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BIDDEFORD, Maine

UNE medical students honored for research and leadership

Aerial image of UNE's Biddeford Campus
Samantha Kobald (D.O., ’26) and Jared Erb (D.O., ’26) have both received awards from the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Two medical students in the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine have recently received awards recognizing their outstanding contributions to research and student leadership within the college.

Samantha Kobald (D.O., ’26) has been named the College of Osteopathic Medicine 2024 Student Researcher of the Year. Kobald entered medical school with an extensive research background and has since expanded her work in oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Duke University Medical Center. Her contributions to the research on breast cancer treatment earned her the Peter Morgane Research Fellowship. With over 10 peer-reviewed publications and numerous conference presentations, Kobald has demonstrated a commitment to advancing patient care through innovative research.

The Student of Year Award Committee stated, Kobald is “destined to become an accomplished and compassionate osteopathic physician-scientist.”

Jared Erb (D.O., ’26) has been selected as the College of Osteopathic Medicine 2024 Student Doctor of the Year. As president of the Class of 2026, Erb has been a strong advocate for D.O. parity and patient access to care. He organized COM's largest Mock Mass Casualty Event, collaborating with over 100 participants from various professional groups and community organizations. The event's success has led to plans for its incorporation into the curriculum.

Erb's leadership extends to several student organizations, including the World Association of Disaster and Emergency Medicine at UNE’s medical school. He has also contributed 110 hours of community service since December 2022, working with programs such as the Portland Needle Exchange and Special Surfers, a non-profit that helps teach surfing to children and young adults with special needs.

Both students will represent UNE in national competitions for their respective awards.

Samantha Kobald (Dunn), D.O. '26

Samantha Kobald (D.O. ’26)

Jared Erb, D.O. '26

Jared Erb (D.O. ’26)

Media Contact

Emme Demmendaal
Office of Communications
edemmendaal@une.edu

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.