Industry-Sponsored Research
Welcome to the UVA Anesthesiology Industry-Sponsored Research Enterprise. The purpose of our group is to help our industry partners test novel technology that can ultimately help us take better care of both patients undergoing surgery and anesthesia as well as those who are critically ill. To achieve this, we have built a multidisciplinary team anchored by a full-time biomedical engineer, complemented by an experienced Clinical Research Nurse Manager and a fully staffed team of clinical research coordinators with expertise in industry-sponsored trials. Together, they bring a powerful combination of engineering insight and clinical trial execution. We believe strongly that without industry support, none of the research that comes out of academia will ever reach the bedside to help our patients, and our goal is to help support our industry partners in this endeavor. Our team can execute both clinical and basic physiology trials, as well as publish the data in peer-reviewed literature.
Ongoing Research
Ceribell
We are working with Ceribell to test whether processed EEG can be utilized to better care for post-surgical patients in the ICU setting.
CSL Behring
We are participating in a Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Open-label, Controlled Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of 4-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate in Adult Patients Undergoing Complex Cardiovascular Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass. NCT07094087
FUS Mobile
We are testing the efficacy and safety of using high-frequency focused ultrasound to treat low back pain from sacroiliac mediated pathology in preparation for larger multisite trials and in preparation for FDA approval.
Philips Medical
We are working with Philips Medical on the HIPULSE study, part of a 6 center consortium testing their novel blood pressure cuff capable of more accurately measuring blood pressure as well as estimating stroke volume, in preparation for FDA clearance.
STIMIT
We are part of an ongoing multicenter randomized trial designed to preserve diaphragm thickness using non-invasive magnetic phrenic nerve stimulation. See PMID 40500715
Previously Completed Work
Advanced Circulatory Systems
We tested the ability of negative intrathoracic pressure to improve hemodynamics. See PMID 20926988, 23706051
Avanos
- We were part of a large multi-institutional study comparing the use of Coolief cooled radiofrequency ablation to conventional ablation of the genicular nerves in patients with osteoarthritis in the knee. See PMID 35716058
- We were part of a large multi-institutional study evaluating the safey and efficacy of Coolief cooled radiofrequency ablation to a single injection of hyaluronic acid in the management of knee pain. See PMID 32898379, 32517739
- We were part of a large multi-institutional study comparing lateral branch cooled radiofrequncy ablation to conservative therapy as treatment for sacroiliac joint pain. See PMID 40089310, 37407279
FitBit
We tested whether or not pre-surgical activity tracking could be useful to predict surgical outcomes, and found that steps per day, as measured with a FitBit, were highly predictive of surgical complications. See PMID 32015289, 33782756
FUS Mobile
We were part of a multicenter trial testing the efficacy and safety of using high-frequency focused ultrasound to treat low back pain from facet mediated pathology in preparation for FDA approval.
Hemosonics
We performed early testing of an ultrasound-based blood clotting platform, which is now FDA cleared and widely used (Quantra), including at the University of Virginia. See PMID 30279065, 32032102, 33197797, 36976255, 27584686
INSPiRE-ICU2
We were part of a large, multi-center trial testing whether volatile anesthetic agents can be safely administered in the ICU setting through a novel, carbon-filter based device (the Sedaconda), in preparation for FDA approval.
Merck
We performed a prospective, randomized, double blind study evaluating the efficacy of Alvimopan on postoperative bowel function after major spine surgery. See PMID 30951602
Retia Medical
We provided Retia Medical with de-identified liver transplantation data to help them refine their cardiac output monitor, the Argos, which is now FDA approved and widely disseminated. This data was intentionally not published.
Veritas
We were part of a multisite institutional study looking at the efficacy of Quetenza in patients with post surgical neuropathic pain.
Vertex
We were part of a multisite institutional study examining the efficacy of suzetrigine for chronic lumbar radicular pain.
Resources Available at UVA
Clinical Capacity
UVA admits 29,000 patients annually at its main hospital and performs 42,000 surgical cases per year among four operating room locations. Additionally, as part of this case volume, UVA performs approximately 500 adult cardiac surgical cases and 100 liver transplantation cases annually, many of whom receive pulmonary artery catheterization as part of the standard of care. Heart and lung transplantation are performed at lower volumes, and UVA has a busy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) practice, and is an ELSO Center of Excellence. The main hospital has 5 adult intensive care units including a medical ICU, surgical ICU, CT surgery ICU, neuro ICU, and coronary care unit.
Exercise Physiology Core Laboratory
The Exercise Physiology Core Laboratory supports clinical research involving exercise testing, training, body composition, and metabolism.
Clinical Research Team
In addition to our accomplished research and clinical faculty, we employ 13 full time clinical research coordinators led by Jennifer Phillips, RN, CCRC. Engineering support is provided by Dr. Keita Ikeda, and biostatistical support is provided by Dr. Siny Tsang.
Robert Thiele, MD is a cardiac anesthesiologist and intensivist (ICU doctor) at UVA. A tenured Professor of Anesthesiology & Biomedical Engineering, and an engineer by training, he is particularly interested in transesophageal ultrasonography and critical care ultrasound, as well as the use and development of advanced monitoring technology. He is an at-large member of the Board of Directors for the University Physicians Group, in addition to serving on the Finance Committee and Investment Subcommittee.
Michael Mazzeffi, MD, MPH, MSc is a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist and intensivist. His research focuses on blood coagulation, transfusion, and extracorporeal circulation. His work has previously been funded by the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation, and by industry. He has served as the PI on industry funded coagulation trials and critical care trials.
John McNeil, MD, MBA is an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and is Division Head for Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesia. He is board-certified in adult cardiac anesthesiology, anesthesiology and transesophageal echocardiography. He is also a Fellow of the American Society of Echocardiography (FASE). His research interests include transfusion/coagulation management in cardiac surgery, operating room efficiency, medical malpractice, pulmonary complications, and the perioperative health effects from microplastic and forever chemical exposure.
Bhiken I Naik, MBBCh, MSCR is a tenured Professor of Anesthesiology and Neurological Surgery and the Associate Medical Director of the Nerancy Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit. He is board certified in Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Neurocritical Care through the American Board of Anesthesiology. Dr. Naik’s research interests include creating prediction models for postoperative complications, improving data for low-middle-income countries and understanding recovery trajectories after surgery using mHealth technology. Dr. Naik is the Principal Investigator for the Multicenter Perioperative Outcomes Group at UVA and is currently completing his Masters in Clinical Research at the School of Public Health. He serves on multiple national committees including the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the Society of Neuroscience in Anesthesiology and Critical Care, and the North American Spine Society.
Keita Ikeda, PhD is an accomplished Research Scientist who builds the data, regulatory, and workflow infrastructure that powers high-quality perioperative and critical-care studies. Since joining UVA in 2013, he has strengthened trial design, IRB and CFR Part 11 compliance, and research databases/lab automation to accelerate investigator-initiated and industry partnerships. Trained in biomedical engineering, Dr. Ikeda applies rigorous measurement and analytics to improve patient outcomes and supports faculty, trainees, and collaborators across UVA Health.
Jennifer Viglione Phillips, RN, CCRC, is an accomplished Clinical Research Manager in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Virginia, where she leads a dynamic team of Clinical Research Coordinators and oversees a diverse portfolio of clinical trials. With over 30 years of experience in clinical research and nursing, she brings deep expertise in managing drug and device trials, including FDA regulatory submissions and protocol development. Her previous leadership in workforce development as Director of Research Workforce Development for the integrated Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia (iTHRIV) reflects her commitment to building research capacity and fostering inclusive, well-trained teams across institutions. A certified clinical research coordinator since 2002, she is widely recognized for her contributions to translational science, educational programming, and collaborative research initiatives.
Siny Tsang, PhD is the Biostatistician for the Department of Anesthesiology. While her primary role is to perform data analysis and interpretation of results for on-going projects, she also collaborates with research teams throughout the design, planning, and implementation process to help produce high quality statistical deliverables. Dr. Tsang has extensive experience in a variety of statistical analysis techniques and large datasets. She earned her PhD in Quantitative Psychology from the University of Virginia and completed her post-doctoral training in the Psychiatric Epidemiology Training program at Columbia University.
Contact Our Team
Interested in discussing your research needs? Complete the following form, and one of our team members will get in touch with you.