RESURG: Research Experience in Surgery
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 rural health telemedicine, access to care for trauma patients, peripheral arterial disease, critical limb ischemia, bariatric surgery outcomes, and pediatric trials. As a member of RESURG, you will learn about and engage in clinical human subject research, work with clinicians, and gain valuable professional skills. You will be responsible for a number of tasks including, but not limited to, IRB project development, data collection, screening patients, surveying patients, and assessment of research projects. Mission Statement: Our vision is to promote, develop, and train students to become competent research professionals, while mentoring them in their professional and educational goals.
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“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 Program Director |
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Contact Information: For more information, please contact the RESURG Supervising Officer, Brian Luong:
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Project Assistance Request: Please download the RESURG PI Resource Request Form HERE and return the completed application to hs-resurg@ucdavis.edu.
Highlighted Current Projects
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Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Pregnancy
Research Classification: Retrospective
Principal Investigator: Victoria Lyo, M.D.
Research Assistants: Kanksha Koti, Charuthi Arul
Objective/Purpose:
This study is conducted to determine if the chronological sequencing of when bariatric surgery happens in relation to pregnancy has effects on the mother's body (during and after pregnancy) and the resulting child's development. The data gathered can be split into 2 main categories: patients who received bariatric surgery prior to pregnancy, and those who underwent bariatric surgery post-pregnancy. We will use the values indicated in their charts to identify how well patients responded to pregnancy post bariatric surgery as well as bariatric surgery post pregnancy. The data comparison will determine whether or not there is a significant impact on pregnancy pre- and post-bariatric surgery. -
Improving Surveillance for Patients with known Aortic Aneurysms (ILLUMINATE)
Research Classification: Retrospective
Principal Investigator: Misty Humphries, M.D.
Research Assistants: Emily Xu (Lead RA), Aida Mushell, Dena Sayrafi
Objective/Purpose:
Racial, gender, and ethnic minority groups less frequently receive screening but more frequently have aneurysms and worse outcomes with rupture and repair. Our study aims to improve surveillance for aneurysmal disease in these groups that could improve their outcomes on a population level. Using Natural Language Processing (NLP) software in conjunction with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) presents a unique opportunity to identify new aneurysms and patients who were previously lost to follow-up. Additionally, this software allows for the identification and surveillance of aneurysmal disease in patients who may not meet traditional screening criteria. -
Investigating the role of Timing in Post-Operative Ankle/Toe Brachial Index
Research Classification: Retrospective
Principal Investigator: Mimmie Kwong, M.D.
Research Assistants: Brian Luong (Lead)
Objective/Purpose:
This study’s objective is to investigate the following areas:
1) Investigate whether the ankle/toe brachial index changes over the course of the post-operative period.
2) Compare the differences in ankle/toe brachial index timing between patients who received open vascular and endovascular interventions.
3) Determine if there is an optimal time for obtaining a post-operative ankle/toe brachial index. -
Implementation of Telemedicine for patient with wounds and ulcers (K23)
Research Classification: Quality Improvement
Principal Investigator: Misty Humphries, M.D.
Research Assistants: Neha Gondra (Lead)
Objective/Purpose:
The K23 study is a quality improvement project assessing if telemedicine can improve the specialty care offered for new patients with wounds and ulcers due to peripheral artery disease (PAD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) at rural health clinics (RHC). The study aims to implement telemedicine consultations at RHCs, evaluate and improve the time to specialist evaluation/treatment ratio, and determine if telemedicine patients with lower levels of activation need more resources to get additional care. -
Improving Access to Primary Care for Trauma Patients (TAC)
Research Classification: Prospective
Principal Investigator: Joseph Galante, M.D. and Siobhan, Luce (co-PI)
Research Assistants: Srikar Shrikantham (Lead), Rafael Ricon, and Emily Xu
Objective/Purpose:
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. -
Effect of Prenatal Wildfire Exposure on Childhood Allergic Sensitization and Asthma Development
Research Classification: Retrospective
Principal Investigator: Anh Nguyen, M.D.
Research Assistants: Elisa Gonzalez
Objective/Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of prenatal wildfire air pollution on the development of asthma and allergic diseases (allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and food allergies) and whether exposure at different stages of pregnancy impact the incidence of these conditions.
The positions listed below are all unpaid internships that are completed remotely. 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.
All of the positions listed below will go through the same program training have the same general duties, such as RESURG program support, Department of Surgery research support, and designated research and project leadership (if applicable). All positions provide the intern with the following experiences and opportunities: 1) education and experience in clinical research and 2) personal and professional development through mentorship. Research Assistants can be placed on any divisions study and is dependent on need of the Department of Surgery. Pediatric Research Assistant work with RESURG to provide study assistance to the Department of Pediatrics. Meanwhile, a Data Specialist will work extensively with REDCap to assist Research Assistants and Department of Surgery faculty.
Currently Offered Positions:
- Research Assistant (RA)
- Pediatric Research Assistant (PRA)
- Data Specialist (DS)
Position Descriptions
- Research Assistant (applicable to RA and PRA)
- 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 (if available), 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.
- Pediatric Research Assistant (PRA)
- The RESURG Pediatric Research Assistant (PRA) predominately works on projects assigned by RESURG from the Department of Pediatrics. Additionally, their work will be managed directly by the Pediatric CRC’s and Jr. Specialists.
- 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 Database creation and management and 2) personal and professional development through mentorship.
Brian Luong – Supervising Officer – Lead Admin
Harshita Naidu – Onboarding Officer - Admin
Nithya Ganti – Regulatory and Compliance Officer - Admin
Neha Gondra – Education and Training Officer - Admin
Devin Martinez – Research Assistant
Emily Xu – Research Assistant
Alisa Tabaian – Data Specialist
Isabelle Schlegel – Onboarding Officer in Training
Julia Lee – Pediatric Research Assistant
Charuthi Arul – Senior Data Specialist
Aida Mushell – Research Assistant
Isha Suba – Data Specialist
Veena Arunkumar – Data Specialist
Matthew Jue – Research Assistant
Eva Moncada – Research Assistant
Kanksha Koti – Research Assistant - Public Relations RA
Liliana Figueroa – Data Specialist in Training
Jacob Youtsey – Pediatric Research Assistant in Training
Esin Demiray – Pediatric Research Assistant in Training
Jocelyn Livezey – Research Assistant in Training
Lawrence Cheung – Research Assistant in Training
Ariel Pham – Research Assistant in Training
Leo Andrada - Research Assistant - Admin
Leon Gilligan-Steinberg - Research Assistant - Admin
Kevin Dinh - Research Assistant - Admin
Angela Aguirre – Admin (Supervising Officer)
Anastasiya Ivanko – Admin
Amber Solt – Research Assistant
Marc Friedman – Research Assistant
Jerod Yee – Research Assistant
Alisia Do – Research Assistant
Avni Suri – Research Assistant – Admin (Supervising Officer)
Gabrielle Echt - Research Assistant
Christina Brown - Research Assistant – Admin
Matthew Kim – Senior Data Specialist
Andrea Sommer – Vascular Research Assistant – Admin (Supervising Officer)
Alexis Chirco - Research Assistant
Kritika Sharma – Research Assistant
Anya Guzman - Trauma Research Assistant
Kevin Ly – Research Assistant
Elias Jbeily - Research Assistant
Taylor Silva – Research Assistant
Ashley Truong – Data Specialist – Admin
Ryan Nguyen – Cardiothoracic Research Assistant – Admin
Rafael Ricon – Research Assistant – Admin
Naomi Cinque - Vascular Research Assistant
Amanda Aquilio – Research Assistant
Bryan Kuo – Data Specialist
Samveda Rukmangadhan – Research Assistant
Zilan Zheng – Senior Data Specialist
Anjani Patibandla – Research Assistant
Srikar Shrikantham – Trauma Research Assistant
Shyama Chaganti – Research Assistant
Jose Hernandez – Cardiothoracic Research Assistant
Elisa Gonzalez – Pediatric Research Assistant
Dena Sayrafi – Research Assistant
The RESURG Fall 2023 Application is now open! 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. Please contact us if you have any further questions regarding your eligibility.
Please click on this link to view the RESURG Fall 2023 Application Google Form.
Currently, we have 3 positions available:
1. Research Assistant(s)
2. Data Specialist(s)
3. Pediatric Research Assistant(s)
If accepted, students will be required to commit to at least three quarters (Winter 2024, Spring 2024, Summer 2024) for at least 8 hours per week. This is completed in two 4 hour time slots between 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Mondays-Fridays (tentative weekend options). RESURG is a mostly remote program and the majority of hours will be completed remotely.
Additionally, there will be mandatory 2 hour group training classes held weekly during Winter Quarter 2024; time to be disclosed upon acceptance. During the training in Winter Quarter 2024, students will be placed on a probationary period. Towards the conclusion of the training quarter, students will be re-interviewed to assess their learning and readiness for clinical research duties.
The DEADLINE for submitting this application is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, November 6, 2023. If selected, you will hear back from us between November 13 - November 15 and we will schedule an interview with you between November 18 - November 19. Interviews this application cycle will be conducted IN PERSON. More information will be provided to those offered an interview.
If you have any questions concerning this application or RESURG as a whole, please do not hesitate to email
HS-RESURG@ucdavis.edu and we will be happy to assist.
Philanthropy: Fostering the Future
Introduction
For the past three years, RESURG’s signature annual philanthropy event, Fostering the Future, has been a mainstay for our program. This is a two-day program that aims to provide underserved high school students in Sacramento County the opportunity to explore careers in the field of healthcare and learn valuable professional skills that will aid in fostering a successful future in healthcare careers. During this event, students will attend several workshops that promote professional development, building professional connections, and enhancing education about careers in healthcare, medicine, and clinical research. It is our goal and purpose to support students in successfully pursuing their goals and aspirations, and to ultimately, foster their future. This event was a huge success the past three years, and we are looking forward to hosting this event again for our 4th annual time at UC Davis Health Campus!
Event Details
This two-day event will take place in Summer 2024. This event will take place in-person at UC Davis Health in Sacramento.
Students can look forward to an exciting lineup of classes including an introduction to research, a medicine profession panel, an animal organ dissection, a simulation lab tour, a career fair panel, resume building, and much more!
How to Apply
Our Fostering the Future application cycle for high school students are currently closed. Please contact us for further details on our next annual event!
Contact Us
Email: resurg.davis@gmail.com
RESURG Newsletter
RESURG Newsletter Fall 2023 - (PDF)
RESURG Newsletter Winter 2023 - (PDF)
RESURG Newsletter Fall 2022 - (PDF)
RESURG Newsletter Spring 2022 - (PDF)
RESURG Newsletter Winter 2022 - (PDF)
RESURG Newsletter Fall 2021 - (PDF)
RESURG Newsletter Spring 2021 - (PDF)
RESURG Newsletter Summer 2021 - (PDF)
RESURG Newsletter Winter 2021 - (PDF)
RESURG Newsletter Spring 2020 - (PDF)
RESURG Newsletter Fall 2020 - (PDF)
RESURG 1st Newsletter 2020 - (PDF)