Resident Research
We have designed our program to offer a broad and flexible research focus, which includes opportunities for health services and outcomes-based research, clinical and translational research, as well as basic science research within the OHSU community. Our aim is to provide residents with a meaningful research experience during their critical years of residency training.
We encourage residents to concurrently enroll in the Human Investigations Program (HIP), a training component within the institutional CTSA, also known as the Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute.. Residents can choose to enroll in either the Masters of Clinical Research Track or the Certificate Track. The residency program is structured in a way that allows residents to participate in research activities concurrently, ensuring that all ACGME and ABR requirements are met. Importantly, the length of the training program remains unaltered despite research endeavors.
Our 2023-2024 resident research projects:
Research focus
Women's reproductive health
Current research
With Dr. Elshaikh, my research focused on comparative outcomes in women diagnosed with early stage carcinosarcoma compared to uterine serous carcinoma. At OHSU, with Dr. Kahn, I am working in optimizing the pregnancy screening workflow within the radiation oncology department.
Current publications
Matched-pair Analysis for Survival Endpoints Between Women With Early-stage Uterine Carcinosarcoma and Uterine Serous Carcinoma. Yahya JB, Zhu S, Burmeister C, Hijaz MY, Elshaikh MA.Am J Clin Oncol. 2021 Sep 1;44(9):463-468. doi: 10.1097/COC.0000000000000851.
Elective Nodal Irradiation for Limited-stage Small-cell Lung Cancer: Survey of US Radiation Oncologists on Practice Patterns. Farrell MJ, Yahya JB, Degnin C, Chen Y, Holland JM, Henderson MA, Jaboin JJ, Harkenrider MM, Thomas CR Jr, Mitin T.Clin Lung Cancer. 2020 Sep;21(5):443-449.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.cllc.2020.02.020. Epub 2020 Mar 7.PMID: 32245625
Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation for Limited-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Survey of US Radiation Oncologists on Current Practice Patterns Farrell MJ, Yahya JB, Degnin C, Chen Y, Holland JM, Henderson MA, Jaboin JJ, Harkenrider MM, Thomas CR Jr, Mitin T.Clin Lung Cancer. 2018 Jul;19(4):371-376. doi: 10.1016/j.cllc.2018.02.009. Epub 2018 Feb 23.PMID: 29559208
Mentors
Timur Mitin, M.D., Ph.D.
Reid Thompson, M.D., Ph.D.
Research focus
Retrospective Analyses, Data Science
Current research
My current interests are focused on elucidating novel factors that promote and protect pneumonitis in patients diagnosed with Stage III NSCLC and treated with definitive ChemoRT followed by consolidation durvalumab utilizing the VA database.
Current publications
From planned neck dissection to PET response to circulating tumour DNA: changes in post-treatment assessment of HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancer†. Post CM, Ohaegbulam KC, Mitin T.J Med Radiat Sci. 2023 Sep 15. doi: 10.1002/jmrs.720. Online ahead of print.PMID: 37715340 Free article.
The multidisciplinary management of cholangiocarcinoma. Ohaegbulam KC, Koethe Y, Fung A, Mayo SC, Grossberg AJ, Chen EY, Sharzehi K, Kardosh A, Farsad K, Rocha FG, Thomas CR, Nabavizadeh N.Cancer. 2023 Jan 15;129(2):184-214. doi: 10.1002/cncr.34541. Epub 2022 Nov 16.PMID: 36382577 Review.
The immune checkpoint B7x expands tumor-infiltrating Tregs and promotes resistance to anti-CTLA-4 therapy. John P, Pulanco MC, Galbo PM Jr, Wei Y, Ohaegbulam KC, Zheng D, Zang X.Nat Commun. 2022 May 6;13(1):2506. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-30143-8.PMID: 35523809 Free PMC article.
Current publications
MRI and PET of Brain Tumor Neuroinflammation in the Era of Immunotherapy, From the AJR Special Series on Inflammation. Kersch CN, Ambady P, Hamilton BE, Barajas RF Jr.AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2022 Apr;218(4):582-596. doi: 10.2214/AJR.21.26159. Epub 2021 Jul 14.PMID: 34259035 Free PMC article. Review.
Blood-brain barrier opening by intracarotid artery hyperosmolar mannitol induces sterile inflammatory and innate immune responses. Burks SR, Kersch CN, Witko JA, Pagel MA, Sundby M, Muldoon LL, Neuwelt EA, Frank JA.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2021 May 4;118(18):e2021915118. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2021915118.PMID: 33906946
Radiation enhances the delivery of antisense oligonucleotides and improves chemo-radiation efficacy in brain tumor xenografts. Ambady P, Wu YJ, Kersch CN, Walker JM, Holland S, Muldoon LL, Neuwelt EA.Cancer Gene Ther. 2022 May;29(5):533-542. doi: 10.1038/s41417-021-00324-6. Epub 2021 Apr 14.PMID: 33850305 Free PMC article.
Mentor
Blair Murphy, M.D.
Josh Walker, M.D., Ph.D.
Nima Nabavizadeh, M.D.
Research focus
My current research interests are centered on patient safety and early cancer detection strategies. Additionally, I am focused on a number of safety improvement projects looking at repeat early stage lung cancer retreatments, fertility preservation in pediatric patients receiving radiation, and clinical workflow improvements.
Current research
I am working with Dr. Nima Nabavizadeh, Director of Director of Early Detection Clinical Research, CEDAR at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, to present cases of novel cancer diagnosis utilizing multi-cancer early detection liquid biopsies. Many of these diagnoses have been made through the PATHFINDER study prior to any other presentation and bought the patients valuable diagnostic and treatment time.
Current publications
Factors Associated With Open Access Publishing Costs in Oncology Journals: Cross-sectional Observational Study. Koong A, Gardner UG, Burton J, Stewart C, Thompson P, Fuller CD, Ludmir EB, Rooney MK.JMIR Form Res. 2023 Mar 16;7:e44633. doi: 10.2196/44633.
Mentor
Alison Skalet, M.D., Ph.D.
Carl Post, M.D.
Research focus
Dr. Kaya is passionate about promoting diversity in the field of radiation oncology, mentorship at all career stages, increasing exposure of radiation oncology through medical education, and advancing radiation therapy applications.
Current research
The topics of her current research projects include breast cancer patient experience, eye plaque brachytherapy, radiation oncology education and outreach to medical students, and women in the radiation oncology workforce.
Current publications
Bilateral vision loss as initial presentation of chronic myeloid leukemia in a young adult: A case report and review of the literature. Brown NJ, Kaya EA, Haymore JG, Gioia LV.Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2022 May 9;26:101579. doi: 10.1016/j.ajoc.2022.101579.