Pitt scored a top 10 finish in its first National Bioethics Bowl

A University of Pittsburgh team finished in ninth place at the National Bioethics Bowl on April 13 at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. It was the first time Pitt appeared in the competition.

The team consisted of eight undergraduates: Keegan Blain, Gabe Fosdick, Sierra Gillis, Harsh Hiwase, Jui-En (Ray) Lee, Tiffany Lee, Aditya Madupur and Matt Tang. Their coach and advisor is Cindy McCarthy, director of the Bioethics Certificate in Pitt’s School of Public Health.

The competition team prepared stances over three months to 14 controversial bioethics cases, aided by non-traveling club members Fayrooz Abelkadeer, Mahmood Abelkadeer, Bela Duga and Stella Ross. Additionally, faculty members Daniel Wilkenfeld, Grant Martsolf and Jonathan Fuller along with four doctoral students provided feedback and sparred with the undergraduates to help flush out their arguments.

The team’s travel was supported by the School of Public Health, the David C. Frederick Honors College and the Student Organization Research Center.

— Nick France, photo courtesy of Cindy McCarthy