KISSIMMEE, Fla. – (Aug. 6, 2026) – To present their findings, research scientists assigned to Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) San Antonio’s Directed Energy Health Effects, Combat Casualty Care and Operational Medicine, and Craniofacial Health and Restorative Medicine directorates presented six scientific posters and five oral presentations during the 2026 Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS) held at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, Aug. 3-6.
The MHSRS brings together military, government, academia, and industry experts for four days of critical conversations and intensive idea sharing.
Presenters shared their latest research findings and challenges on topics including combat casualty care, military operational medicine, clinical and rehabilitative medicine, medical simulation and information sciences, military infectious diseases, and the radiation health effects.
Scientific posters presented by NAMRU San Antonio researchers ranged from distinctive muscular injury following near-infrared high-energy laser exposure to bilateral zygomatic fracture model for evaluation of resorbable fixation implants.
Oral presentations given ranged from integrating phage into endodontics for increased operational readiness: biofilm reduction and phage-sealer compatibility to 95 GHz radiofrequency energy elicits unique functional and molecular changes in immune and vascular endothelial cells.
According to NAMRU San Antonio’s Chief Science Director Darrin Frye, the mix of recognition, collaboration, inspiration, and education at MHSRS is exactly why attending matters.
“Attending MHSRS gives our junior and seasoned scientists alike well-earned recognition for the progress they've made, alongside something just as valuable — collaboration with the broader military health community, inspiration for the questions we'll chase next, and the chance to share their work with a global audience,” said Frye.
Scientific research is rewarding for scientists and crucial for NAMRU San Antonio Frye said.
“No amount of virtual technology can replace a handshake or a face-to-face conversation. At MHSRS, we renew friendships built over years and forge exciting new ones — connections shaped by today's priorities, emerging technologies, and geopolitical realities,” said Frye. “That camaraderie, and the shared energy of standing among people driven by the same sense of purpose, is what lets us build on scientific progress and carries us back to our research labs ready to do more."
A scientific poster presented by research scientists Tarea Burton and Andres Martinez Murillo earned third place honors for Poster Session Two titled, “The Ross M1 Sterilization Impact on the Emergency Reuse of Disposable Dental Instruments and 3D Printing Materials.” The team had the opportunity to brief the research to Rear Adm. Kevin Brown, commander, Naval Medical Forces Pacific, during the poster session.
As a part of Navy Medicine Research & Development, NAMRU San Antonio conducts gap-driven combat casualty care, craniofacial, and directed energy research in support of Navy, Marine Corps and joint U.S. warfighter health readiness and lethality while engaged in routine and expeditionary operations.
NAMRU San Antonio, located at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is one of the leading research and development laboratories for the U.S. Navy under the Department of War.
Navy Medicine’s 44,000+ talented and ready forces optimize health readiness, deliver quality healthcare, and provide global expeditionary medical support to warfighters.