Mary Kathryn (Katy) Abel and Dr. Rita Mukhtar Honored with Awards at 2020 Inquiry Symposium Ceremony

The UCSF Department of Surgery congratulates UCSF medical student Mary Kathryn (Katy) Abel, AB and Rita Mukhtar, MD on their respective awards presented at the 2020 Inquiry Symposium ceremony on April 29, 2020.

Mary Kathryn (Katy) Abel, MA, an MD Candidate at UCSF (Class of 2021), was awarded the "Long-Term Deans Prize in Research and Scholarship" for 2020 for her research project “Clinical Outcomes after Standard Interventions in Invasive Lobular Carcinoma of the Breast,” one of five such prestigious Dean’s Prizes awarded to medical students each year.

Dr. Mukhtar, a breast and oncologic surgeon-scientist, and assistant professor in the Division of General Surgery, was honored with the the 2019-2020 "Long Term Mentor" award, having been nominated for the honor by her mentee, Ms. Abel. The letter to Dr. Mukhtar informing her of the award noted:

The nomination and selection for the 2019-2020 Long-Term Mentor Award by your mentee, Mary Kathryn Abel. We received many letters of nomination from Inquiry learners who received outstanding support and guidance from faculty, like yourself. Mary Kathryn’s nomination of your mentorship exemplifies the UCSF commitment to fostering the pursuit of innovation, leadership, and research.

Dr. Mukhtar’s clinical and translational research program focuses on invasive lobular carcinoma, the second most common type of breast cancer, and an understudied disease with unique treatment challenges.

The awards were presented at the 2020 Inquiry Symposium and Awards Ceremony by Inquiry Curriculum Director, Dr. Rita Redberg. Several times each year, medical students and interprofessional partners at UCSF convene for the Inquiry Symposium. The events feature plenary speakers, award presentations, and lively poster sessions. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held virtually.