UC DAVIS HEALTH

“This program is a grassroots effort to develop a sustainable research experience for undergraduate students and give them experience with surgeons who are changing the face of surgery through their research. We hope to inspire young minds to contribute to science and encourage them as they look at the medical field for their future, and there is no greater specialty than surgery.”

- Dr. Misty Humphries

RESURG (Research Experience in Surgery) is a selective clinical research internship based in the UC Davis Medical Center's Department of Surgery. Studies that we are working on range from the topics of critical limb ischemia, stem cell research, and trauma. As a RESURG Clinical Research Assistant with RESURG, you will learn about and engage in clinical research, work with clinicians, observe surgical procedures, and gain valuable professional skills. You will be responsible for a number of tasks including, but not limited to, data collection, surveying patients, and assessment of research projects as a whole.

We are looking for individuals who are driven, hardworking, creative, and effective communicators. This is a rigorous program that offers unique mentorship opportunities with experienced researchers and clinicians. Our goal is to train competent research professionals and to further students’ individual professional and educational goals.

Sutures vs. Staples: An analysis of Wound Closure Methods for Knee Amputations
Research Classification: Retrospective
Principal Investigator: Mimmie Kwong, MD & Matthew Mell, MD (co-PI)
Research Assistants: Avni Suri (Lead); Leo Andrada (Lead)
This research study compares the post-operative outcomes and closure techniques of both below-the-knee and above-the-knee amputations. Data is currently being collected through EMR.

Improving Access to Care for Trauma Patients
Research Classification: Prospective Human Subjects
Principal Investigator: Joseph Galante
Co-Principal Investigator: Marguerite Spruce
Research Assistants: Anastasiya Ivanko (Lead) & Kevin Dinh
The study aims to improve access to primary care services amongst trauma patients via inpatient counseling with or without referral to a free UC Davis student-run clinic to manage a chronic condition. The project is currently screening and enrolling patients for the study.

Time of Arterial Testing Affects Outcomes for Patients with Lower Extremity Wounds
Research Classification: Retrospective
Principal Investigator: Misty Humphries, MD
Research Assistants: Angela Aguirre (Lead), Kritika Sharma, & Aman Arora
The study aims to establish a benchmark for time to evaluation and time to treatment for patients with lower extremity wounds. The study is currently collecting benchmark data through EMR.

Patient Engagement and Outcomes for Vascular Conditions
Research Classification: Retrospective
Research Classification: Misty Humphries, MD
Research Assistants: Amber Solt (current Lead), Marc Friedman (previous Lead)
The aim of this study is to determine how patient activation affects outcomes for patients with vascular disease. The project is currently screening and enrolling patients for the study.

Understanding Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Research Classification: Retrospective
Principal Investigator: Misty Humphries, MD
Research Assistants: Matthew Kim (Lead)
The aim of this study is to identify factors associated with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and develop treatment algorithms for patients with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Database of Surgical and Oncologic Outcomes for Liver and Pancreas Surgical Oncology Patients
Research Classification: Retrospective
Principal Investigator: Sepideh Gholami, MD
Research Assistants: Alexis Chirco (Lead)
The study aims to track surgical and oncologic outcomes for liver and pancreas cases for the UC Davis surgical oncology department.

Magnesium Infusion for Pain Management in Critically Ill Trauma Patients
Research Classification: Prospective, Clinical Trial
Principal Investigator: Christine Cocanour, MD
Research Assistants: Gabrielle Echt
The study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of continuous, intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate as compared to placebo n decreasing pain in critically injured patients.

Investigating the role of Timing in Post-Operative Ankle/Toe Brachial Index
Research Classification: Retrospective
Principal Investigator: Mimmie Kwong, MD
Research Assistants: Christina Brown (Lead)
The study aims to determine if there is an appropriate time to conduct an Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) exam after a patient has experienced a vascular intervention for infrainguinal arterial occlusive disease. This determination will aid in establishing guidelines for when an ABI exam should be conducted after surgery.

Outcomes of Surgery in COVID-19 Infection: An International Cohort Study
Research Classification: Prospective
Principal Investigator: Rachael Callcut, MD
Research Assistants: Avni Suri (Lead)
The study aims to analyze the surgical outcomes for patients who are diagnosed with COVID-19 perioperatively, with a primary predictor being 30-day mortality.

Characterization of the Melanoma-Specific Immune Response
Research Classification: Prospective, Clinical Trial
Principal Investigator: Amanda Kirane, MD
Research Assistants: Kevin Ly (Lead), Matthew Kim
The studies aim is to test the effects of a melanoma treatment, neoadjuvant Talimogene laherparepvec (or T-VEC) on high-risk melanoma patients who obtained poor outcomes with standard-of-care treatments.

Please download the RESURG PI Resource Request Form HERE and return the completed application to hs-resurg@ucdavis.edu.

The positions listed below are all UNPAID internships that will require weekly commutes to the UC Davis Medical Center. All of RESURG’s internship positions have a time commitment of 8 hours per week for 3 consecutive quarters. If accepted into the program, a mandatory 2-hour class will be required as part of the 8-hour requirement in the first quarter of the program.  

Research Assistant

The RESURG Research Assistant (RA) will perform the following duties/tasks/responsibilities: RESURG program support, Department of Surgery research support, designated research and project leadership (if applicable), education, mentorship, clinical observation, and general compliance. This position provides the RA with the following experiences and opportunities: 1) education and experience in clinical research and 2) personal and professional development through mentorship."

Data Specialist

The RESURG Data Specialist (DS) position works extensively with REDCap to provide assistance to Research Assistants and Department of Surgery faculty. This position provides the DS with the following experiences and opportunities: 1) experience in clinical research with a focus through Information Technology and 2) personal and professional development through mentorship.

Trauma Research Assistant

UCDMC has many clinical studies being conducted under the Trauma Service. An RA in this position would be trained in proper documentation of IRB documents, and assist in screening and data entry for many of the studies.
**This position is ideal for someone interested in exploring the wide scope of clinical research studies, since Trauma Surgery is one of the fields which involves operations throughout the entire body.**

Vascular Research Assistant

UCDMC has many clinical studies being conducted under the Vascular Service. An RA in this position would be trained in proper documentation of IRB documents, and assist in screening and data entry for many of the studies. This position is an unpaid internship created to provide the RA with the following experiences and opportunities: 1) education and experience in clinical research and 2) personal and professional development through mentorship.
**This position is ideal for someone interested in exploring the wide scope of clinical research studies**

Current
Angela Aguirre - RESURG Supervising Officer
Anastasiya Ivanko - RESURG Regulatory and Compliance Officer
Avni Suri - RESURG Education & Training Officer
Amber Solt - Research Assistant
Matthew Kim - Data Specialist/Research Assistant
Christina Brown - Research Assistant
Andrea Sommer - Research Assistant
Kritika Sharma - Research Assistant
Alexis Chirco - Research Assistant
Kevin Ly - Research Assistant
Anya Guzman - Trauma Research Assistant
Ashley Truong - Data Specialist
Elias Jbeily - Research Assistant
Taylor Silva - Research Assistant
Amanda Aquilio - Research Assistant
Shyama Chaganti - Research Assistant
Rafael Ricon - Research Assistant
Naomi Cinque - Vascular Research Assistant
Ryan Nguyen - Vascular Research Assistant
Bryan Kuo - Data Specialist

Past
Leo Andrada - Research Assistant; Admin
Leon Gilligan-Steinberg - Research Assistant; Admin
Kevin Dinh - Research Assistant; Admin
Gabrielle Echt - Research Assistant

RESURG Fall 2020 Recruitment

Fall 2020 applications are now closed. Please email hs-resurg@ucdavis.edu if you have any questions about recruitment.

Our vision is to promote, develop, and train students to become competent research professionals, while mentoring them in their professional and educational goals.

	"My biggest takeaway from RESURG is learning how to communicate in a professional manner with physicians residents, faculty, and other research assistants. It helped me hone in many of my interpersonal skills important for health profession work, and it’s given me many opportunities to shadow physicians too. I’d say my favorite thing by far, excluding all the amazing people in the program, is the mentorship I have received. I’ve grown a lot as a person and as a student through their advice. I’m really grateful for everyone in RESURG and I’ll continue to put my best work into the program.” - Matthew Kim UC Davis Undergraduate
	"RESURG has helped me grow through mentorship, leadership development, research experience, and exposure to clinical medicine and surgery. My experiences in RESURG have helped me gain valuable professional skills and have guided me to make an informed and confident decision to pursue a career in medicine.” - Leo Andrada, B.S
	"RESURG deepened my understanding of the ethics underlying human subjects research and introduced me to the workflow of clinical research. The opportunities for patient interaction tested my ability to make decisions off limited and imperfect information. RESURG offered a encouraging and supportive environment to develop the skills necessary as a physician that I'll take with me to medical school.” - Kevin Dinh, B.S.
	"RESURG has allowed me to explore my curiosity in clinical research, deepen my understanding of ethical practices, authenticate my aspirations of becoming a physician, and develop my personal, professional, and team working skills. The incredible amount of mentorship and opportunity to experience clinical research in this internship has created a strong foundation for me to carry onto my job as a Jr. Specialist in the Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine here at UC Davis Medical Center!” - Gabrielle Echt, B.S.
	"RESURG has allowed me to be involved in the direct connection between research, patients, investigators, and other professionals. I was able to partake in the start and progression of a project, as well as oversee other research being done in the department, which has led me to develop the skills and confidence needed to continue working in clinical research as a Jr. Specialist. The knowledge, experience, mentorship, and support that I received during my time with RESURG has me excited for my future career in surgery and research." - Anastasiya Ivanko, B.S.