To fill an increasingly important need, the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine is welcoming a new assistant dean for student and resident research. Olivia Coiado, PhD, will develop more robust research opportunities and support for learners.
Dr. Coiado started on July 1. She will serve as the primary advisor regarding extracurricular research for medical students, graduate students, and residents. She will also collaborate with units across the college and develop partnerships both locally and globally to support our learner’s research endeavors.
“I’m very excited to join the team and there are so many things I can contribute from my background and expertise in research and medical education,” said Dr. Coiado. “I’m eager to get to know the students, faculty, and community and see what type of research projects they are working on and how we can expand and highlight their contributions.”
Dr. Coiado plans to spend her first months getting to know students and the greater college community so that she can better understand their needs. She hopes to act as a bridge to connect faculty and medical students, as well as a driver to bring more diversity and collaboration to our research programs.
To better support research efforts, Dr. Coiado anticipates a close relationship with students. With her mentorship, students will have the assistance they need to learn how to read data, work with methodology and citations, submit to journals, and more. Dr. Coiado points out that showcasing research is important when it comes time to apply for residency programs.
“That’s my main goal, to help them to become the best version of themselves, achieve great success in research, and confidently be able to showcase their accomplishments during their interviews,” said Dr. Coiado. “That will be immensely valuable for their careers as future doctors.”
Prior to starting this new position, Dr. Coiado served as director of student research within the Office of Research and Innovation at Carle Illinois College of Medicine. During her tenure at Carle Illinois, she held additional roles as a teaching associate professor and course director at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)’s Grainger College of Engineering. An expert in active learning and bioinstrumentation, she has been instrumental in teaching and designing innovative curricula, including developing several medical and biomedical ultrasound training courses.
In addition to her administrative and teaching roles, Dr. Coiado has a robust research background with interests in cardiovascular studies, acoustics, bioinstrumentation, medical devises, and medical and engineering education. She has published several journal articles in engineering, entrepreneurship, innovation, health and medical education, cardiovascular studies, and bioacoustics. For her excellence in leadership, Dr. Coiado has been recognized as a fellow of the Illinois Center for Leadership in Illinois at UIUC. She was also part of the KEEN Entrepreneurial Engineering Network Instructional Catalyst at the Academy for Excellence in Engineering Education.
Dr. Coiado says she fell in love with the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine’s community approach and the WSU Spokane campus right away. She is encouraged that college leadership is open to new ideas and ready to expand research programming through new curriculum, expanded collaboration, and events. She also brings her passion for mentorship and supporting student research in a learning environment that emphasizes leadership, curiosity, collaboration, and compassion.
“I aspire to be the kind of mentor who inspires students. My goal is to provide guidance, support, and encouragement, helping them navigate their academic and professional journeys,” said Dr. Coiado. “Everyone needs to have this type of support in their career.”