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Conor Smith '23 interned at University of Maryland
Conor Smith ’23 interned with the University of Maryland’s Cardiothoracic Xenotransplantation Program, where experts study the use of genetically modified pig hearts to replace failing hearts. He was the only high school student that interned with the team over summer 2022. As part of the experience, Conor observed 14 surgeries performed in the lab including a pig to baboon transplant.
This Cardiac Transplantation team at the UMMC performed a transplant of the genetically modified pig heart into a human patient on January 7, 2022. Dr. Muhammed Mohiuddin, MBBS, Professor of Surgery and Director of the Cardiac Xenotransplantation program in the Department of Surgery at the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine led the team.
Conor’s Capstone Project is about Cardiothoracic Xerotransplantation and living in a world without high transplant lists. His focus is on three areas: Immunology; surgical procedures, the clinical trials and lab studies of baboon; and why is this needed. Dr. Mohiuddin is one of Conor’s expert references and a mentor to him.
“This internship tested my mental toughness. It proved to me that medicine is right for me.”
Conor plans to major in Biology for his undergraduate studies followed by medical school. He wants to specialize in cardiothoracic surgery.
In additional to being a McMullen Scholar, Conor is a member of the It’s Academic team, Secretary for the Science National Honor Society and the Competition Marching Band where he plays the tuba and baritone saxophone. He is also involved in our theater program helping with set design. Conor works part-time at the Brothers’ residence.
