Our formal Resident Research Program was established in 2003 by Dr. Michal Elovitz and continues to flourish under the leadership of Dr. Anuja Dokras. The research program at Penn enhances the educational experience by providing residents with research opportunities and development of skills, exposure to a career in academic medicine, and a one-on-one relationship with a faculty mentor. Residents receive an introduction to basic clinical research skills in a Thursday lecture series and are guided along a four-year timeline towards completion of a study and presentation at the Department’s Annual Resident Research Day. Residents may apply for research funding through a dedicated Education Fund.
Anuja Dokras, MD, PhD
Director of Resident Research
Director, Penn Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Center
Medical Director, Reproductive Surgical Facility
Director, Penn Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Program
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Program
During orientation, the incoming interns will be introduced to the concept of the research project and its importance. An overview of the program and a timeline will be described. Examples of current research projects from each division will be briefly discussed. During orientation, the incoming interns will take the required IRB course necessary for the involvement in patient research. For each year during residency, each class will meet with the residency research director in:
- January — These meetings will be used to review progress appropriate for each year, to offer guidance and suggestions. These meetings will be in addition to meetings with each individual mentor.
- In January/February of intern year, the resident research director will meet with the intern class. At this meeting, the specifics of the research timetable will be discussed. A list of potential mentors with their research interests will be distributed.
- By September of second year, a mentor must be identified and a research idea submitted including a description of the proposed project (in general terms), methods to be utilized (chart review, etc) is submitted to the director.
- By May (before Resident Research Day) of second year, a progress report must be submitted. This form will indicate (1) IRB or IACUC approval, (2) any difficulties noted or perceived in study design, and (3) resource limitations
- Research will be conducted throughout the residency with a target of preliminary data analysis occurring in the third year. A progress report should be presented in November/December of the third year to the Resident Research Committee. Ideally there will be sufficient results to allow submission to a national meeting.
- Minimum requirements are presentations in the spring of the fourth year at our annual Resident Research Day.
To learn more, please see
Excellence in Resident Research Awards
2024 - Anne Kim, MD
Lack of Adequate Counseling About Pregnancy Complications in Patients with PCOS
2023 - Margaret Rush, MD
Postoperative Epidural Anesthesia Use in Gynecological Surgery: Worth the Pain?
2022 - Abigale Garbarino, MD
The Postpartum Polaroid Project: A Mixed-Methods Study Evaluating Resident Use of Polaroid Photos as an Intervention for Mindful Interaction with Patients on Labor and Delivery
2020 - Jessica Peterson, MD
Severe Preterm Preeclampsia: An Examination of Outcomes by Race
2019 - Jennifer McCoy, MD
Effects of Obesity on Maternal and Neonatal Penicillin Levels in Women with Group B Streptococcus
2018 - Said Saab, MD
Compliance with ACOG Prophylactic Surgical Antibiotic Guidelines and Risk of Postoperative Infection Among Patients Undergoing Hysterectomy
2017 - Rebecca Hamm, MD
Institution of a Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) Bundle at an Academic Center does not Immediately Reduce Maternal Morbidity
2016 - Robert Dood, MD
Risk Factors for Surgical Treatment Delay in Women with Endometrial Cancer
2015 - Lori Cory, MD
Factors Influencing Acceptability of the HPV Vaccine Among Urban Women
2014 - Nyia Noel, MD, MPH
Risks factors for Hospital Readmission for Patients Undergoing Benign Gynecologic Surgery
2013 - Amanda Rohn, MD
Are Chorioamnionitis and Labor Dystocia Unintended Consequences of an Oxytocin Protocol?
2012 - Samantha Weed, MD
Examining the Correlation Between Placental and Serum Placenta Growth Factor in Preeclampsia
2011 - Wendy Benalt, MD
Single Umbilical Artery: Fetal and Neonatal Outcomes
2010 - Georgia McCann, MD
Clinical Predictors of Bevacizumab-Induced Gastrointestinal Perforation
Resident Research Committee