As a fellow, contributing to the field through research and scholarly publication is a key part of professional development. Dell Med faculty are committed to providing meaningful opportunities for scholarly work and encourage fellows to pursue publication as a vital part of the learning experience and a way to advance both personal expertise and the broader medical community.
Areas of Research
Fellows lead projects that improve how care is delivered — from enhancing procedural safety to reducing unnecessary utilization and waste.
Examples
- Reducing waste at the bedside: A resident-led project to decrease waste and cost from diagnostic paracentesis — Charles Hyman
- Using cartoons instead of text to improve colonoscopy bowel prep — Mihir Patel
- Healthcare resource utilization in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and irritable bowel disease after licensed clinical social worker intervention — Nikitha Gangasani, Rima Shobar
- Vedolizumab as a second line biologic for Cronkhite Canada Syndrome — Jonathan Pham
Research in this area explores new strategies for teaching, mentoring, and sharing knowledge across local and global learning environments.
Examples
- Transplant hepatology fellowship websites: The good, the bad, and the unhelpful — Charles Hyman
- A picture is worth a thousand words: Using cartoons instead of text to improve colonoscopy bowel prep — Mihir Patel
Fellows explore complex liver conditions through translational research and real-world studies, contributing to earlier detection and improved management.
Examples
- The non-alcoholic fatty liver disease decompensation risk score: External validation and comparison — Nikitha Gangasani
- Suboptimal adherence to guidelines to non-invasively rule out esophageal varices in Austin, Texas — Nikitha Gangasani
Innovative, hands-on procedural work advances the safety, precision and effectiveness of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy.
Examples
- Unconventional intervention for unusual biliary dilation — Mihir Patel
- Modifying the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube to treat variceal bleeding — Nikitha Gangasani
- Single-center experience with cystgastrostomies and management strategies — Mihir Patel
- Gastrojejunostomy with lumen-apposing metal stent for afferent loop syndrome — Mihir Patel
Research focuses on reducing barriers to care and promoting access to digestive health services for all.
Examples
- Health claims of probiotic supplements in the us: An analysis of product labels — Nikitha Gangasani
- Increasing colon cancer screening compliance in a residency clinic by means of personalized patient phone calls — Rima Shobar