Resident Research Track (Z-STAR)
Zuo Scholar Trainees in Anesthesiology Research (Z-STAR) Track
Mission & Program Highlights
The Zuo Scholar Trainees in Anesthesiology Research (Z-STAR) Program seeks to support and develop anesthesiology trainees who aspire to become physician-scientists. The program aims to provide early structured mentorship, protected research time, and access to institutional resources in order to promote scientific inquiry, academic productivity, and long-term success in research-focused careers.
Z-STAR research residents will gain access to the following resources:
Research Mentor
A faculty member with aligned scientific interests who will guide the trainee’s research development, project selection, and scholarly progression.
Wellness Mentor
A faculty mentor focused on supporting the trainee’s professional development, well-being, and work-life balance throughout residency.
Research Support
Residents will be familiarized with departmental and institutional research support as indicated after selecting a research focus.
Lecture Series
An eight-course lecture series developed by Dr. Thiele. Residents will receive specialized instruction over the course of the CA0 and CA1 years.
Program Expectations
Z-STAR residents will meet semi-annually or more frequently with both their research mentor and their wellness mentor and are required to be in good academic standing. Z-Star Residents are expected to:
- Pass the USMLE Step 3 exam prior to CA1 year.
- Score above the 20th percentile for class cohort on each ITE.
- Pass the BASIC exam at the end of CA1 year.
- Adhere to case log and duty hour reporting within GME guidelines.
- Maintain all GME required credentials such as BLS/ACLS.
- Attend all regularly-scheduled academic programming (i.e. afternoon lectures, grand rounds) during dedicated research weeks.
In addition, Z-STAR residents are expected to fulfill the following research milestones:
| Year | Research Time | Research Expectations |
|---|---|---|
| CA0 | 2 Weeks (from ORM “on-service”) | - Establish Mentorship - IRB Approval(s) |
| CA1 | 4 Weeks (from non-OR rotations) | - FAER Resident Scholar Nomination - Presentation at UVA Anesthesiology Celebration of Research |
| CA2 | 4+ Weeks (variable) | - ASA Annual Meeting Presentation - FAER Resident Scholar Program Participation |
| CA3 | Up to 6 Months (counting towards “out of OR” electives) | - First-authored Original Research Peer-reviewed Publication - Co-authored Non-research Peer-reviewed Publication - Extramural Funding Grant Submission - Mentorship to Junior Z-STAR Resident(s) |
Application Process
Apply Now
Eligible residents are encouraged to apply to the Z-Star Resident Research Track through ERAS and NRMP.
Applicants should indicate their interest in the Z-STAR resident research track by selecting the corresponding NRMP code. Applicants are expected to have a strong research background and a commitment to a clinician-scientist career.
After screening, candidates will be invited to complete a brief supplemental application (2-page limit) due 14 days prior to their interview date.
Candidates for the Z-STAR residency research track will be invited to interview with us virtually on select interview days, with some interviews conducted by the Z-STAR faculty leadership.
All Z-STAR candidates will be considered for a categorical position inherently. We encourage candidates to rank-order the NRMP codes in order of preference.
Apply Now
Eligible residents are encouraged to apply to the Z-Star Resident Research Track through ERAS and NRMP.
Program Faculty and Contacts
-
-
Ziyad O. Knio, MD
Z-STAR Director
-
-
Stephen R. Collins, MD
Residency Program Director
-
-
Susan M. Walters, MD
Assistant Program Director of Recruitment
-
-
Robert H. Thiele, MD
Z-STAR Curriculum Development
-
-
Bhiken I. Naik, MD
Vice Chair of Clinical Research
-
-
Zhiyi Zuo, MD, PhD
Executive Vice Chair
Testimonial
My name is Dr. Ziyad Knio, and I was a STAR resident from 2020–2024. During residency, I attended national conferences annually, published 11 peer-reviewed manuscripts, and completed 3.5 months of protected research time before pursuing a fellowship in critical care medicine.
I became involved in research early in my CA0 year through mentorship, IRB work, and presentations at IARS/SOCCA and the departmental Celebration of Research. Throughout training, I expanded my academic portfolio by earning a FAER Resident Scholar Educational Grant, receiving abstract and publication awards, authoring multiple first-authored publications, presenting at ASA and IARS, and contributing a case report and invited commentary. I also submitted IRB protocols, presented grand rounds on research methods, and attended SCCM. The STAR program played a tremendous role in my development as a clinician-scientist, and I am excited for the opportunity to build upon its strong foundation and continue expanding the program as its new Program Director.
Dr. Knio’s research timeline during residency.
