Our department offers many opportunities for students interested in emergency medicine research. Below are specific examples of research questions available for our students. Interested students should contact the faculty member listed for more information.

Buresh, Christopher MD

Traumatic Brain Injury

• Determine the effects of delta opioids on inflammation or on cognitive function in a model of traumatic brain injury
• Determine the effects of erythropoietin (Epo) on inflammation or on cognitive function in a model of traumatic brain injury
• Determine the effects of hypothermia on inflammation or on cognitive function in a model of traumatic brain injury

ATV-related injury and prevention

• Create an integrated database on ATV-related accidents and injuries in Iowa
• Perform retrospective studies to identify risk factors for ATV-related accidents and injuries

Denning, Gerene PhD

Delta opioids in extreme metabolic stress

• Measure the effects of hibernation on cardiac gene expression of endocannabinoid-related enzymes
• Determine the effects of hibernation on the Akt survival kinase in the heart
• Test the ability of endocannabinoids to protect the rat heart from myocardial infarction
• Determine whether delta opioids are anti-inflammatory in the rat heart
• Determine whether endocannabinoids are anti-inflammatory in the rat heart

Jennissen, Charles MD

Research in EMS for Children

• Determine the value of press clippings in the surveillance of ATV injuries and deaths, and to compare them with other surveillance data sets
• Determine the value of press clippings in the surveillance of ATV injuries and deaths, and to compare them with other surveillance data sets
• Evaluate the safety information and guidance provided to parents by ATV dealers and sales representatives
• Perform a retrospective study to determine the mechanisms and contributing factors of ATV-related injuries in Iowa
• ATV safety poster injury prevention project
• ATV anticipatory guidance study
• Meta-analysis of studies reporting ATV-related injuries
• Analysis of each state's ATV regulations and any special databases maintained by each state with regards to ATV injuries and death
• Survey of young people to identify their knowledge of ATV safety recommendations and state laws, and how well they follow them
• Evaluation of young ATV drivers injured in ATV mishaps compared to similar aged controls that have not been injured
• Analysis of occupational ATV related fatalities and injuries
• Development of a "FACE-like" ATV crash on-site investigation program
• Development of ATV simulator-based accident studies to test for risk factors in children
• Evaluation of adult and pediatric ATV-related head injuries and the management they received prior to tertiary center arrival

Graber, Mark MD

Improving communication between patients and ED staff to increase satisfaction and compliance

• Structured review of the literature on rib belts and pneumonia
• Structured review of the literature on sensitivity of ultrasound for ovarian torsion
• What is a “normal” lactate in patients getting chemotherapy?
• Assessing patient knowledge and satisfaction based on an explicit permission to ask questions
• Determining the basis for physician recommended follow-up
• What questions do ED staff have for the clinical pharmacist, how often are they consulted, and how many requests for consultation go unanswered?
• Does weight-based vancomycin dosing in the ED affect hospital length of stay?
• Testing the effects of benzonatate as pain medication for neuropathic pain (in collaboration with Tim Brennan, Anesthesia)