Medical Student
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Austin Coppinger, BA, is a third-year medical student at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He is currently conducting research utilizing machine learning techniques to identify risk factors for HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer, with particular focus on sex-based differences in disease incidence. His work analyzes Massachusetts public health data from 2001 to 2022, employing multiple machine learning models to guide targeted interventions for cancer prevention and early detection. Austin has also contributed to case study research documenting rare COVID-19 complications in otolaryngology, including acute laryngotracheitis with severe airway compromise in adults.
Throughout his medical education, Austin has developed a strong interest in surgical outcomes research and quality improvement initiatives, particularly focused on head and neck procedures. His research interests span both population health approaches to cancer prevention and clinical case studies that inform best practices in ENT emergency management.
Prior to medical school, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Rhode Island. At Brown, he serves as a mentor for first-year medical students in the clinical skills doctoring program and participates in the Rhode Island Medical Navigator Partnership to improve healthcare access. His community engagement includes organizing health fairs for unhoused populations and teaching medical concepts to middle and high school students. Austin is an active member of the Student Research Advisory Committee, where he helps foster research opportunities for his peers. Outside of medicine, Austin enjoys outdoor activities including bicycling and snowboarding.