The UVA Anesthesiology recently hosted its annual Celebration of Research – an event that not only showcased remarkable scientific achievements but also reaffirmed research as a core pillar of the department’s mission.
Held to recognize and support the contributions of faculty, fellows, residents, CRNAs, and staff, the Celebration of Research brought the department community together to reflect on a year of scientific progress. The event featured a robust program with nine oral presentations, eleven poster presentations, and a publication competition, offering a platform for both established and emerging investigators to present their work.
Presentation topics ranged from perioperative care and pain modulation to innovative medical technologies, neurocognitive outcomes, and disparities in surgical care. This breadth of research highlighted the department’s commitment to translating scientific discoveries into meaningful improvements in patient care.
The day also featured a keynote lecture by Dr. Judith Hellman, Professor in the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care at UCSF and recipient of the 2019 ASA Excellence in Research Award. Dr. Hellman, a leader in sepsis and inflammation research, shared insights from her basic science work as well as reflections from her career path, inspiring attendees with her dedication and resilience.
Research is one of the department’s core mission areas, and events like this Celebration serve to foster a culture of inquiry, collaboration, and continuous learning. The department congratulates all participants and looks forward to announcing the publication competition winner soon.
Zhiyi Zuo, MD, PhD, the organizer of the event and Executive Vice Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology said:
This event has shown the depth and breadth of our department’s research activities and interests, including coagulation in cancer patients, gasrtic empty in patients with obesity, and positive psychology. I am very excited to see that innovative technologies, such as an instrument to detect ischemia/hypoxia in neural tissues and devices using lights to maintain sterile conditions in central line and surgical wound field, are developed in the department. The talks given by our guest speaker Dr. Judith Hellman on the immunological mechanism of sepsis and neuro-immune modulation by endocannabinoid were also enlightening. Overall, it was a great event!
This gathering not only honored individual contributions but reaffirmed the department’s deep commitment to advancing healthcare through research. Congratulations to all who participated—and to those who continue to push the boundaries of medical science.