You can spend time between your second and third year or third and fourth year of residency as a research resident. This opportunity is highly competitive, and you must develop and submit a research proposal, acquire grant funding, and expect to present your research at several regional and national conferences.  

Research years are optional and separate from the residency program curriculum. However, if you apply for a competitive OHSU fellowship, such as colorectal surgery, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery or surgical oncology, resident research is required. 

Your application is due by October 15 before your research year begins.  

Before you apply, choose a primary mentor from the Department of Surgery faculty and develop a research proposal.  

If your proposal is approved, you will complete one year of research under your research mentor and under the guidance of Sandy Fang, M.D., FACS, FASCRS, and Jonathan Brody, Ph.D. Additional research years and research at external institutions are sometimes possible.  

Contact Dr. Sandy Fang at fangs@ohsu.edu  to learn more about the program and application process. 

Sandy Fang, M.D., FACS, FASCRS, is Director of Resident Research. Dr. Fang is a colorectal surgeon who joined us from Johns Hopkins University, where she was the director of the High Resolution Anoscopy Center, surgical director for the Anal Cancer Center of Excellence, and the director of the Surgery Apprenticeship Program. She has won multiple teaching awards in general surgery residency and as an attending colorectal surgeon.  

Jonathan Brody, Ph.D., is Vice Chair of Research for the Department of Surgery and the Associate Director of the Brenden-Colson Pancreatic Center for Patient Care. His lab focuses on molecular aspects of pancreatic cancer.  

Our surgery residents help advance innovation through rigorous, peer-reviewed research. Their work spans clinical, education, outcomes, and health equity research. These recent publications show how resident scholarship is shaping the future of surgical care. 

Explore more publications on pubmed