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Current Active Research Opportunities in the Department of Anesthesiology available for student participation 

 

Basic Science Research 

Veronica Shubayev- vshubayev@ucsd.edu 

Type of Research: Basic Science research 

Opportunities: We are a basic science lab focusing on Neuroinflammation in pain and nerve injury/repair. We have several opportunities to integrate students into our lab. 

Requirements/Time: Flexible, per student availability but very fixed schedules can be difficult. 

 

Tony Yaksh- tyaksh@health.ucsd.edu  

Type of Research: Basic Science research 

Opportunities: 1.  We are  developing a novel intrathecal catheter that employs slit valve technology that increases drug distribution in the poorly mixed intrathecal space; 2) Studying the role of  cancer cells in promoting ectopic activity in human DRG nocicpetors in culture. 

Requirements/Time: 4-6 hr/d x 3 d week 

 

Eric Kistler- ekistler@ucsd.edu  

Type of Research: Basic Science research 

Opportunities: I perform basic science research in shock and aging. I can describe more for any students who are interested. 

Requirements/Time: At least 10 hrs/week 

 

Andrei Chernov- achernov@health.ucsd.edu  

Type of Research: Basic Science research 

Opportunities: My lab explores molecular mechanisms underlying chronic degenerative neuropathies in the peripheral and central nervous systems triggered by infections or trauma. Current research focuses on two areas: 1) developing genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors to quantify cellular ATP metabolism using in vitro models of acute and chronic neuropathies (bioengineering); and 2) integration of epigenetic clocks to predict health outcomes in chronic neuropathies and neuropathic pain (epigenetics and bioinformatics). These efforts aim to advance diagnostics and therapies for these complex disorders.  

Requirements/Time: 2-4 hours/week, up to 1 year total 

 

Clinical Research 

Fadel Zeidan- fzeidan@ucsd.edu 

Type of Research: Clinical Research 

Opportunities: We are focused on determining the psychological and neural mechanisms supporting the modulation of pain via mindfulness meditation, cannabis, and psychedelics. We have several clinical trials assessing the effects of cannabis and psychedelics on chronic pain. Students could work on these projects in addition to being able to contribute to work for publications. 

Requirements/Time: Generally speaking 6-20 hours/week would be ideal. 

 

Rodney Gabriel- ragabriel@health.ucsd.edu 

Type of Research: Clinical research 

Opportunities: I am interest in working with medical students who are interested in data science or AI projects with some skill and knowledge in statistical programming, computer programming, and statistics. The research would involve leveraging large EHR-based datasets and working with multimodal data (from EHR data, clinical notes, to omics data) and applying data science approaches to better understanding risk and/or outcomes of key clinical issues. Currently, my research focus in on opioid addiction, pain, and clinical deterioration (in-patient mortality, etc). Students should have some background in statistics and programming. 

Requirements/Time: I mainly would like to work with medical students looking to do a research year (between their 3rd and 4th year) or who are interested or have summer research funding through grants at UCSD or externally. 

 

Brian Ilfeld- bilfeld@health.ucsd.edu  

Type of Research: Clinical research 

Opportunities: Various clinical research involving Perioperative analgesics. I can discuss more detail the projects we could use help with depending on the availability of the student. Please reach out if interested.  

Requirements/Time: Incredibly variable; sometimes opportunities for just one week (data entry, figure creation), sometimes for months/years. 

 

Erin Martin- eim002@health.ucsd.edu  

Type of Research: Clinical research 

Opportunities: We are doing a genomics study in the obstetric population. We are still recruiting patients (and would need help with this) and are in the data crunching phase.   

Requirements/Time: Unsure at this time. 

 

Brian Park- bhpark@ucsd.edu 

Type of Research: Clinical 

Opportunities: I completed a regional anesthesia and acute pain management fellowship as well as a postdoctoral research fellowship focused on perioperative application of artificial intelligence-based modeling. I'm also part of the Division of Perioperative Informatics. My research focuses on clinical informatics and artificial intelligence (e.g., machine learning, natural language processing, large language models, retrieval-augmented prediction) to improve perioperative care. Recent projects include developing predictive models for outcomes such as length of stay, complications, and opioid use. My broader interests include multimodal approaches to integrate diverse clinical data and incorporating equity / social determinants of health into AI-driven decision support. 

I welcome medical student involvement in projects ranging from case reports, database studies, and chart reviews to data analysis and writing. I’m open to exploring any topic or interest that sparks curiosity. 

Requirements/time: flexible. 

 

Translational or Other Research  

 Michael Vaninetti- mvaninetti@health.ucsd.edu  

Type of Research: Translational or other research 

Opportunities: I work on Medical device projects. I am happy to explain more about my current projects if anyone reaches out. 

Requirements/Time: Months or more.  Flexible for hours per week. 

 

Preetham Suresh- pjsuresh@health.ucsd.edu 

Type of Research: Translational or other research 

Opportunities: I perform simulation and med ed projects. Current projects include the following: 

  1. Utilization of augmented reality on procedural performance.   
  1. Impact of teaming on simulation and performance outcomes.   
  1. Construction of ballistics gel phantoms for simulation training.   

Requirements/Time: 5 hrs/mo x 12 mos 

 

Jeff Tully- jtully@health.ucsd.edu  

Type of Research: Translational or other research 

Opportunities: I currently study informatics and cybersecurity. We seek to study the impact of cybersecurity incidents like ransomware attacks or compromised medical devices on the delivery of patient care and associated clinical outcomes. Students could be involved in these projects.  

Requirements/Time: 3-5 hrs/week