profession’s premier academic competitions.

Eleven second-year PA students, accompanied by four faculty members, represented Chapman University at the conference held May 16–19, 2026. Their accomplishments highlighted the program’s growing national presence and commitment to advancing healthcare through research, scholarship, and academic excellence.

Research Excellence on a National Stage

One of the conference’s highlights was the Project Innovation Exchange, a highly competitive research forum featuring graduate student scholarship from PA programs across the country. Out of more than 150 abstracts submitted, only 64 were selected for presentation.

Chapman students contributed seven of the accepted abstracts that is approximately 11 percent of all presentations! This placed Chapman among the top two contributing institutions out of 23 universities represented in the conference.

The selected research topics reflected some of today’s most pressing healthcare challenges and emerging innovations:

AI in Surgery: Balancing Innovation with Clinical Judgment
Multidrug-Resistant Candida Auris: A Novel Approach Is Required
Postpartum Depression: Does It Affect Breast Milk Composition?
Targeting Shared Pathophysiology: ALS and Alzheimer’s Novel Treatment
Artificial Intelligence and the Evolving Role of PAs
Determinants Shaping PA Contributions to Primary Care Nationwide
Speed vs. Care: Productivity Quotas in Emergency Medicine

The students’ success was guided by Dr. M. Reza Mirbolooki, whose mentorship helped shepherd the projects from development through national presentation.

“This accomplishment would not have been possible without the dedication of our exceptional students and the unwavering support of our faculty,” said Dr. Mirbolooki. “I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Professors Walsh, Stone, Cates, Swisher, Saldivar, Snee, and Burney for their collaboration and commitment to excellence in research.”

Students presenting research at the conference included Makayla Ives, Justice Adair, Nhat Anh Cao, Clarice Chui, Yoonjo D. Choi, Nicole Strong, Janel Tran, and Angelica Cadondon.

National Scholarship Recognition

Further elevating Chapman’s presence at the conference, Nicole Strong and Angelica Cadondon were named recipients of the 2026 AAPA PA Student Scholarship. The honor recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to the PA profession.

Their selection further underscores the strength and caliber of Chapman’s PA program and its students.

Competing Among the Nation’s Best

Chapman students also demonstrated their medical knowledge and teamwork during the AAPA National Medical Challenge Bowl, one of the conference’s most anticipated academic competitions.

This year’s Challenge Bowl featured 87 programs from among the nation’s 322 accredited PA programs. Chapman’s team—Mackenzie Blaylock, Janel Tran, and Astrid Herrera, with alternates Emilia Piskoulian and Mallory Gradow—prepared through weekly practice sessions over three months under the guidance of faculty coaches Anne Walsh and Mayngan Stone.

The team represented Chapman with distinction and continued the program’s tradition of academic excellence.

Looking ahead, the students are preparing to defend Chapman’s back-to-back California state championship title at the California Academy of PAs (CAPA) Conference this September.

Advancing the Future of Healthcare

From nationally recognized research presentations to scholarship honors and academic competition success, Chapman PA students demonstrated the innovation, dedication, and leadership that define the program currently ranked #58 making it into the top 20% PA programs nationally.

Their accomplishments at the AAPA Annual Conference reflect Chapman University’s continued commitment to preparing future healthcare leaders while advancing research and collaboration that can improve patient care nationwide.