The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) extends its sincere congratulations to third-year medical student, Gideon Schamberger, upon receiving the prestigious Marc Dresden Travel Award for his research poster, entitled, Molecular Identification of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ixodes scapularis from Monroe County, New York.
The Award recognizes outstanding student research and supported Schamberger’s presentation of the research at the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Parasitologists, held from July 26–29, 2026, in Orlando, Florida.
Schamberger conducted the research alongside co-researcher Cassidy Landis under the mentorship of Matthew Tucker, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Microbiology at LECOM-Bradenton.
Their work focused on the molecular identification of tick-borne pathogens carried by Ixodes scapularis, commonly known as the blacklegged or deer tick, in Monroe County, New York.
Tick-borne diseases continue to represent an important public health concern, making research into the pathogens carried by local tick populations particularly relevant.
Through molecular approaches, the research team sought to better characterize the presence of tick-borne pathogens and contribute to a greater understanding of potential disease risks in the region.
Presenting this work at a national scientific meeting provided Schamberger and Landis with an opportunity to share their findings with researchers and professionals in the field of parasitology while gaining valuable experience communicating scientific research to a broader academic audience.
The Marc Dresden Travel Award is a notable recognition of Schamberger’s research accomplishments and highlights the caliber of scholarly work being conducted by LECOM scholars.
His achievement also reflects the importance of faculty mentorship and collaborative research opportunities in advancing student learning beyond the classroom.
LECOM lauds Gideon Schamberger and Cassidy Landis on their research achievement and Dr. Tucker on his superlative mentorship. Their work exemplifies the commitment to scientific inquiry, collaboration, and academic excellence that continues to strengthen the LECOM research community.