On April 27, American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine student Ryan Singhi and Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) student Eric Singhi placed second in the statewide competition between residents and medical students at the annual South Carolina Medical Association (SCMA) conference.

Singhi & Singhi were two of only twenty medical students and/or residents selected to participate in the 8th Annual SCMA Poster Presentation. The SCMA was founded in 1848 with several dozen members and has since expanded to include more than 6,000 members. It continues to be the voice of physicians in South Carolina. The poster presentation was a forum to discuss research and promote awareness of novel medical studies conducted within South Carolina.

Ryan Singhi is a third year medical student at AUA who is currently completing his Pediatric rotation in Decatur, GA at DeKalb Medical Center. Ryan graduated from Furman University in 2009 and is interested in practicing primary care medicine. Eric Singhi is a first year Rich Scholar at MUSC Medicine in Charleston. Eric graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Duke University in May 2012. He plans to pursue a career in Cardiology after graduating from medical school in 2016.

Singhi & Singhi presented a case report on non-traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease in young adult patients. The report aimed to promote awareness of advanced genetic testing for a specific gene known as the ApoE. The ApoE gene is a well-studied genetic risk factor for development of Alzheimer disease but one must bring attention to the role of the ApoE gene in cholesterol regulation; specifically the variant ApoE E4 allele in correlation with premature coronary artery disease. Both students hoped to promote awareness of this gene and to encourage further research on non-traditional risk factors for heart disease in young patients.

The research looked at adapting a heart-healthy Mediterranean diet in all age groups to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events. Recently, The New England Journal of Medicine highlighted the importance of adapting healthy lifestyle choices, such as using extra virgin olive oil and nuts, to reduce risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

The case report conducted by Singhi & Singhi was in conjunction with Piedmont Medical Center and the research department of Carolina Cardiology Associates in Rock Hill, SC.