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For immediate release:
Contact: Cynthia Hall at [email protected] or 815.395.5920
University of Illinois College of Medicine and Masters of Science in Medical Biotechnology
Convocation – Class of 2015
The University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford hosted its first combined
Convocation for the College of Medicine and Masters of Science in Medical Biotechnolgy
(MBT) Class of 2015 on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Coronado Theatre in
Rockford, Illinois. Alex S. Stagnaro-Green, MD, MHPE, Regional Dean and Professor of
Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Medical Education at University of Illinois College of
Medicine at Rockford, provided opening remarks. Timothy N. Koritz, MD, PhD, Board of
Trustees, University of Illinois, provided a welcome address. New Chancellor and Vice President
of the University of Illinois at Chicago offered remarks. Dean Dimitri Azar, MD, MBA of the
University of Illinois College of Medicine also delivered opening comments. Karen Colley,
PhD, Dean of the Graduate College and Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the
University of Illinois at Chicago, also addressed the group.
“The Masters of Science in Biotechnology Program’s Class of 2015 includes 16 students – seven
of whom already have job offers and one who is heading to medical school,” said Dean Alex
Stagnaro-Green. “There are 45 graduating students in the College of Medicine at Rockford’s
Class of 2015. These graduates will be entering 13 different specialties across 18 states.”
Ilche Nonevski, MD, MBA, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, was this
year’s faculty speaker. David Gordon was named class speaker for the College of Medicine and
Luke Wojdyla provided class remarks for the MBT program.
The James E. Rebel Award, presented in memory of James E. Rebel, a member of the Charter
College of Medicine at Rockford class, who died following an automobile accident during his
senior year, was presented to Joshua Kannankeril. Dr. Kannankeril, chosen by the senior class,
exemplifies Jim’s personal characteristics of dedication and enthusiasm for learning medicine
and personal sensitivity towards patients, fellow students, and others.
College of Medicine Class of 2015
Hometown, educational background, residency program, and awards:
Kavin A. Arasar
Hometown: Naperville, Illinois
Education:
University of Chicago, BA, Biological Sciences & Immunology
Specialty:
Internal Medicine
Residency:
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Mary H. Ayers
Hometown: Monmouth, Illinois
Education:
Loyola University, BS, Biology
Specialty:
Pediatrics
Residency:
Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio
Arthur B. Boyd, III
Hometown: Shaker Heights, Ohio
Education:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, BS, Molecular & Cellular Biology
EdM, Educational Policy Studies
Harvard Division of Continuing Education, ALM, Biology
2016 Residency Match Participant
Juan L. Cazares
Hometown: Whittier, California
Education:
University of California, Berkeley, BA, Anthropology
Specialty:
Pediatrics
Residency:
University of California, Irvine Medical Center, Orange, California
Sheila Z. Chang
Hometown: Arcadia, California
Education:
Dartmouth College, BA, Biology; MPH, Public Health
Specialty:
Pediatrics
Residency:
UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
Vanina M. Chavarri
Hometown: Alpena, Michigan
Education:
University of Michigan, BS, Anthropology-Zoology
Specialty:
Otolaryngology
Residency:
University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Katherine A. Chenoweth
Hometown: Decatur, Illinois
Education:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, BS, Molecular & Cellular Biology
Specialty:
Internal Medicine
Residency:
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
Zachary D. Crees
Hometown: Billings, Montana
Education:
University of Colorado, Denver, BS, Biology
Specialty:
Internal Medicine
Residency:
Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri
Troy J. Curtis
Hometown:
Education:
Specialty:
Residency:
Freeport, Illinois
Augustana College, BA, Biology
Family Medicine
University of Colorado School of Medicine-Denver, Aurora, Colorado
Emily N. Eckerstrom
Hometown: Spring Grove, Illinois
Education:
Illinois State University, BS, Biology
Specialty:
Family Medicine
Residency:
Mercy Health System, Janesville, Wisconsin
Jennifer E. Girard
Hometown: Rochester Hills, Michigan
Education:
University of Michigan, BS, Chemical Engineering
University of Pennsylvania, MSE, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Specialty:
Internal Medicine
Residency:
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
David H. Gordon
Hometown: Highland Park, Illinois
Education:
University of Maryland, BA, Biology
Georgetown University, MS, Physiology
Specialty:
Emergency Medicine
Residency:
University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland
Ellen R. Gordon
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Education:
Tufts University, BA, Biopsychology
Specialty:
Family Medicine
Residency:
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison,
Wisconsin
Alexis J. Gumm
Hometown: Girard, Illinois
Education:
Culver-Stockton College, BS, Biological Chemistry
Specialty:
Pediatrics
Residency:
University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, Wisconsin
Anthony E. Hammond
Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska
Education:
Illinois State University, BS, Biological Sciences
Specialty:
Emergency Medicine
Residency:
Case Western/University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Gary Huang
Hometown:
Education:
Specialty:
Residency:
Mercer Island, Washington
Johns Hopkins University, BS, Cellular & Molecular Biology
Otolaryngology
Case Western/University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Laura K. Hulteen
Hometown: Sterling, Illinois
Education:
Augustana College, BA, Pre-Medical Studies, Biology
Specialty:
Pediatrics
Residency:
St. Louis Children’s Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri
Carrie G. Johnson
Hometown: Pittsfield, Illinois
Education:
Olivet Nazarene University, BS, Biology
Specialty:
Internal Medicine/Pediatrics
Residency:
University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky
Shawn C. Joseph
Hometown: Naperville, Illinois
Education:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, BS, Psychology
Specialty:
Emergency Medicine
Residency:
University of Illinois/St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria, Illinois
Joshua J. Kannankeril
Hometown: Tinley Park, Illinois
Education:
University of Illinois at Chicago, BS, Biological Sciences; BA, Chemistry
Specialty:
Internal Medicine
Residency:
Medical College of Wisconsin and Affiliated Hospitals, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Shayan Khazaei
Hometown: Tethron, Iran
Education:
Loyola University, BS, Molecular Biology
Specialty:
Neurology
Residency:
Einstein/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
Kevin B. Kilgallon
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Education:
Washington University in St. Louis, BS, Biomedical Engineering
Specialty:
Pediatrics
Residency:
Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
Bryan J. Kratz
Hometown: Mundelein, Illinois
Education:
Lake Forest College, BA, Chemistry
Specialty:
Anesthesiology
Residency:
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois
Jennah E. LaHood
Hometown: Peoria, Illinois
Education:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, BS, Molecular & Cellular Biology
Specialty:
Family Medicine
Residency:
Northwestern McGaw, Northwestern Memorial Hospital/VA, Chicago, Illinois
Eric A. Leslie
Hometown:
Education:
Specialty:
Residency:
San Diego, California
Northwestern University, BA, Mathematics & Economics
Emergency Medicine
Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California
Krystyna M. Majkut
Hometown: Bartlett, Illinois
Education:
Loyola University, BS, Biology
Specialty:
Internal Medicine
Residency:
St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
Bridgette K. Martinak
Hometown: Algonquin, Illinois
Education:
Washington University in St. Louis, BA, Chemistry, Psychology
Specialty:
Psychiatry
Residency:
University of Alabama Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama
Bryan A. Mendes
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Education:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, BS, Molecular Biology
Specialty:
Child Neurology
Residency:
St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
Lindsay M. Meurer
Hometown: Ashton, Illinois
Education:
Illinois State University, BS, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology
Specialty:
Internal Medicine
Residency:
Case Western/University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Karissa L. Monney
Hometown: Oreana, Illinois
Education:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, BS, Molecular & Cellular Biology
Specialty:
Family Medicine
Residency:
Hinsdale Hospital, Hinsdale, Illinois
Brittany N. Montavon
Hometown: Mendota, Illinois
Education:
Marquette University, BS, Biomedical Sciences
Specialty:
Pediatrics
Residency:
St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
Jacob Robert Moore
Hometown: Belvidere, Illinois
Education:
University of Iowa, BA, Pre-Medical Studies, Business Management
Specialty:
Emergency Medicine
Residency:
University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
Louisa W. Ng
Hometown:
Education:
Specialty:
Residency:
Chicago, Illinois
University of Illinois at Chicago, BS, Biology, Psychology; BA, Economics
Emergency Medicine
University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
Najeem T. Ojulari
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Education:
University of Chicago, BA, Psychology
Specialty:
Emergency Medicine
Residency:
University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri
Andrew J. Peterson
Hometown: Bath, Illinois
Education:
University of Iowa, BA, Health Promotion
University of Illinois at Springfield, MPH, Public Health
Specialty:
Family Medicine
Residency:
University Hospitals, Columbia, Missouri
Eric S. Pittman
Hometown: Beloit, Wisconsin
Education:
University of California, San Diego, BS, Physiology & Neuroscience
Specialty:
General Surgery
Residency:
Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California
Kalysa R. Porter
Hometown: Rochester, Illinois
Education:
Butler University, BS, Biological Science
University of Illinois School of Public Health, MPH
Specialty:
Anesthesiology
Residency:
Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Rochester, Minnesota
Sean P. Rajnic
Hometown: Wheaton, Illinois
Education:
Loyola University, BS, Biology, Mathematics
Specialty:
Preliminary Surgery
Residency:
Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
Scott E. Resnick
Hometown: Highland Park, Illinois
Education:
Cornell University, BA, Economics
Specialty:
Pediatrics
Residency:
Case Western/University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Maria F. Saavedra
Hometown: Lake in the Hills, Illinois
Education:
Loyola University, BS, Biology
Specialty:
Internal Medicine/Pediatrics
Residency:
University of Illinois/St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria, Illinois
Taylor A. Stanton
Hometown: Warrenton, Virginia
Education:
Earlham College, BA, Biochemistry
Specialty:
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Residency:
University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
Mina F. Tanaka
Hometown: Skokie, Illinois
Education:
University of California, Los Angeles, BA, Comparative Literature
Columbia University, MPH, Public Health
Specialty:
Internal Medicine
Residency:
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts (Medicine-Primary)
Amber R. Thompson
Hometown: Lake Zurich, Illinois
Education:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, BS, Psychology
Specialty:
Psychiatry
Residency:
University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
Kelley J. Williams
Hometown: Fairfield, Illinois
Education:
Saint Louis University, BS, Biology
Specialty:
Internal Medicine
Residency:
Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems, Richmond, Virginia
Joshua D. Wiseman
Hometown: Riverdale, Utah
Education:
Eastern Illinois University, BA, Chemistry
Specialty:
Anesthesiology
Residency:
University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
A national medical honor society, the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society, was
founded at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1902. Its purpose is to recognize and
perpetuate excellence in the medical profession. Members are elected on the basis of scholarship,
personal character and potential leadership. The following students were elected to AOA:
Vanina M. Chavarri
Zachary D. Crees
Jennifer E. Girard
Lindsay M. Meurer
Taylor A. Stanton
Mina F. Tanaka
Students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement earn the distinction of
Graduation with Honors. Honors graduates are selected College-wide based on academic
performance throughout their four years of medical school. The students below achieved such
recognition:
Vanina M. Chavarri
Zachary D. Crees
Jennifer E. Girard
Laura K. Hulteen
Carrie G. Johnson
Lindsay M. Meurer
Taylor A. Stanton
Mina F. Tanaka
Students selected for membership in the Gold Humanism Honor Society exhibit outstanding
humanism in medicine and integrity as medical students. The Gold Foundation defines
humanism as “encompassing those attitudes and behaviors that emanate from a deep sensitivity
and respect for others.” Congratulations to the members of the Class of 2015 who have achieved
this selection:
Sheila Z. Chang
Zachary D. Crees
Jennifer E. Girard
Joshua J. Kannankeril
Lindsay M. Meurer
Maria F. Saavedra
Taylor A. Stanton
Mina F. Tanaka
Additional awards were presented at Senior Banquet on Friday, April 24.
Mina Tanaka received the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, Arnold P. Gold Foundation. This award
recognizes a medical student who embodies the finest qualities of humanism in medicine:
positive mentoring, compassion, collaboration, tolerance, sensitivity, community service and
observance of professional ethics.
The Granville A. Bennett Award was presented to Maria F. Saavedra. The student body of the
college established this award in 1968 in the name of Dr. Granville A. Bennett, professor of
pathology, who served with distinction as dean of the College of Medicine. The award is
presented to a senior student who has made significant contributions to medical education.
Andrew J. Peterson received the Dr. Gary Button Rural Primary Care Medicine Award.
This award is named in memory of Dr. Gary Button, a graduate of the medical school
and family practice residency program in Rockford. Dr. Button was a well-known family
physician in Harvard, Illinois, and a faculty member in the department of family and
community medicine and the Rural Medical Education (RMED) program. The award
is given to a student who exhibits the qualities and characteristics of Dr. Button, is
dedicated to a career in primary care, and committed to practicing in a rural community.
The Raymond Zbick Memorial Award, established by friends of the late Dr. Raymond Zbick,
was presented to Kalysa R. Porte for excellence in anesthesiology.
Jennifer E. Girard received the Outstanding Performance on the Surgery Clerkship award in
recognition for outstanding performance on surgery. Sean P. Rajnic received the Outstanding
Performance on Surgery. Among Students Choosing a Surgical Career, which recognizes a
senior, who is choosing a surgical specialty, for outstanding performance on the surgery
clerkship.
The Dr. Assir Daniel DaSilva Scholarship, established in memory of Dr. Assir Daniel DaSilva, a
Class of 2000 College of Medicine at Rockford graduate, who was killed while doing an
international elective in Brazil his senior year, was given to Kevin Kilgallon. Kevin exemplifies
Dan’s outgoing personality and sense of humor, intellectual curiosity, dedication to medicine,
sensitivity to patients, and his appreciation for diversity.
The Major Thomas F. Koritz MD Memorial Scholarship, established in memory of Dr. Thomas
Koritz, a Class of 1979 College of Medicine at Rockford graduate, who was killed in action in
the Persian Gulf War, was given to Mary H. Ayers. Selected as a third-year student, Mary
participated in a four-week medical clerkship at the Edinburgh Medical School in Edinburgh,
Scotland, during her senior year.
Jennifer E. Girard was given the Tom C. Reeves Memorial Award, established in memory of
Tom C. Reeves, who died in his sophomore year of medical school. This award recognizes an
outstanding classmate who demonstrates promise for excellence in the medical profession.
The Winnebago County Medical Society Award, was presented by Christopher M. Gibbs, MD,
President, to Jacob R. Moore. This award is in recognition of Jacob’s demonstrated desire and
ability to integrate patient care with community service, and shown an interest in taking an active
role in organized medicine.
Department Awards were also given.
For Family Medicine, the Dr. L. P. Johnson Scholarship was presented by Farion R. Williams,
MD, Professor of Clinical Family Medicine, to Troy J. Curtis. This scholarship, in honor of Dr.
LeBaron Paul Johnson, is presented to a fourth year medical student at the College of Medicine
at Rockford who, during the second and third years of study, has shown interest and achievement
in family medicine.
Andrew J. Peterson was the recipient of the Outstanding Performance in Family Medicine Award
for outstanding performance on the family medicine clerkship.
In the Department of Medicine, the Charles Spencer Williamson Award was presented by Alex
S. Stagnaro-Green, MD, MHPE, Regional Dean, to Lindsay M. Meuer. Established by the
faculty and friends of the late Dr. Charles Spencer Williamson, long-time head of the department
of medicine, the award is presented to a senior student for excellence in medicine.
The Excellence in Obstetrics and Gynecology Award, in the Department of Obstetrics &
Gynecology, was presented by Timothy J. Durkee, MD, Chair and Associate Professor of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, to Taylor A. Stanton for excellence in the field of obstetrics and
gynecology.
In the Department of Pathology, the Otto Saphir Memorial Scholarship was presented by Gary L.
Anderson, MD ’79, Chair and Associate Professor of Clinical Pathology, to Carrie G. Johnson.
Friends of the late Dr. Otto Saphir, Clinical Professor of Pathology, established this award to
recognize a junior student who has shown outstanding interest and excellence in pathology.
The Donald H. Wortmann Pediatric Award, in the Department of Pediatrics was presented to
Sheila Z. Chang by David E. Deutsch, MD ’89, Chair and Associate Professor of Clinical
Pediatrics, in memory of Dr. Donald Wortmann in recognition of Sheila’s excellence in
pediatrics.
In the Department of Psychiatry, the David Mortimer Olkon Scholarship was presented by
Raymond C. Garcia, MD ’94, Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, in memory of Dr.
David Mortimer Olkon, to Amber R. Thompson for excellence in psychiatry.
David H. Gordon was the recipient of the Surgery Department’s Excellence in Emergency
Medicine Award for for excellence in the field of emergency.
Faculty did not go unrecognized. The Golden Apple Faculty Teaching Awards, chosen by the
Class of 2015, to recognize faculty for their excellence in teaching, were given to:
Pathology, M2 Year
Gary L. Anderson, MD ‘79
Chair and Associate Professor of Clinical Pathology
Department of Pathology
Clinical Clerkship, M3 Year
Errol C. Baptist, MD
Clinical Professor
Department of Pediatrics
Clinical Clerkship, M4 Year
Geoffrey Tsaras, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine
Department of Medicine
Primary Care Experience
Mary Jo Ironside, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Family Medicine
Department of Family and Community Medicine
Master of Science in Medical Biotechnology Candidates
With hometown, education, mentor and project title
Souresh Banerjee
Hometown: West Bengal, India
Education:
National Institute of Technology, India, B.Tech, Biotechnology
Mentor:
Gnanasekar Munirathinam, PhD
Project Title: Therapeutic Effects of Dehydroleucodine on Prostate Cancer
Alexander Behling
Hometown: Belvidere, Illinois
Education:
St. Ambrose University, BS, Exercise Science
Internship Site: Kerry Ingredients & Flavours
Project Title: Kerry Group Cell Nutrition R & D Internship: Studies on Media and Supplements
for Cell Culture
Aayush Bhoraskar
Hometown: Ujjain, India
Education:
University of Pune, India, B.Tech, Biotechnology
Internship Site: Rockford Cardiovascular Associates
Project Title: A Study in Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials
Damon Epling
Hometown: Machesney Park, Illinois
Education:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, BS, Molecular and Cellular Biology
Mentor:
Ryan Bomgarden, PhD
Project Title: A Click-and-Release Resin for Purification of Azide Containing Molecules through
an Acid Cleavable Alkyne Linkage
Shivesh Ghura
Hometown: New Delhi, India
Education:
Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, India, BE, Biotechnology
Mentor:
Mary Jo LaDu, PhD
Project Title: An In Vitro Study to Validate Plant-derived Extracts as Potential Therapeutics for
Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s Disease: Modulation by APOE
Kymberly Harrington
Hometown: New Lenox, Illinois
Education:
The University of Chicago, BA, Biology
Mentor:
Joel Pekow, MD
Project Title: The Role of the Tumor Suppressor, miR-4728-3p, in Ulcerative Colitis-associated
Neoplasia
Shwetha Kadam
Hometown: Bangalore, India
Education:
Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, MBBS
Mentor:
Andre Balla, MD, PhD
Project Title: The Effect of Dietary Cadmium on Tumor Levels of Translationally Controlled
Tumor Protein (TCTP) RNA and Protein Expression
Steven Knutson
Hometown: Arlington Heights, Illinois
Education:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, BS, Molecular and Cellular Biology,
Minor-Chemistry
Mentor:
Surbhi Desai, PhD
Project Title: A Fluorescent Antibody-Drug Conjugate for Molecular Imaging and Targeted
Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer
Megha Patel
Hometown:
Education:
Mentor:
Project Title:
Ahmedabad, India
Saurashtra University, B.Pharm, Pharmacy
Mathew T. Mathew, PhD
Fretting Corrosion Behavior of Mixed-Metal Contacts at Modular Junction as a
Function of pH and Load
Radhika Patel
Hometown: Surat, India
Education:
Sardar Patel University, MSc, Biotechnology
Mentor:
John Nitiss, PhD
Project Title: Cellular Responses to Topoisomerase-Induced DNA Damage
Supriya Rajanna
Hometown: Bangalore, India
Education:
M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology, BE, Biotechnology
Mentor:
Neelu Puri, PhD
Project Title: Mechanism of TKI Resistance and Role of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition in
Inducing Resistance in Melanoma
Ichwaku Rastogi
Hometown: Lucknow, India
Education:
M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology, BE, Biotechnology
Mentor:
Neelu Puri, PhD
Project Title: Mechanism of TKI Resistance and Role of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition in
Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Alex Schmitt
Hometown: Rockford, Illinois
Education:
The University of Iowa, BS, Genetics and Biotechnology
Internship Site:
Rockford Cardiovascular Associates
Project Title: Electrophysiology Internship Experience at Rockford Cardiovascular Associates: A
Comparison of Invasive Treatments for Atrial Fibrillation
Madhuwanti Srinivasan
Hometown: Chennai, India
Education:
Sathyabama University, B.Tech, Biotechnology
Mentor:
Gnanasekar Munirathinam, PhD
Project Title: Yichun Blue Honeysuckle – Antioxidant Activity and its Mechanistic Study
Luke Wojdyla
Hometown: Eligin, Illinois
Education:
University of Illinois at Springfield, BS, Chemistry, Biology
Mentor:
Neelu Puri, PhD
Project Title: Mechanism of Action and Therapeutic Potential of Telomere Homolog
Oligonucleotides in Melanoma
Prithvi Yarlagadda
Hometown: Vijayawada, India
Education:
K.L. University, B. Tech, Biotechnology
Mentor:
Vijayasaradhi Setaluri, PhD
Project Title: MITF Regulated MiRNA Promoter Cloning
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