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Kota Student Wins Prestigious US Research Award
13 Sep
Summary
- Komal Verma Saluja, a medical student, won the ACP Researcher of the Year Award.
- Her research includes an imaging marker for cognitive decline in diabetes patients.
- She also proposed using echocardiography to screen for fatty liver disease.
Komal Verma Saluja, a medical student from Kota's Government Medical College, has been honored with the American College of Physicians (ACP) India Chapter's 'Researcher of the Year Award 2026'. This marks a historic achievement, as she is the first medical student and the youngest individual to receive this accolade from the globally recognized ACP. Saluja's research addresses critical health issues, including her published work in Nature Scientific Reports. This study identified a novel imaging marker using brain MRIs to detect early cognitive decline in patients with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, her innovative research proposed utilizing routine echocardiography as an opportunistic screening tool for fatty liver disease, potentially reducing healthcare costs and patient burden. This latter study also secured her an International Travel Grant from the American College of Gastroenterology, enabling attendance at their Annual Scientific Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. Saluja's academic achievements extend to being the first student from Rajasthan selected for the Khorana Programme for Scholars, a testament to her research potential and contributions to Indo-US scientific collaboration. The award has been hailed by college officials as an inspiration for other students, underscoring the significant potential impact of her research on global health concerns.
