Volunteer Research Opportunities at the Joseph E. Robert Jr., Center for Surgical Care

The Division of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine has several ongoing clinical research projects in the areas of pain medicine, cardiac anesthesiology and education. These include randomized controlled trials, retrospective chart reviews and larger multi-center studies evaluating medications and perioperative anesthetic techniques in the pediatric population. In addition to this, the division participates in several national collaborative groups, including the Pediatric Difficult Airway Registry, the Pediatric Craniofacial Collaborative Group, the Pediatric Regional Anesthesia Network and the Congenital Cardiac STS database.

Individuals who are interested in the observership/research experience should visit the Division of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine page.

Please contact the research coordinator, Tiffani A. DeFreitas, for more information.

The Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition is currently run by physicians, fellows, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. In addition, the Division has its own psychologist and dietitian. Aside from doing an excellent job serving patients, the team has a strong inclination for clinical research. Their diverse interests have built a strong network of research areas with several clinical research projects. You will find your future project with us from any of the research areas below:

Complete the application and contact the research coordinator, Sheikh A Rahman, M.B.B.S., M.P.H., for more information.

The Division of General and Thoracic Surgery has current research interests that are mainly divided into three directions:

• The application of novel devices and technologies in surgical practice
• The outcomes analysis of the surgical procedures, such as gastroesophageal reflux, chest wall deformities, complex esophageal and intestinal procedures, pancreatic, inflammatory bowel disease and hepatobiliary
• Childhood solid tumors and immune-therapeutic vaccine therapy

Also, our department is interested in analyzing big data in population-based data and in related individuals. We collaborate with both intramural and extramural scientists to apply the most effective statistical methods to analyze emerging data sets with complex data structures or data sources. Our goal is to gain a better understanding of the roles of observation and intervention in the preservation of diseases and effectively improving the abilities of prediction in the diseases.

Complete the application and contact the research coordinator, Yan Kang, for more information.

The Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine has a wide range of research being conducted across an array of subspecialties and interests for the orthopaedic attending surgeons. The projects include prospective clinical studies on surgical outcomes and infection risk, fracture follow up and care, retrospective analyses of at-risk populations, longitudinal studies of rare disease and an investigator sponsored trial for expanded use of an investigational new drug. Research internship positions often will help assist with data collection, study management and design, and eventual analysis and drafting abstracts, posters and manuscripts for publication. Our 13 research professionals are dedicated to the research and work hard to produce and maintain successful protocols. The areas of research interests include:

• ACL repair
• Bone health
• Clavicle
• Femur
• Foot
• Forearm fractures
• Hand
• Hip
• Neck fractures
• Spine
• Sports medicine

Complete the application and contact the research coordinator, Ariana Gonzalez, for more information.

The Division of Otolaryngology provides a diverse range of research being conducted across various specialties by board-certified, attending otolaryngologists. Covering the majority of the spectrum, while demonstrating basic, clinical and translational research, the studies aim to uncover the gaps and advance knowledge and treatment in the field of the ear, nose and throat. Topics range from hearing loss and airway all the way to vocal cords and voice in the form of retrospective, prospective and quality improvement studies. Those interested in applying will assist in mixture of duties including data collection and poster and manuscript creation.

Complete the application and contact the research coordinator, Hengameh Behzadpour, for more information.

The Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is comprised of three full-time pediatric plastic surgeons. Our research effort focuses on areas related to this subspecialty including craniofacial conditions and the outcomes related to surgical correction, congenital hand anomalies, wound healing and vascular anomalies. We currently have active research protocols for diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of craniosynostosis, management of Robin sequence and cleft care.

Complete the application and contact the research coordinator, Esperanza Mantilla-Rivas, M.D., for more information.

The Division of Urology has clinical and basic science research efforts that are organized into three distinct workgroups led by different members of our attending staff (i.e. Hans Pohl, M.D., Daniel Casella, M.D., and Michael Hsieh, Ph.D.)

• The Pohl clinical workgroup is interested in outcomes related to structural and functional abnormalities of the genitourinary tract, and studies prospective and retrospective cohorts of patients to better understand the roles of observation and intervention in the preservation of kidney function.
• The Casella basic science workgroup is interested in understanding innate immune response manipulation and ischemia reperfusion injury, the genetics of genital tubercle development and the genetic pathophysiology of hypospadias, and ultrasound mediated neuromodulation and its impact on bladder physiology.
• The Hsieh basic science workgroup is interested in how inflammation protects against pathogens and other noxious stimuli but paradoxically harms the host through secondary effects such as carcinogenesis, and seeks to better understand inflammation and harness its potential for human benefit.

Complete the application and contact the research coordinator, Bruce Sprague, for more information.