Third Annual Research Symposium

Presented by the Kansas Education and Research Network (KERN) and the KansasCOM Student Research Club
Thursday, March 5, 2026 | 5-9 p.m. CT

Location:
Kansas Health Science University
217 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita KS 67202

Kansas Education and Research Network (KERN) and the KansasCOM Student Research Club are proud to present an evening celebrating the research, creativity, and scholarly achievements of our KansasCOM faculty and student doctors.

Attendees are invited to enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and curated vendor experiences while engaging with presenters and colleagues. Now entering its third year, the event has grown to welcome nearly 200 participants annually and continues to highlight the remarkable work taking place across our institution.

This event is free and open to the public.

Thanks to our Sponsors

Event Overview

Join us for a dynamic evening featuring:

Keynote Speaker – Insights from a world-renowned, high-profile research expert
Student Research Presentations – Showcasing the inspiring work of our medical students
Student Research Awards Ceremony – Celebrating outstanding student achievements
Physician Networking Lounge – Opportunities for students to connect with practicing physicians
Premium Catering – Dinner, desserts, and beverages served throughout the evening

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Thomas J. Ropel

FBI Special Agent (Ret.) | Scholar-Practitioner | Behavioral Science Expert

We are honored to welcome Thomas J. Ropel, Ph.D., as our keynote speaker. Dr. Ropel is a nationally recognized scholar-practitioner with a 21-year career leading high-stakes investigations across the globe. His work includes interviewing high-profile criminals and teaching science-based interviewing techniques to intelligence and law enforcement personnel from more than a dozen countries.

In this keynote presentation, Dr. Ropel will share how the strategies used to uncover critical intelligence in extreme circumstances translate directly into the world of health care and research. Attendees will learn:

How to build trust and rapport in patient interviews
Methods to minimize bias and improve data accuracy
Ways to navigate cognitive load during complex encounters
Techniques to gather reliable information when the stakes are high

This is a rare opportunity to learn from a leader whose experience spans ICUs, interrogation rooms, and classrooms around the world. Discover how behavioral science can enrich both clinical practice and research methodology.