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Return to Research Opportunities for Medical Students Overview

Research Opportunities for Medical Students

There are numerous opportunities for medical students to participate in both clinical and basic science research projects in the Department of Surgery. Listed below are some of the many research activities currently available. Others research opportunities exist within the department, and medical students are encouraged to seek information directly from individual faculty members.

Thomas Fahey III, MD and Rasa Zarnegar, MD
The endocrine surgery section is focused on clinical and basic science research in a variety of aspects of endocrine disorders. Most thyroid cancer is diagnosed preoperatively by obtaining a biopsy of the thyroid using fine needle aspiration (FNA). However, a significant proportion of these biopsies are hard to interpret. Therefore, patients are having surgical resection of their thyroid to differentiate benign for cancerous lesions when the FNA cannot distinguish between them. With the increasing prevalence of thyroid cancer our researchers have been developing new techniques for differentiating benign thyroid nodules from thyroid cancer without surgery. Recently, our group identified a molecular basis for differentiating benign from malignant thyroid cancer. Based on these initial studies we plan to initiate clinical trials in patients with thyroid nodules. The aim of these studies is to optimize the preoperative evaluation in order to help direct the surgery, or guide the decision not to have surgery. Our group is also involved in multiple clinical studies focused on improved diagnosis, and management of numerous endocrine disorders. Many of these studies are multicenter involving other prominent centers for the management of endocrine disorders worldwide.

K. Craig Kent, MD and Bio Liu, PhD
The Research Laboratory of Vascular Surgery, led by Drs. Liu and Kent, is devoted to vascular diseases including atherosclerosis , restenosis, lower extremity ischemia, and abdominal aortic aneurysms. This NIH-funded lab takes a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to study molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying human vascular diseases. Specific topics include signaling transduction (TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, MAP kinases, and PKC), cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and matrix remodeling. Several translational studies, such as development of novel gene transfer systems and synthetic grafts (in collaboration with Engineer Science of Cornell University), are also taking place in the lab. As the Directors of NIH training programs, both PIs are committed to providing a dynamic and productive training environment for future investigators.

Meena Katdare, Phd
Research programs in Dr. Katdare's laboratory utilize preclinical models developed from appropriate target tissues from clinical biopsies or knockout mice with defined genetic risk for developing breast, colon or prostate cancer. Our research efforts are in two general areas: 1. Identification of fundamental mechanisms responsible for initiation and promotion of cancer and 2. The molecular mechanisms responsible for prevention of cancer by dietary active components present in fruits, vegetables, grain products, spices etc. Presently, the experimental designs are focused to: i.) Elucidate the role of APC in estrogen mediated breast carcinogenesis, ii.) Identify molecular and cellular mechanisms for breast cancer chemoprevention by dietary phytochemicals and iii.) Develop human tissue derived cell culture models for familial and sporadic cancers. Several optimized mechanism based endpoint biomarker assays are utilized to monitor the modulation of growth, cell cycle, cellular-apoptosis and preneoplastic transformation by clinically relevant oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, genotoxic chemical carcinogens, estradiol metabolites and dietary phytochemicals. Techniques such as flow-cytometry, laser scanning cytometry, confocal microscopy, immunofluorescence cytometry, western blots, genomic and proteomic profiles are implemented to identify molecular mechanisms responsible for induction and modulation of carcinogenesis. These pre-optimized mechanistic biomarker assays will be used to monitor signal transduction pathways, status of cell proliferation, cellular apoptosis, cell cycle regulatory proteins, relevant oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and growth and hormone factor receptors. Finally, the lead preventive compounds identified will be tested in a neoadjuvant or adjuvant clinical setting to examine whether they can enhance the efficacy and reduce the toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. The ultimate goal is to translate the knowledge gained from these studies to clinical prevention/intervention of breast, colon and prostate cancer. Postdoctoral trainees and clinical researchers will be able to pursue their research interests in the area of molecular carcinogenesis and cancer chemoprevention.

Several optimized mechanism based endpoint biomarker assays are utilized to monitor the modulation of growth, cell cycle, cellular-apoptosis and preneoplastic transformation by clinically relevant oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, genotoxic chemical carcinogens, estradiol metabolites and dietary phytochemicals. Techniques such as flow-cytometry, laser scanning cytometry, confocal microscopy, immunofluorescence cytometry, western blots, microarray etc. are implemented to identify molecular mechanisms responsible for induction and modulation of carcinogenesis. Postdoctoral trainees and clinical researchers will be able to pursue their research interests in the area of molecular carcinogenesis and cancer chemoprevention. These pre-optimized mechanistic biomarker assays will be used to monitor signal transduction pathways, status of cell proliferation, cellular apoptosis, cell cycle regulatory proteins, relevant oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and growth and hormone factor receptors.

Sandip Kapur, MD
In collaboration with The Transplant Immuno-Biology Core Laboratory and The Rogosin Institute, the transplant division conducts ongoing research activity in delayed graft function and acute rejection rates after extended-criteria deceased donor renal transplantation. Other studies involve the impact of ethnicity, transplant type, immunologic risk and other factors on outcomes under steroid-sparing immunosuppression with Thymoglobulin induction and Tacrolimus-based maintenance therapy. Human islet-cell transplantation for the treatment of type 1 diabetes is also being investigated. Finally Rituximbad (anti-CD20) is being investigated for its use in the prevention and treatment of antibody mediated rejection in renal transplant recipients. Evaluating steroid-free regimens for selected patients Other research areas include: utilization of a new non-invasive urine test to diagnose rejection; transplantation for HIV positive patients who meet certain criteria; following patients long term to help ascertain cardiovascular risk factors in transplant recipients; clinical research in the developmental process of many commercially available medications for the treatment of cholesterol and renal disorders; development of LDL-apheresis, an extracoporeal treatment for patients with severe hypercholesterolemia--the treatment device, Liposorber LA-15, is now available throughout the US and Europe; and development of a lipid emulsion, still in the investigational stage, which may be a potential treatment/prevention for endotoxemia.

Suzanne Schwartz, MD
The Burn Surgery section is conducting a NIH study, "Impact of Diabetes Upon Burn Injury." The study involves examination of clinical outcomes; biology of wound repair; clinical and biologic predictors of healing and post-burn response in diabetes. Other projects involve use of animal (healthy and healing-impaired) models to investigate the effects of biodegradeable dressings and sustained release of pharmaco-active substances in promoting the healing of partial thickness injuries.

Eleni Tousimis, MD
Research efforts in the Breast Surgery division focus on a survey of women in the 30s with breast cancer. Our division is also studying the role of breast conservation therapy in women with pagets disease of the breast.

Rache Simmons, MD
The Breast Surgery section welcomes students to help with retrospective data analysis studies, at any time during the academic year as well as in summer. Students will be taught detailed information about breast cancer pathology, diagnostic modalities, various surgical treatments, as well as adjuvant therapy. While they are working on the database, they will have the opportunity to observe a surgeon during office hours and will be invited to observe one breast operation. The student will be included as a co-author on abstracts and papers written using the data that they help us collect.

Jeff Milsom, MD and Koiana Trencheva, BSN
Research is an important part of the Colon and Rectal Surgery section. Particular areas of interest are colorectal cancer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn‚s Disease and anorectal conditions. Some of the major aspects of colorectal research projects include: development and testing of new surgical technologies and techniques for colorectal diseases; development and testing of new surgical devices used in open and laparoscopic surgical treatment of colorectal diseases; outcome research; conducting different types of clinical trials for IBD and colorectal cancer.

Currently, the Colorectal Research group has more than 15 ongoing research projects, two of which are multi-center trials and some of which are combined projects with our counterparts at Columbia University Colorectal Surgery Section. Based on the medical student‚ss interests, they will have an opportunity to participate in a variety basic science, translational and clinical research projects that are ongoing. Under professional research guidance, the medical students will take part in writing the scientific proposals for new projects; implementation of the ongoing research projects; participate in data collection and data analyses. Student also will participate in the weekly Colorectal Research Conference.

Alfon Pomp, MD and Gladys Strain, PhD
The Section of Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery has several protocols that could involve the participation of medical students. At the current time we are participating in a series of IRB approved protocols:

Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery LABS1 #0411007552 LABS2 (#0508008060)
An evaluation of 30 day mortality after bariatric procedures will be completed in 6000 patients at 6 surgical centers. Current Cornell enrollment: 1017pts. Comprehensive assessment, 2,400 patients in LABS2 Current enrollment: 152 pts. Five year follow-up of multiple measures with yearly blood & urine samples.

Data Collection Project for Weight Loss Surgery. (#0502007736)
All patients who receive weight loss surgery are asked for their permission to use their data on basic demographics, type of surgery, possible complications, quality of life issues and body composition prior to and following surgery for comparative purposes.

Body Composition and REE Responses to Bariatric Surgeries (No IRB required)
Consenting patients (50) will undergo multiple studies prior to and following bariatric procedures of body composition including measurements of total intracellular and extra cellular body water, skeletal muscle mass, organ sizes, and bone mineral content using dilution techniques, MRI, and dual energy-X-ray absorptiometry.

Screening only at Weill Cornell and referral to St. Lukes for consenting and studies. Dr. Strain, who was chairperson of the LABS BC work group, will liaison with the Body Composition Laboratory and be involved in patient follow-up, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.

Blood Loss During Gastric Bypass with a 3.5mm vs 4.8mm Stapler (0509008103)
Surgeons providing consenting patients gastric bypasses will be randomly assigned to use a 3.5mm or a 4.8mm stapler for the procedure. Observations on blood loss and other complications will be recorded in hospital, at 1,4, and 8 weeks. The consenting 60 patients will only be required to permit their surgeon to use the randomly assigned stapler for their gastric bypass and have a 1 week follow-up visit with their surgeon which is not according to our current practice guidelines. Recruitment begun 1-9-07.

Randomized, prospective trial of PPI vs Placebo in the prevention of gastrojejunal strictures after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity (0511008254)
Patients will be randomized to receive either Nexum once daily (treatment) with out cost or placebo. Patients will be evaluated at the usual post operative visits for symptoms indicating possible stricture. If clinically indicated, patients will be referred for evaluation and possible dilatation as standard treatment.

Four hundred patients requesting gastric by passes will be consented by the surgeons and research coordinators and followed for early surgical complications, presence or absence of GI strictures as well as GI ulcer development for a period of 6 months after surgery. To be activated Dec. 2007

Clinical and Pathophysiologic Consequences of Bariatric Surgery (0704009103)
Paired biopsies of liver and subcutaneous and omental fat will be obtained from super obese patients requiring a two stage procedure for surgically assisted weight loss. These specimens will be used to study the effects of obesity and weight loss on adipose tissue biology and liver function.

New protocols are continually being developed. This is a representative sample where medical students may assist in data collection, have patient contacts, and contribute to manuscript preparation. Authorship is granted on the basis of contribution to the research effort. All positions are unpaid and would require pre-certification in Human Research and training in the use of the Epic Patient Record System. Participation in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS) sponsored by the National Institutes of Health requires additional certifications.