While taking a course, Clinical Immunology BMS-331, ElMaghraby was inspired to conduct a research study on vaccine myths and misconceptions as a response to widespread misinformation, the current spread of measles across the U.S. and budget cuts for organizations like the FDA and CDC.

“This topic is especially important for healthcare providers today because it is their responsibility to disseminate accurate information about vaccines in an accessible way to patients, especially those who are vaccine-hesitant,” said ElMaghraby. "It’s also vital that healthcare providers understand the reasons why some people may be vaccine-hesitant, as it will help them better tailor their explanations to the individual. Despite all of the information that a patient may read online, healthcare professionals are still a trusted source of health information, which is why they must encourage discussion and question-asking.” 

With the mentorship of Lisa Cuchara, professor of biomedical sciences, ElMaghraby’s poster outlines common misconceptions and provides evidence-based secondary research to debunk them. ElMaghraby examined peer-reviewed articles and journals to develop her research, some of which are not accessible to the general public. 

“Hana’s research helps equip future healthcare professionals with the tools they need to have informed, empathetic and evidence-based conversations — an increasingly vital skill in today’s healthcare landscape,” said Cuchara. “Her experience with this project and with communicating the project, will leave an indelible mark on her as a physician and on her ability to communicate with laypeople, family, friends and patients alike.” 

ElMaghraby emphasizes the goal of her research, which is to educate people about the different ways that common myths regarding vaccines have been debunked and disproven. For the general public, ElMaghraby aims to share general knowledge and information, and for future healthcare professionals, she hopes that they leave with a better understanding of vaccine hesitancy and how to approach it.

“The reality is that it’s difficult to fully change someone’s mind about vaccines during a 15-minute patient encounter,” she said. “But what healthcare providers can do is listen empathetically to concerns regarding vaccines and encourage question asking. While they may not be able to fully convince the patient or their parents, the goal should be to give a strong recommendation to vaccinate and to educate the patient in an accessible way about the benefits of vaccines.”

ElMaghraby’s research and course curriculum further propelled her aspirations for pursuing medical school. While initially leaning toward family medicine, this project and mentorship from Professor Cuchara inspired ElMaghraby to consider hematology-oncology to continue learning about the immunotherapies for different types of cancer.

ElMaghraby said that this project will shape the way she will treat her patients in the future.

“As a future physician, I will likely encounter patients who are vaccine-hesitant. However, after doing the research for this project, I feel I am more equipped to have discussions about vaccines with concerned parents or patients,” said ElMaghraby. “I now have a deeper understanding of vaccine hesitancy and the strategies to combat it in a clinical setting. I hope to be able to communicate important information about vaccines effectively to the person I am speaking to and allow them to feel heard and understood.”

In addition to combating misinformation, the research project highlights the importance of physician-patient trust.

“One key idea in my poster is that building trust between the patient and the provider is essential,” she said. “So even if I could not fully convince the patient or parent, if I was able to build more trust between us and answer their questions with empathy, then the patient encounter would have been successful.”

As a testament to her passion and commitment, ElMaghraby presented her poster at the Interprofessional Healthcare Education (IPE) Poster Day.

“It’s a privilege to be able to present my research at the IPE Poster Day. It’s such an amazing opportunity to be able to witness the hard work that other students have put into their posters and the strides that we are taking in different fields of medical research,” said ElMaghraby. “Events like IPE are incredibly important in promoting collaboration between different healthcare professions. Healthcare is a team effort, so being able to speak to others about their work builds trust between different healthcare professionals.”

Chuchara echoes ElMaghraby’s dedication and exemplary work.

“Her flexibility and proactive adaptation underscore her commendable attributes. Through this experience, I saw Hana grow significantly as both a researcher and communicator,” said Chuchara. “She became more thoughtful about how information is perceived and processed by different audiences, which is a critical skill in science communication. She also showed increased confidence in articulating complex topics clearly and accurately, making her communication more effective and impactful.”

Reflecting on her research experience, ElMaghraby is grateful for the support and mentorship from her professor.

“I could not have made this poster without the help of my professor Lisa Cuchara,” she said. “Her mentorship helped me make this poster what it is now. She helped me elevate my abstract to cover more information about the responsibilities of healthcare providers and made my poster stronger in terms of the messaging.”

Beyond her project, ElMaghraby is a strong advocate for healthcare professionals to speak up against misinformation, as she believes it’s her ethical responsibility. Training to become a trusted voice in her community, ElMaghraby encourages fellow aspiring physicians and healthcare professionals to rise up.

“The only thing needed for vaccine-preventable diseases to regain ground is for future healthcare professionals — like me — to stay silent in the face of misinformation,” said ElMaghraby. “Choosing not to engage or speak up allows fear, myths and conspiracy theories to take root — putting vulnerable lives at risk and eroding trust in science, as well as the healthcare system as a whole. Silence isn’t neutral — it’s a missed opportunity to lead with truth, empathy and compassion.”