MEL 7884: Vascular Surgery Research Elective

Drs. Karl Illig and Faculty

This elective is designed to allow students an exposure to research in vascular diagnosis and fundamental problems in vascular disease. Current ongoing research projects include in-situ replacement of infected vascular prostheses, immune-response to bacterial biofilms, hemodynamic factors modulating myointimal hyperplasia, color duplex ultrasonography for pre- and intraoperative diagnosis, and noninvasive bypass graft surveillance. This elective provides the student with an opportunity to have hands-on experience with instrumentation that map arterial and venous flow fields, participate in surgical procedures, and analyze the outcome of arterial reconstructions. Vascular research experience provides further development of surgical techniques and diagnostic skills as well as in-depth exposure to academic medicine. Students will be expected to read and participate in one area of research with effort rewarded by co-authorship on any data they generate that is published.

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated based on their laboratory performance and an oral presentation at the Vascular Surgery Conference.

Pre-requisites

BCC 7164 Surgical Care Clerkship

This elective is NOT available to visiting students.