Research

Research is a critical part of medicine as it allows physicians to provide high-quality, evidence-based care.  Whether you are interested in a career in medical research yourself or not, the ability to interpret the medical literature and apply it to your clinical practice allows you to powerfully care for patients in an evidence-based manner. 

All residents participate in at least one scholarly project during their residency as part of our curriculum. This scholarly activity is also a requirement for graduation.

Our program offers several platforms for research, ranging from basic science research to more clinically oriented studies and quality improvement projects. Residents have successfully presented at various regional and national conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

We offer dedicated research and quality improvement time to our residents as part of our continuity clinic rotations.  Opportunities also exist for 2-week or 1-month-long research electives for senior residents.

We incorporate a monthly journal club and other research presentations into our weekly academic half-day didactic sessions. During journal club presentations, residents learn basic research methodology and the ability to critically appraise and apply research to their clinical practice.  Additional presentations provide the foundation for understanding the different kinds of clinical research along with their benefits and limitations.  Periodic presentations also share ongoing projects, ideas, and research opportunities for residents to get involved at the university. 

Residents benefit from strong affiliations of the university with both the Veterans Administration (VA) Health System and also Renown Healthcare.  In addition to opportunities to participate in clinical research with faculty in the Department of Medicine, residents can also participate in nationally recognized basic science research (UNR is recognized as a Carnegie Classification "R1") at the university’s main campus and clinical trial/clinical research studies at the VA and Renown Healthcare Systems.

The university's Savitt Medical Library provides extensive resources for scholarly activity and research, including access to many peer-reviewed journals.  Librarians with specific experience in research work closely with our program.  Examples of support include guidance in finding appropriate journals for publication and the use of services such as Endnote and Mendeley to streamline article creation.  

The Clinical Research Center is also available to assist residents with Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications and administrative support for clinical research.  Internal funding of up to $50,000 is available for highly motivated residents via the PilotPLUS program to support well-crafted clinical research studies.  We also have statisticians at the university available to provide assistance on our research projects.  Clinical exam rooms are also available to perform clinical studies through the Office of Clinical Research. 

Basic Science Research:

  1. Pharmacology
  2. Physiology and Cell Biology
  3. Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology
  4. Microbiology and Immunology
  5. Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Clinical Research:

Publications and Presentations

2019

  • Htun Latt (co-author). Performance of a New Risk Score (SVEAT Index) to Identify Low Risk Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Acute Chest Pain. DOI: 10.1016/S0735-1097(19)30693-X
  • Rajkumar Doshi, MD, MPH (first author). Impact of Chronic kidney disease on in-hospital outcomes following left ventricular assist device placement: A national perspective.
  • Rajkumar Doshi, MD, MPH. (first author). Comparison of Baseline Characteristics and In-hospital Outcomes in Medicaid Versus Private Insurance Hospitalizations for Atrial Fibrillation.
  • Mark B. Ulanja MD, MPH. (first author). Influence of race and geographic setting on management of gastric adenocarcinoma.

2018

  • Clinical Trial. Simethicone pretreatment with low-volume Polyethylene-Glycol-3350 and Bisacodyl in an effort to improve bowel wall visualization.

2017

  • Kudaravalli, Praneeth (co-author). et al. Efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of biosimilars of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents in rheumatic diseases; A systematic review and meta-analysis. PMID: 28209290
  • Cy, Hsu (first author). et al. A New Treatment-integrated Prognostic Nomogram of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer System for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. PMID: 28801646
  • Cy, Hsu, (last author). Comment on 'Transarterial chemo-embolisation of hepatocellular carcinoma: impact of liver function and vascular invasion'. PMID: 28772280
  • Latt, Htun (co-author). Compartmentalized cAMP responses to prostaglandin EP2 receptor activation in human airway smooth muscle cells. PMID: 28603838

2016

  • Cy, Hsu (first author). Nomogram of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer System: On the go. PMID: 27744654
  • Cy, Hsu (first author). Nomogram of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer System for the individual prognostic prediction in hepatocellular carcinoma. PMID: 26972815
  • Cy, Hsu (first author). Surgical Resection is better than transarterial chemoembolization for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan Criteria: A Prognostic Nomogram. PMID: 26487000
  • Cy, Hsu (first author). Hepatocellular carcinoma patients with performance status 1 deserve new classification and treatment algorithm in the BCLC system. PMID: 26200647

2015

  • Accuracy of detecting colorectal polyps utilizing Colon Capsule Endoscopy 2: A Meta-Analysis.
    • Abstract presented at American College of Gastroenterology 80th annual meeting held in Honolulu, Hawaii, October 2015. 
    • Presenting author: Praneeth Kudaravalli
  • Elevated serum osteoprotegerin levels are associated with aortic valve stenosis: A Meta-Analysis.
    • Abstract presented at International Academy of Cardiology, Annual Scientific Sessions, Vancouver, BC, Canada, July 2015.
    • Presenting author: Praneeth Kudaravalli
  • Decreased serum vaspin levels are associated with coronary artery disease: A Meta-Analysis.
    • Abstract presented at International Academy of Cardiology, Annual Scientific Sessions, Vancouver, BC, Canada, July 2015.
    • Presenting author: Praneeth Kudaravalli

Contacts:

  1. Praneeth Kudaravalli, M.D.
    Chief Resident
  2. Danielle Eaton
    Director, Research Operations and Administration
  3. Mary Shultz
    Director, Savitt Medical Library
  4. Michelle Rachal, MLIS, AHIP
    Reference and Web Librarian
  5. Wei Yang Ph.D., M.D.
    Professor; Executive Director, Nevada Center for Surveys, Evaluation and Statistics (CSES)
  6. Nancy Moody, JD MA
    Director, Research Integrity Office

Renown Regional Medical Center

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, in collaboration with Renown Health, is providing various research opportunities to internal medicine residents as part of the University's efforts in bringing fascinating new research and evidence-based medicine to the Northern Nevada Community. There are currently several ongoing clinical studies in various subspecialties including cardiology, neurology, critical care, and oncology at Renown Health.

The practice of multidisciplinary in-hospital teams has been proven to bring excellent health care and patient satisfaction; we are using this principle to bring ingenious and novel research by forming a new alliance with Renown Health Pharmacy Practice Residency and integrating our residents into pharmacy resident's research curriculum.

Clinical Research

Sample list - Current ongoing projects:

  • Evaluate warfarin per pharmacy protocol / establishment of warfarin dosing guideline.
    Preceptor: Dr. Ward / Dr. Barcelon.
  • Evaluation and implementation of extended infusion piperacillin-tazobactam.
    Preceptor: Dr. Thompson.
  • Evaluation of quality and safety of Heparin Weight Based Protocol. Conversion of heparin weight based protocol from aPTT monitoring to anti-Xa monitoring.
    Preceptor: Dr. Barcelon / Dr. Ward.
  • Impact of Procalcitonin monitoring on inpatient antibiotic use.
    Preceptor: Dr. Thompson.
  • Assess the impact of giving push dose alteplase during cardiac arrest for suspected PE on mortality.
    Preceptor: Dr. Townsend.
  • Assess the impact of alteplase in the treatment of submassive PE on mortality, LOS, development of pulmonary HTN, and bleeding.
    Preceptor: Dr. Townsend.
  • Anticoagulation/Antiplatelet medications to beds program outcomes.
    Preceptor: Dr. Porath.
  • Assess impact of recreational marijuana approval on emergency medicine resources and narcotic utilization.
    Preceptor: Dr. Townsend.
  • IV Ketamine infusion use on pain scores and opioid use.
    Preceptor: Dr. Barcelon.
  • Adverse events associated with new biological / monoclonal antibody infusions in the outpatient setting.
    Preceptor: Dr. Zion.
  • Evaluation of ADP inhibition of patients on P2Y inhibitors and stent thrombosis.
    Preceptor: Dr. Marcus.
  • Phase III ADT+TAK-700 vs. ADT+Bicalutamide for Metastatic Prostate Cancer.
    Principal investigator: Mocherla M.D.
  • Study of Platinum+Pemetrexed chemotherapy with or without Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in participants with first line metastatic Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (MK-3475-189/KEYNOTE-189).
    Principal investigator: Mocherla M.D.

Contacts:

  1. Michele Henderson
    Clinical Research Manager
  2. Kimberly Olsen-Wilson, MSHS, CCRP
    Clinical Research Manager
  3. Kate Ward, PharmD, BCPS
    Pharmacy Clinical Manager
  4. Jessica Thompson, PharmD, BCPS (AQ-ID)
    Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Clinical Specialist

VA Sierra Nevada Healthcare System

Veterans Healthcare System supports our goal of bringing quality patient care and advanced research to the community. Residents have access to an enormous patient database at the VA, and we provide training to learn the art of data mining headed by Dr. Elizabeth Hill. There are currently ongoing projects in quality improvement and clinical research projects in the fields of cardiology, infectious diseases, and critical care.

Contacts:

  1. Omar Canaday, M.D., FACP
    Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
    Associate Program Director
  2. Sara Trigero, M.D.
    Deputy of Ambulatory Care
  3. Elizabeth E. Hill, Ph.D., RN
    Associate Chief of Staff, Research