APMA Abstracts: From Poster to Podium is about more than presenting research—it’s about amplifying it. This initiative is designed to elevate foot and ankle research from the conference floor to the global stage, ensuring that important ideas don’t stop at a poster board but continue to inform, influence, and inspire clinical practice.
By giving selected abstracts a platform beyond the exhibit hall, From Poster to Podium creates a meaningful pathway for researchers, clinicians, and innovators to share their work with a broader audience. It bridges the gap between discovery and dissemination, transforming promising research into conversations that reach peers across disciplines, geographies, and generations.
This program celebrates curiosity, rigor, and collaboration—highlighting the voices shaping the future of foot and ankle care. It’s about visibility, momentum, and impact. Because great research deserves more than a moment—it deserves a platform.
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the standards and requirements for approval of providers of continuing education in podiatric medicine through a joint provider agreement between Cine-Med and lerEXPO. Cine-Med is approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education as a provider of continuing education in podiatric medicine. Cine-Med has approved this activity for a maximum of 12 continuing education contact hours.
Each presentation is approved for 1 Credit Hour (60 minutes of content). The series is approved for a total of 12 credits. Credits will be issued at the end of the series.
03/19/2026 08:00 pm
Paramita Basu
PhD, MS
Chia-Ding Shih
DPM, MPH, MA
Jeneen Elagha
DPM
Steffi Casimir
MS
Thomas Yanushefski
DPM
02/19/2026 08:00 pm
Michael Higham
DPM
Malachi Brown
Podiatric Student
Annmarie Abodeely
Podiatric Student
Chiara Edlin
Podiatric Student
Chasen Shao
DPM
01/15/2026 08:00 pm
Marlena Shantal-Moore
DPM
Jean Chen-Vitulli
DPM
Shalvi Prasad
DPM
Salvatore Fazio
DPM
Zaria St. Lawrence
DPM
Fiona Chen
DPM
Fiona Chen, DPM, is a board-qualified foot and ankle surgeon currently in her final year of residency at Northwell Health LIJ North Shore. She is trained in advanced surgical techniques, including elective and reconstructive procedures, minimally invasive surgery, and arthroscopy. Dr. Chen completed her undergraduate studies at Cornell University, where she majored in biological sciences with a concentration in animal physiology. She graduated cum laude and published her honors thesis on the genetic regulation of intestinal stem cells in Drosophila melanogaster and its role in maintaining gut homeostasis. She later earned her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. Outside of the hospital, she enjoys playing video games, ice skating, and drawing.
Dr. Michael Higham is a dedicated Foot and Ankle Surgeon and Doctor of Podiatric Medicine at UT Health RGV. He also serves as an Assistant Professor at the UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Higham graduated with honors from both Utah State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science, and Midwestern University College of Podiatric Medicine, where he received his Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine. He then completed his surgical training at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center. As clinical faculty at UTRGV SOPM, Dr. Higham teaches and mentors the next generation of podiatric physicians and surgeons. At UT Health RGV, Dr. Higham provides comprehensive and surgical care of the foot and ankle. His principal professional interests include foot and ankle sports medicine, for which he instructs the course at UTRGV SOPM; biomechanics, where he was honored with the Paul H. and Carol F. Rasmussen Excellence in Biomechanics Award in 2021; and pediatric podiatry, in which he received extensive training at McClain Children's Hospital.
Malachi Brown is a 3rd-year Doctoral candidate in Podiatric Medicine at Barry University in Miami, FL, where he serves as the Student Body President. With a strong passion for community service, Malachi is committed to providing healthcare to underserved communities. His research interests span public health, global health, dermatopathology, and surgical techniques for the foot and ankle. Malachi holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Interdisciplinary Studies from Florida International University, graduating in 2020 with Summa Cum Laude honors and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Prior to graduate school, he gained valuable experience working at a physical medicine clinic for five years. In addition to healthcare, Malachi is passionate about leadership and mentorship. Outside of his academic and professional pursuits, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, binge-watching movies and shows, and weightlifting.
Chiara Edlin is a fourth-year podiatric medical student at Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. Originally from South Africa, she spent most of her life in Tucson, Arizona, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Physiology and Medical Sciences at the University of Arizona. In her free time, Chiara enjoys crocheting, reading,
drawing, and spending time with her family.
Chasen Shao is a dedicated podiatric surgeon currently engaged with the One Brooklyn Health Residency Program. He has a strong educational and professional background, coupled with significant research contributions that underscore his commitment to the field of podiatric medicine.
Professional Background
• Education: Dr. Shao acquired his medical degree from the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (TUSPM) in 2023, where he held prominent roles such as Class President for the Class of 2023 and Research Coordinator for the American Public Health Association (APHA) student chapter.
• Residency: Presently, he is a PGY-3 Resident at the One Brooklyn Health Residency Program in Brooklyn, NY, where he continues to enhance his surgical skills and clinical knowledge.
• Research & Publications: Dr. Shao has made commendable contributions to podiatric medical research, including co-authoring a study titled "Arterial Leg Ulcerations Associated With Beta-Thalassemia," published in Podiatry Today. He also showcased his research on Limb Salvage at the Young Member's Institute Complications Seminar.
Honors and Involvement
• Scholarships: In 2022, Dr. Shao was awarded the Ortho Dermatologics ASPIRE HIGHER Scholarship, acknowledging his academic excellence and potential in the medical field.
• Community Involvement: Throughout his academic journey, he actively participated in marathon running and held leadership roles in several student organizations, demonstrating his commitment to community service and leadership.
I am a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. My research interest focuses towards the development of new medicines for the treatment of chronic postoperative pain, chronic neuropathic pain, and chronic itch. I employ several advanced methods, including different modes of drug administration, behavioral analysis, surgical models of chronic pain, gene and protein expression, and molecular genetics, all in mouse models, to elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms of chronic pain, as well as pharmacological approaches to alleviate chronic pain.
Chia-Ding (JD) Shih, DPM, MPH, specializes in chronic wounds of the foot and ankle, lower extremity biomechanics, and foot and ankle reconstructive surgery. Dr. Shih is board-certified by both the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. He also holds a master’s in public health.
His research interests include population studies in non-traumatic amputation prevention and health care disparities, along with biomechanics and foot and ankle reconstruction as part of wound management. He is widely published in peer-reviewed medical journals on topics such as diabetic foot epidemiology, diabetic foot ulcer and infection diagnostic imaging and diabetic foot prevention strategy and policy.
Dr. Shih is active in the American and California podiatric medical associations and the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine, where he serves as a mentor. He received the Arthur E. Helfand Award for outstanding research and the John and Janet Carson Public Health Advocacy Award, both from the American Public Health Association.
He completed the Lawrence B. Harkless Fellowship in Limb Preservation at Keck Medicine of USC in 2019. He received his doctorate in Podiatric Medicine with honors from the California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University, then served his residency in podiatric medicine and surgery with the Department of Veterans Affairs and multiple hospitals across Los Angeles. Dr. Shih’s interest in preventing amputations led him to get his Master’s in Public Health from The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. His goal is to help patients across Southern California preserve their mobility and live active, healthy lives.
He grew up in Taipei, Taiwan, and has lived in the United States for more than half his life, residing on both the east and west coasts.
Second-year podiatric surgical resident at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. Poster presented on behalf of the Society of Podiatric Organization Volunteerism.
Steffi Casimir is a third-year Doctor of Podiatric Medicine candidate at Samuel Merritt University College of Podiatric Medicine. She has a strong academic and research focus in wound care, limb salvage, and sports-related lower extremity pathology. Steffi serves as Editor-in-Chief of the National Foot and Ankle Review and is actively involved in national leadership roles within podiatric medicine, including service with the American Podiatric Medical Students’ Association and the American Podiatric Medical Association.
Her research interests center on surgical outcomes, diabetic foot complications, and evidence-based approaches to improving care in underserved populations. Steffi has presented research at regional and national conferences and is passionate about translating clinical research into practical application.
Beyond academics, she is dedicated to mentorship, community outreach, and increasing representation within the medical field. She looks forward to sharing insights on the process of developing a poster presentation into a podium-level discussion.
Thomas Yanushefski, DPM is currently a 3rd year resident at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He enjoys all aspects of podiatric medicine, including sports medicine, diabetic foot care, wound care, and reconstructive surgery. He will be starting as an associate at PA Foot and Ankle Associates in Allentown, Pennsylvania in July upon graduation from residency.