Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine

Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine We empower the future of medicine by advancing medical education, driving discovery and promoting wellness throughout Appalachia and beyond.

New research from the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine provides insight into how binge alcohol exp...
09/02/2026

New research from the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine provides insight into how binge alcohol exposure during adolescence may cause lasting changes in brain function that persist into adulthood.

“Human studies have shown that adolescent binge drinking can drive long-term impairment in cognition and worsen mental health outcomes that are risk factors for alcohol and substance use disorders,” said Mary-Louise Risher, PhD, associate professor at the School of Medicine.

“Growing evidence in recent years has highlighted a promising new role of astrocytes in the modulation of synaptic activity and behavioral outcomes,” said Olivia Coulter, first author of the paper and doctoral candidate at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. “These cells contribute to the regulation of neurona function, influencing complex behaviors. Astrocytes are now being recognized as potential therapeutic targets for rescuing deficits associated with brain injury and mental health disorders. This work is an important step towards developing new astrocyte-targeted strategies to improve brain health.”

🗞️ Learn more: bit.ly/4x5irpn

Four second-year medical students at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine are among the authors of...
09/02/2026

Four second-year medical students at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine are among the authors of a newly published review examining how —tiny particles released by cells—help cells and organs communicate and how changes in that communication may contribute to chronic disease.

Published in Current Issues in Molecular Biology, the review summarizes current research on how exosomes are formed, what they carry between cells and how their signaling changes in disease. The authors also examine the potential use of exosomes as for disease and as tools for delivering future therapies.

🗞️ Read more: bit.ly/4AasuN1

Resident Physician Spotlight: Dr. Terry Waddell 🩺Dr. Terry Waddell’s path to psychiatry was anything but predictable, an...
09/02/2026

Resident Physician Spotlight: Dr. Terry Waddell 🩺

Dr. Terry Waddell’s path to psychiatry was anything but predictable, and that’s part of what makes his story so inspiring. 💚

A native of Franklin Furnace, Ohio, Dr. Waddell entered college unsure of what career he wanted to pursue. He explored engineering and accounting before discovering a love for biology through courses in microbiology, anatomy and physiology. With encouragement from a professor at Shawnee State University, he began considering medicine and eventually earned his MD from the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine in 2023.

Psychiatry was another unexpected turn. Dr. Waddell entered medical school interested in hematology/oncology after conducting research focused on cancer, including acute myeloid leukemia. During his third year, a clinical experience introduced him to psychiatry and changed the direction of his career.

Today, his interests include consultation-liaison psychiatry and psycho-oncology, allowing him to bring his passion for psychiatry and his original interest in cancer full circle.

His journey also includes 10 years working at Wendy's while completing his undergraduate, graduate and medical education. Starting as a crew member and eventually becoming an assistant manager, Dr. Waddell credits the experience with teaching him valuable lessons in leadership, communication, perseverance and working with people.

At Marshall, Dr. Waddell has also embraced opportunities to teach, mentor and lead. He has served as a psychiatry chief resident, worked with medical students and junior trainees and earned recognition including the Mildred Mitchell Bateman Psychiatry Student of the Year, GME Resident of the Month and election to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

Dr. Waddell’s journey is a great reminder that your path doesn’t have to be perfectly planned to lead you somewhere meaningful.

We can’t wait to see where that path takes you next, Dr. Waddell! 💚

A new scholarship to support incoming medical students from Cabell and Wayne counties has been established at the Marsha...
09/01/2026

A new scholarship to support incoming medical students from Cabell and Wayne counties has been established at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.

The Ava W. & Charles E. “Pete” Peters Jr. Endowed Scholarship will be established through an estate gift from Ava and Charles “Pete” Peters, longtime supporters of healthcare in Huntington and the surrounding region.

🗞️ Read more: bit.ly/4r5DGq5

Marshall Medical Outreach - MMO brought care and resources to the community this weekend with the help of students, volu...
08/31/2026

Marshall Medical Outreach - MMO brought care and resources to the community this weekend with the help of students, volunteers and community partners.

The team provided a wide range of healthcare and preventive services, including:
• Vision care
• Colonoscopy, lung cancer and mammogram screenings
• HIV and STI testing
• Hepatitis A, hepatitis B and Tdap vaccinations
• Narcan education and distribution

From preventive screenings to education and connections to care, each service helps make important health resources more accessible.

Thank you to our medical students, volunteers and partners who continue to give their time and expertise to make these outreach events possible! 💚

Think you have to follow a specific path to medical school? Think again!First-year medical student Riley Decker, who maj...
08/31/2026

Think you have to follow a specific path to medical school? Think again!

First-year medical student Riley Decker, who majored in psychological sciences and minored in English, is sharing a few myths she encountered on her journey to medicine.

❌ Myth: You have to major in biology or chemistry to get into medical school.
✅ Reality: There are many paths to medicine. Riley says her background in psychological sciences and English helped her develop skills that are vital to healthcare, including understanding patients and communicating clearly.

❌ Myth: Everyone in medical school comes straight from undergrad.
✅ Reality: Medical students come from all kinds of backgrounds. Riley spent four years after college founding a business, completing a pre-medical post-baccalaureate program and working as an ER tech.

❌ Myth: Research has to happen in a wet lab.
✅ Reality: Research opportunities are everywhere! Riley's research explored cognitive performance in athletes, the parasympathetic nervous system, sleep and stress.

❌ Myth: Good scores are all that matter.
✅ Reality: Riley says it's also important to have unique interests and experiences you can speak passionately about. Your story matters!

❌ Myth: You can't do well on the MCAT without a biology or chemistry major.
✅ Reality: The MCAT also includes reading comprehension, psychology and sociology, making a background in the social sciences and humanities valuable preparation.

Your path to medicine doesn't have to look like everyone else's. Find what you're passionate about, build meaningful experiences and bring your own perspective to medicine. 💚

Ready to start your journey?

🔗 Apply now: bit.ly/3HUXE48

Pickleball, popsicles and a break from the books! 🏓🍧Second-year medical student Hannah Allen and PickleDocs recently bro...
08/30/2026

Pickleball, popsicles and a break from the books! 🏓🍧

Second-year medical student Hannah Allen and PickleDocs recently brought Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine students together for some friendly competition and a chance to unwind outside the classroom.

PickleDocs is a student-led group that gives future physicians a fun way to stay active, connect with classmates and take a break from medical school. 💚

Whether you're a pickleball pro or picking up a paddle for the first time, there's always room on the court! 🏓

Meet the Future Doctors: Aaron Lin 🩺Incoming Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine student Aaron Lin is...
08/30/2026

Meet the Future Doctors: Aaron Lin 🩺

Incoming Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine student Aaron Lin is passionate about caring for patients when and where they need it most.

After a frightening experience involving his father-in-law's medical emergency, Aaron was inspired to pursue a career in emergency medicine and disaster response. Since then, he has intentionally prepared for that calling by becoming an EMT, training with a mountain rescue team and volunteering with the Los Angeles County Disaster Communications Service to help coordinate emergency communications during disasters.

Aaron has also completed lifeguard readiness training and earned multiple emergency response certifications, all while conducting award-winning organic chemistry research and leading an international volunteer organization that taught him the importance of teamwork, communication and service.

We're excited to welcome Aaron, his wife and their three children to the Marshall family and look forward to the dedication, resilience and servant leadership he will bring to the future of medicine. 💚

Meet the Future Doctors 🩺Second-year medical student Bryn Schoonover’s path to medicine began with an early fascination ...
08/29/2026

Meet the Future Doctors 🩺

Second-year medical student Bryn Schoonover’s path to medicine began with an early fascination with science and a desire to understand how physicians could use it to improve patients’ lives.

Bryn attended Gettysburg College, where he was a three-year student-athlete and earned degrees in Health Sciences and Public Policy with a minor in biology. He later earned a master’s degree in Physiology and Biophysics through Georgetown University’s SMP program. Marshall was always his top choice, so receiving his acceptance call while on a golf course in northern Virginia made the moment even more memorable!

Watching doctors and healthcare teams care for his grandfather and help him return to the things he loved was a major turning point for Bryn. Seeing how his recovery impacted his entire family showed him that physicians can make a difference far beyond an individual patient.

Outside of medicine, Bryn is a self-described fantasy literature nerd who loves J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. He’s also an avid golfer and enjoys playing with classmates to unwind after exams.

His family keeps him grounded. Bryn says his wife is his number one supporter while his parents are some of his biggest cheerleaders. Their support motivates him to become the best physician he can be.

After his first year of medical school, Bryn learned the importance of being mentally flexible and adapting his study methods. His advice to incoming students is to trust yourself, find what works for you and be adaptable. There is no one right way to tackle medical school.

We look forward to following Bryn’s journey and seeing the impact he will make as a future physician! 💚

Wei Xu, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomedical sciences at Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine has ...
08/29/2026

Wei Xu, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomedical sciences at Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine has received two highly competitive National Institutes of Health (NIH) R21 grants totaling more than $810,000 to investigate new approaches for combating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.

🗞️ Read more: bit.ly/4wSWwSe

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