RESURG

• 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, MD & Marguerite Spruce (co-PI)
  Research Assistants: Elias Jbeily (Lead), Anya Guzman
  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
  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: Ashley Truong (Lead), Taylor Silva, Kevin Ly, Matthew Kim, Kritika Sharma, Rafael Ricon, Ryan Nguyen, Amanda Aquilio, Naomi Cinque
  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: Kevin Ly
  The study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of continuous, intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate as compared to placebo in 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.

• Irrigated Radio Frequency Ablation to Terminate Non-Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (Terminal AF Study)
  Research Classification: Prospective Clinical Trial
  Principal Investigator: Bob Kiaii, MD
  Research Assistants: Angela Aguirre, Andrea Sommer, and Ryan Nguyen
  The aim of the study is to expand the use of the Cardioblate Surgical Ablation devices to treat non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Surgical ablation is a regularly used, non-experimental heart surgery technique that creates lines of scars on the atria, but the use of this specific device for this specific type of atrial fibrillation is experimental.

• BEST-Registry
  Research Classification: Prospective Observational Study
  Principal Investigator: Matthew Mell, MD
  Research Assistants: Angela Aguirre, Naomi Cinque
  The primary objective of the BEST-Registry is to enroll patients excluded from the BEST-CLI Trial and thereby assess real-world therapeutic strategies, clinical outcomes, and costs associated with critical limb ischemia. Since the BEST Registry is designed to capture real world care, there will be no randomization or required / recommended treatment.

• DVTMOD
  Research Classification: Retrospective
  Principal Investigator: Misty Humphries, MD & Cara Pozolo, MD (co-PI)
  Research Assistants: Gabby Echt (Lead), Kritika Sharma
  The DVT study aims to retrospectively review all the deep vein thrombosis studies performed by the UCDMC Vascular Lab over a six month period. Venous duplex tests are used to rule out deep vein thrombosis. This study hopes to decrease the number of unnecessary tests and provide education about optimal diagnosis techniques for DVTs, consequently reducing medical waste. The DVT study aims to review the number of unnecessary tests that are performed, determine the main risk factors for a positive DVT study, and estimate the risk of DVT based on the Well’s criteria. The study also aims to create an EMR risk calculator to help providers estimate the risk of DVT prior to ordering a DVT study.

• The Role of GAS6/AXL Expression in Malignant Melanoma and GI Cancers
  Research Classification: Prospective Observational Study
  Principal Investigator: Amanda Kirane, MD & Sepideh Gholami, MD (co-PI)
  Research Assistants: Kritika Sharma (Lead)
  The goal of this study is to assess the expression of a protein, Ax1, as a clinical correlate of prognosis and response to therapy in malignant melanoma. We also aim to evaluate another protein, Gas6, as a serum marker of disease stage and response to therapy in multiple organ tumors, including gastrointestinal tumors. This study aims to assess the expression of these two proteins, Gas6 and Ax1, as serum biomarkers that reliably predict response to immunologic therapies in patients with melanoma. We hope to use the results of this study as a basis for future therapeutics and as a potential biomarker of response to immunotherapies.

• Blunt Aortic Injury: A Review of Techniques and Outcomes
  Research Classification: Retrospective
  Principal Investigator: Steven Maximus, MD
  Research Assistants: Kritika Sharma (Lead)
  Blunt aortic injury is the second leading cause of death in all blunt traumas. There are different options to treat this injury, including a common open surgery and a more recently used minimally invasive technique called Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair, also known as TEVAR. This specialized technique allows surgeons to perform the entire operation through two small incisions in the groin, instead of having to open up the chest as is necessary in other operations. This study aims to evaluate how the TEVAR operation is performed at UC Irvine Medical Center and their outcomes. It also aims to evaluate all repairs within the UC Health System while also assessing the long-term outcomes of patients who have had this procedure done at multiple institutes.

• The Immediate Availability of Hyaluronidase
  Research Classification: Retrospective
  Principal Investigator: Lee Pu, MD
  Research Assistants: Taylor Silva, Matthew Kim
  The purpose is to determine the immediate availability of hyaluronidase for patients undergoing hyaluronic acid (HA) filler injections to the face. This study will be the first of its kind to elucidate the immediate availability of hyaluronidase at practices that inject HA fillers as well as EDs. This may reveal a significant safety issue regarding HA filler use in the United States, particularly if neither practices nor their neighboring EDs stock hyaluronidase. In addition, our work will determine the underlying reasons for not stocking hyaluronidase such that appropriate recommendations can be made at a policy, practice, and community level to improve patient safety.

• Analysis of Telemed Survey During COVID-19
  Research Classification: Quality Improvement
  Principal Investigator: Lee Pu, MD
  Research Assistants: Matthew Kim
  The study aims to determine the quality and completeness of telemedicine visits performed during COVID-19 from a surgeon perspective and determine the quality and completeness of telemedicine visits performed during COVID-19 from a patient perspective. We suspect that patients and providers will face some challenges as they increase utilization of telemedicine in a crisis situation.

• How Does Obesity Affect Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery
  Research Classification: Retrospective
  Principal Investigator: Victoria Lyo, MD
  Research Assistants: Alexis Chirco
  This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes of obese and non-obese patients with intestinal disease as well as the associated medical costs of treatment. This study also looks at the prevalence of developing new intestinal disease following bariatric surgery.

• Incidental Findings Found on Abdominal Imaging Done on General Surgery Patients
  Research Classification: Retrospective
  Principal Investigator: Michael Campbell, MD & Ashly Ruf (sub-I)
  Research Assistants: Rafael Ricon, Amanda Aquilio
  This study aims to identify the incidence of incidental findings found on abdominal CT scans done on patients admitted to acute care general surgery service. We then determine if and how many of these patients with incidentals receive outpatient workup. IFs that are not followed up on can lead to legal liability, delays in a diagnosis, and overall a poor patient outcome. Thus, we are evaluating how many of these patients receive follow up on their incidental findings. 

• Prevalence and Associations of Methamphetamine Use in Patients Admitted to Surgical Services
  Research Classification: Retrospective
  Principal Investigator: Kathleen Romanowski, MD
  Research Assistants: Taylor Silva, Elias Jbeily, Ryan Nguyen
  This study aims to retrospectively determine the prevalence and associations - mechanism of injury, cardiovascular parameters, and cost of care - of amphetamine use in patients admitted to the Trauma and Burn services from 2015-2019.

• COVID-19 Among Obese Patientsz
  Research Classification: Retrospective
  Principal Investigator: Shushmita Ahmed, MD
  Research Assistants: Kevin Ly (Lead), Amber Solt
  The main goal of this study is to determine the effect body mass index (BMI) has on mortality and other critical-care outcomes in patients with COVID-19.

• PCPLC Core Data Project
  Research Classification: Prospective
  Principal Investigator: Payam Saadai, MD
  Research Assistants: Kevin Ly (Lead)
  The aim of this study is to collect information about the patient population of those with pediatric colorectal disease and maintain a database. The database will be used by PCPLC to characterize the patient population and to describe treatment practices and functional outcomes. 

• AAST Vascular Trauma Registry: Prospective Observational Vascular Injury Trial:
  Research Classification: Retrospective
  Principal Investigator: Joseph Galante, MD
  Research Assistants: Anya Guzman
  PROOVIT aims to capture key elements of vascular trauma presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcomes from leading trauma institutions in the US. The objective is to establish an aggregate database of information for vascular trauma outcomes by subcategorizing the data into anatomic patterns of vascular trauma. 

• Improving Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Rates in an Open Health Care System
  Research Classification: Quality Improvement
  Principle Investigator(s): Matthew Mell, MD
  Research Assistants: Angela Aguirre (Lead), Christina Brown, Ashley Truong
  The aim is to increase the rate of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening through electronic medical record (EMR) as a quality improvement program for patients at UC Davis Medical Center, which is an open health care system. This will aid in lowering AAA-related mortality.

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
Andrea Sommer - 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
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
Anastasiya Ivanko - Admin

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.

RESURG:
Email: hs-resurg@ucdavis.edu

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ucdavisresurg/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ucdavisresurg/

We would like to introduce our RESURG’s first Philanthropy event! The purpose of RESURG’s Philanthropy event is to provide an educational opportunity for the population of underserved high school students in Sacramento County. During this 2-day event, students will be offered the opportunity to attend a number of workshops that promote professional development, building professional connections, and education about careers in healthcare, medicine, and clinical research. To learn more about our Philanthropy and how to apply, take a look at the following sections.

Event Details (TBD)
How to Apply (TBD)

Contact Us:
Christina Brown: Event Coordinator
Email: cmabrown@ucdavis.edu