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Resident Research Pathways

Basic Biomedical and Translational Sciences

Marisa E. Schwab, M.D., a General Surgery resident talks about her work during her 2 year research fellowship in Dr Tippi MacKenzie's lab, investigating in utero therapy for a number of different genetic diseases. 

The Basic Biomedical & Translational Research Pathway is designed to contribute to this legacy by connecting surgical residents with the laboratory research environment at UCSF, which is world-renowned for both its impact and breadth. Residents pursuing this pathway will carry out a postdoctoral research project in the laboratory of a mentor of their choice––not restricted to the Department of Surgery––with the goal of laying the foundation for a career as an independent investigator. 

Clinical Discovery and HSR 

Hillary Braun, MD, a general surgery resident at UCSF,  talks about her work within the Clinical Discovery and Health Services Research Pathway. Dr. Braun's research interest is on transplantation on both pediatric and adult patients. Dr. Braun has been awarded a prestigious two-year resident research scholarship. More of Dr. Braun's research summary in this UCSF news article

Surgical health services research is the study of the impact of surgery on patients and health care systems. The goals of this research are to improve the quality of surgical care through education and inform health policy on a local and national level.  

Surgical Education 

In this video, Drs. Joseph Lin and Minnie Park discuss their exciting projects within the Surgical Education Pathway. Joe Lin, M.D. is a resident in the General Surgery program. Dr. Lin is doing a fellowship in Palliative Care for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Keon Min "Minnie" Park, M.D. is a resident in the Plastic Surgery program. Dr. Park includes working on a long term projects on Artificial Intelligence with the goal to create a database that will give enchanced feedback to residents and Readiness of General Surgery Residents for Fellowships as one of her short term projects. 

Educational research spans a wide range of endeavors including learner motivation, instructional strategies, cognition and assessment. To conduct this research in UCSF we have a team of surgical education researchers, curricular options and research projects. 

Surgical Innovation 

In this video is Alexander Kim, M.D. is a General Surgery Resident. Dr. Kim is completing his research pathway in the Conte Lab at UCSF, under the mentorship of Michael Conte, M.D., investigating resolution biology and developing novel methods of delivering specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators in vascular disease.


The UCSF Biodevice Innovation Pathway is committed to enhancing the diversity of the surgical workforce and strives to provide a supportive and inclusive training experience. Applications from underrepresented minorities, women, and trainees with disabilities are especially encouraged. This pathway will provide residents with an in-depth understanding of the technical, regulatory, and business realities involved in bringing novel medical technologies to the market while providing experiential learning in device design, animal model development, clinical trials, and startup formation.

Global Surgery and Public Health

Nichole Starr, M.D., MPH is a resident in the General Surgery Residency training program with an interest in global health and surgery, cost-effectiveness analyses, and trauma care. She also participated in clinical and research activities in Vitoria, Brazil in 2012 on risk factors associated with MDR-TB transmission. Currently her work at CGSS is focused on cost-effectiveness analysis of surgical activity in Ethiopia and creating a framework for National Surgical Planning.

Trainees participating in the Global Surgery & Public Health Pathway will have the unique opportunity to become adept public health practitioners in these emerging fields, obtaining a fundamental skillset that will allow them to potentially contribute in a significant way to this area of study.

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