Resident Research Track

The goal of the Resident Research Track is to train physician-scientists in Anesthesiology. While scholarly activity is included in the curriculum for all our residents, residents in the Resident Research Track will spend six months during residency training working on a focused research project under the mentorship of senior faculty. Residents are also encouraged to pursue a Masters in Clinical Investigation or a Master’s in Public Health during this time. There is also the option of extending residency training by 12 months, which allows residents to have a total of 18 months of protected research time during their residency training.

Our most recent research training track resident, Dr. Andres Laserna, published his work titled Levels of Evidence Supporting the North American and European Perioperative Guidelines for Anesthesiologists in Anesthesiology. This paper was featured on the front page of the journal and led to invited lectures at Stanford and the University of Pennsylvania.

Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out to the Vice-Chair of Research, Laurent G. Glance, MD, to discuss their interests.

Past Research Track Residents

Andres Laserna

Joining the anesthesiology residency research track at the University of Rochester in 2019 began an inspiring journey as a clinician-scientist. Under the expert guidance of my mentor (Dr. Larry Glance) and many other faculty members, my research flourished, culminating in more than 15 publications in prestigious journals and even the first authorship on a paper featured on the cover page of the Anesthesiology journal.

During my research track, I was able to complete a Master's in Clinical Investigation program that provided the perfect complement to my clinical residency, allowing me to delve deeper into pressing healthcare issues and providing me the opportunity to learn statistical coding skills. As I look back on my four years at URMC, Rochester is a premier destination for clinical training and a fertile ground for aspiring researchers. 

Christine Zanghi

I chose the anesthesiology program at the University of Rochester, because the department was committed to my development both as an anesthesiologist and as a researcher. The entire department has worked to ensure that I have both the time and the resources necessary to continue my research training during residency. In addition, they have provided me with multiple levels of support to guarantee that this added educational facet would not detract from my clinical experience.

I am currently working under the direction of Dr. Mike Eaton investigating potential new therapeutics that could substitute for heparin during cardiopulmonary bypass, especially in patients suffering from Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia. I have had the opportunity to present my research work at the annual meetings for both the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists and the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

Finally, the department and the city of Rochester have provided me with an environment in which I can pursue my interests as a clinician and a researcher, while also having the time necessary to fulfill my roles of wife and mother to my 3-year-old son.

Marcin Karcz

After completing a Master of Science degree at the Imperial College in London and having acquired an excellent foundation in research methodology and basic sciences, I planned to transition into a career in academic anesthesiology. I chose the University of Rochester's anesthesiology program because it represents a perfect balance of world class clinical training and protected research time. The main highlights of the program for me are the individualized support, as well as the dedication and encouragement of the department which will allow me to make a successful transition into academia.

Under the mentorship of Dr. Paul Brookes, I have been involved in investigating the efficacy of established and novel drugs on the response of isolated perfused rat hearts to ischemia-reperfusion injury with events focused at molecular level on the mitochondrial ATP sensitive K+ channel. The results of my research work thus far, have allowed me the opportunity to present at the International Anesthesia Research Society Annual Meeting as well as the Critical Care Canada Forum, where I won the prize for the best basic/translational science poster. I would strongly recommend this program to anyone with a serious interest in medical research and a desire for comprehensive clinical training.