Below is the list of 2026 Summer Research Opportunities available at DH/Geisel and affiliates. More projects will be added as they are available so check back frequently.
Please contact the PIs directly if interested. Please contact no more than two PIs at a time so that all students have an equitable opportunity to have a summer project.
Students should communicate directly with the PI and should include a letter of interest and CV. The more detailed and specific the letter of intent, the greater the chance that the student will be selected for the project. Medical CV examples are included on the resources page of the website.
Summer Projects 2026
Students: Please contact the investigators directly or through admin if you are interested in their projects. The selection process will be at the discretion of the PI.
Students are suggested to enclose a CV and specifically address why they would like to be involved in the project. Students should only reach out to no more than two projects to maintain equity amongst classmates.
Posted Apr/24/2026
Drs. David Cockrum, Karen Huyck, and Ian Porter
The literature suggests “soft skills” as the main return-to-work coordinator competencies but methodological issues with prior studies and new experience with the RETAIN return-to-work program indicate medical, analytical, and other “hard skills” as well as a deep understanding of local and regional resources are needed to optimize patient work outcomes. This paper proposes an update to the prevailing ideas about work coordination skills, which has important implications as Medicaid work requirements are slated to take effect at the end of the year and states are gearing up for workforce initiatives as part of their CMS Rural Health Transformation projects. This opportunity involves working with an expert work-health coach and performing literature searches, doing analysis, writing, and formatting a paper for publication.
This project involves conducting and writing a retrospective review of cases of traumatic work injuries in which Eidetic Memory Reprocessing (EMR), a short-course limbic-based trauma recovery treatment, was provided to the patient and their pre- and post-treatment work status. There is an opportunity to be involved in developing a training course for mental health providers in this unique method for functional recovery after trauma.• Return-to-Work Coordination App Development – Collaborate with the DALI Lab to build a patient-centered care coordination app supporting patient work ability.
This project involves taking an inventory of languages used by New England states for their employment resources and compare it to languages into which state health information is translated. Is employment information translated into the same and as many languages as health information? How do these languages compare to languages most commonly spoken in the state? Are these languages similar to the languages spoken by people receiving Social Security long-term work disability benefits? This inventory will help identify gaps in dissemination of employment information and inform the languages into which future New England work disability prevention program materials should be translated. This opportunity can involve writing a paper with the results of the analysis.
Posted Feb/16/2026
Katie E. Lichter, MD, MPH
Radiation Oncology & Health Policy
Dartmouth Cancer Center | Geisel School of Medicine
Mentor: Dr. Katie Lichter
Mentor: Dr. Katie Lichter
Mentor: The Dartmouth Sustainability Office in collaboration with Dr. Katie Lichter
Mentor: Dr. Katie Lichter
Posted Feb/10/2026
FACULTY AND DEPARTMENT NAME
Section of Occupational and Environmental Medicine , Department of Medicine
Projects PI : Dr. Karen Huyck , Karen.L.Huyck@dartmouth.edu
Admin : Bailey Starr , Bailey.D.Starr@hitchcock.org
Projects related to work as a key social driver of health:
• Project ECHO for Rural Health Transformation Workforce Education Topics
Faculty contact name and email address : James B. Yu MD MHS, james.b.yu@hitchcock.org
Administrative support contact name and email address : Carrie Hertel, carrie.d.hertel@hitchcock.org
Department of Radiation Oncology and Applied Sciences
Project title and description
National evolution of prostate cancer and presentation for radiotherapy 2004-2022:
Prostate cancer spans a wide spectrum of severity from indolent to aggressive disease. Shifts in diagnostics and treatment approaches over the past two decades may have altered how and when patients present for different therapies. Using the NCDB, we will track trends in disease risk and treatment patterns over nearly two decades, particularly focusing on how the mix of patients receiving surgery or radiotherapy has changed. We hypothesize that high-risk patients were increasingly funneled toward radiotherapy in the mid-period, with a potential swing back toward surgery more recently as surgical approaches have become more aggressive. This analysis will reveal the evolving landscape of prostate cancer management and how risk and treatment intersect over time.
FACULTY AND DEPARTMENT NAME:
PI- Prof. Sergey Bratus
Co-PI - Malcolm Schongalla, MD , Malcolm.S.Schongalla@dartmouth.edu
Dartmouth Institute for Security, Technology and Society and the Computer Science Department Admin contact - Julia.D.Ganson@dartmouth.edu
Stakeholder Climate Assessment:
Conduct surveys and semi-structured interviews of rural patients and providers to understand values surrounding health care data "Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability." The "CIA Triad" is a canonical construct of cybersecurity under which standard doctrine may often favor "confidentiality" to the detriment of "availability." There is a gap in the literature as to whether this approach aligns with clinician and patient priorities. Therefore, empiric evidence of stakeholder values is needed to validate or realign traditional disaster recovery best practices. Expected outcome: develop an empiric, rural, stakeholder value model for prioritizing hospital cybersecurity requirements and recovery plans.
Disaster Modeling:
Model the impact of hypothetical hospital Cyber Duress & Disaster (CDD) scenarios in Vermont and New Hampshire on multiple, rural, system-level outcomes. Data on hospital capacity and utilization, geospatial analytic tools, and multilevel mixed-effects modeling will be applied. Multiple data sources will be used including from the CDC Research Data Center, CMS, AHRQ HCUP, and the UMN THREAT database. Outcomes of interest include EMS and interfacility transport times, ED and inpatient capacity utilization, ED diversion rates, adjacent facility utilization, rate of denied transfer, and "blast radius" estimation. Expected outcome: creation of a risk stratification database of rural communities based on predicted outcomes. Hypothesis: rurality and remoteness is associated with increased resource strain under CDD conditions. Hypothesis: CDD-adjacent facilities will experience increased resource strain and harmed health outcomes associated with impairment of the primary facility. (Contingent upon access to relevant datasets)
IT training effectiveness (literature review):
Scoping review on breadth and effectiveness of clinical user IT training programs for preventing malware breaches and data loss events. Specific to non-IT-professional users of clinical information systems (patients, doctors, nurses, administrators). Expected outcome: Scoping review paper.
Medical device reverse engineering:
Select a portable electronic medical device with an embedded operating system, and apply technical reverse engineering techniques, along with knowledge of clinical workflows and medicine, to explore potential patient safety hazards as well as hardware, firmware, and networking vulnerabilities. Expected outcome: discovery of safety, security & privacy strengths & weaknesses of an FDA-approved medical device.
FACULTY AND DEPARTMENT NAME:
Tim Burdick MD MBA MSc
Timothy.E.Burdick@hitchcock.org
Department name: Community & Family Medicine/Biomedical Data Science
Research Overview and Student Participation
Dr. Burdick is a family physician and entrepreneur. His research lies at the intersection of family medicine, population health, and rural/global healthcare delivery - with an emphasis on novel technology applications. Currently, he is helping develop several, innovative products: (1) a medical device to detect fractures, to be used in rural and frontier clinics; and (2) a phone app that uses AI to predict body composition (muscle mass, fat %) from user-generated data and photographs; (3) a ChatBot that interacts with patients to help them communicate effectively with their family physician/PCP.
There are several opportunities for students, depending on interests. The Lab is especially eager to work with students with interests in machine learning, phone app development, engineering, rural or global health, patient-physician communication, metacognition of medical decision making, fitness and health apps, orthopedics, entrepreneurship and business.
PI : Maureen B. Boardman, MSN, FNP-C, FAANP
Clinical Research Director NNE CO-OP PCBRN
Clinical Assistant Professor of Community and Family Medicine
Email : Maureen.B.Boardman@dartmouth.edu
Project 1 : My clinic has a food farmacy and we are currently surveying our 100+ patients who are receiving food deliveries from the food farmacy. We would like to have a student helping survey the patients and then also help writing up the findings with the opportunity to be a first author on the research paper.
Project 2 : My clinic also has a shared care model for prenatal/obstetrics care. We have had about 15 patients deliver at DH using this shared care model. We are currently working on a survey for our patients who received their pre-natal care through this shared care model. There would again be an opportunity to be the first author on the research paper that results from the survey.
Medical Education : Undergraduate Medical Education (UME)
Population Health : Harmonizing and Enhancing Geisel’s Population Health
Faculty contact name and email address:
Matt Mackwood, MD MPH
Module Leader, Synthesis & Scholarship, Population Health
Associate Professor, Department of Community & Family Medicine
matthew.b.mackwood@hitchcock.org
Administrative support contact name and email address:
Emily Godfrey
Medical Education Coordinator
Project title and description:
Population Health (formerly Patients & Populations)’s phase 1 curricula has undergone a multi-faceted update in the last two years, including the inauguration and integration of scholarly projects and an increased emphasis on healthcare payment and delivery. The M2 portion of this longitudinal course aims to synthesize, extend and apply lessons learned in the M1 curricula in the context of applied population health cases on the following topics: race & bias in healthcare; maternal health disparities; global health research & ethics; disinformation and vaccine hesitancy; the opioid epidemic; and adverse childhood experiences. As the preceding courses evolve it is necessary to streamline and update case content and expectations for student assignments and in-class exercises accordingly. Working with Dr. Mackwood as a primary mentor but also in collaboration with the population health team, including M1 module leaders and overall course director Dr. Julie Taylor, a summer research student can help the team with identifying opportunities to enhance alignment of course material across modules to meet course learning objectives and improving documentation of course content and procedures, for example in the systems module where we anticipate a change in module leader after next year. Population Health will undergo an extensive course review next year and the summer student could further help to prepare summaries of course content to maximize the opportunities for feedback and development that will bring.
Total = 200 hours. Deliverables would include recommendations for course content (canvas page, assignment format, classroom discussion prompt) changes, with potential for a conference abstract or manuscript to describe current innovations in the population health course.
FACULTY AND DEPARTMENT NAME
Vincent Pellegrini
Department of Orthopaedics
Vincent.D.Pellegrini.Jr@dartmouth.edu
Samantha Snitker, Admin Support
Department of Orthopaedics
Samantha.L.Snitker@hitchcock.org
1) The Pulmonary Embolism Prevention after Hip and Knee Replacement (PEPPER) Trial: A comparative effectiveness study, funded by PCORI. This 19,000 patient multi-center randomized clinical trial closed enrollment in December, 2024, completed follow-up in September, 2025, and is currently in the data analysis and writing phase. The summer of 2026 will be a time when the primary outcomes will be submitted and we will begin work on a host of secondary manuscripts. These outcomes will include pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, all cause mortality, and bleeding complications related to anticoagulation difference between type of surgery, type of anesthesia, variation in patient-reported outcomes after joint replacement surgery addressing functional capabilities, their relationship to venous thromboembolic complications, and many other factors such as underlying co-morbidities and socioeconomic determinants of health. The interested student may suggest and design their own questions for study in this patient cohort or participate in analyses of preplanned research questions.
2) Restoration of Thumb Strength in Basal Joint Arthritis: A Comparative Effectiveness Trial. This observational pilot study for a prospective clinical trial (PCORI) comparing outcomes following different surgical reconstruction procedures for thumb basal joint osteoarthritis seeks to understand the course of patient-reported postoperative improvement in function as compared with objectively determined improvement in strength as a tool to inform choice of surgical procedure for this condition. This study has been ongoing for nearly 5 years and has recruited more than 100 patients to date with a substantial cohort now entering their two year follow-up assessment that will allow meaningful analysis of outcomes. Comparison of strength improvement following a pre-operative lidocaine injection with post-operative strength improvement seeks to inform surgical procedure choice for individual patients. The interested student will be involved in analysis of 1 - 2 year postoperative outcomes and assessment of response to preoperative lidocaine injection as a predictor of postoperative outcomes as well as patient subsets involving particular disease characteristics.
Department name:
Department of Molecular & Systems Biology
Faculty contact name and email address:
Suzannah Gerber, PhD
Research Scientist
suzannah.gerber@dartmouth.edu
Administrative support contact name and email address:
Cheryl Bush
Cheryl.A.Bush@dartmouth.edu
Project Title
Food Choices and Nutrition: Priorities, Diet Quality, and Health Outcomes
Project Description
This summer research project will engage a student in applied nutrition and population health research using existing datasets, including nationally representative public datasets (e.g., NHANES) and nutrition behavior surveys. The student will contribute to data cleaning, harmonization, and analysis, including applying survey weights, calculating diet quality and translational health indices (e.g., HEI, SAVoRed), and generating population-level insights related to diet, nutrition, and health outcomes. This project is well suited for students with interests or skills in biostatistics, epidemiology, data analysis, or nutrition research, and offers hands-on experience translating complex datasets into meaningful health insights. Authorship is available, commensurate with contribution.
Department of Surgery
2026 Richard W. Dow Student Research Scholarship in Surgery
Students can submit their applications to me at DOSResearch@hitchcock.org.
DOSResearch@hitchcock.org is for the formal applications. Students should reach out to the investigators directly prior to submitting an application to discuss.
- Applications are due 2/27/2026
- We plan to notify recipients around the end of March 2026
PI: Florian Schroeck
Florian.R.Schroeck@hitchcock.org
The student will be involved in research activities related to improving care for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. This might involve working with existing quantitative or qualitative data or being involved with an ongoing clinical trial.
Further information on the project can be found here:
https://prevention.cancer.gov/funding-and-grants/funded-grants/R37CA275916 [prevention.cancer.gov] [prevention.cancer.gov]
Depending on interest and timing, the student will get experience in participant recruitment, data abstraction/collection, qualitative or quantitative data analyses, literature search related to the project, or drafting of presentations, abstracts, or manuscripts related to the research. It is important to note that a commitment is needed at least 3 months prior to the start of the summer break, so that we can assure all necessary training and privileges are in place for the student to get access to VA data and participate in VA research activities.
Faculty contact name and email address
Joseph Paydarfar, MD
Joseph.A.Paydarfar@hitchcock.org
| Project 1:
Faculty contact name and email address Joseph Paydarfar, MD Joseph.A.Paydarfar@hitchcock.org Research support contact name and email address: Micki Geffert Michaela.M.Geffert@hitchcock.org Project title and description (what will the student do on this project?): Beacon Localization Comparison This project focuses on evaluating and comparing wireless tumor localization systems, typically utilized for breast lumpectomy procedures, with the goal of identifying the most effective technology for head and neck applications. Current systems such as Sentimag and Savi Scout have already undergone benchtop and cadaver testing within our lab, and upcoming work will include trials of the EnVisio and Stryker Molli systems. Building on prior benchtop and cadaver studies, the team will evaluate detection accuracy, signal reliability, depth penetration, and usability across systems, with upcoming cadaver-based robotic resections serving as a key experimental component. The medical student will assist with study design, hands-on data collection during benchtop and cadaver experiments, and quantitative analysis of localization performance. Additional responsibilities may include analyzing existing internal data, assisting with development and evaluation of localization algorithms, reviewing relevant literature, and helping refine experimental protocols as new systems are trialed. The ultimate goal of this work is to formally document and publish comparative findings in a peer-reviewed manuscript to guide future clinical adoption of beacon-based localization technologies. |
Project 2:
Faculty contact name and email address Joseph Paydarfar, MD Joseph.A.Paydarfar@hitchcock.org
Research support contact name and email address: Micki Geffert Michaela.M.Geffert@hitchcock.org
Project title and description (what will the student do on this project?): TORS Specimen Imaging and Orientation Identifying and maintaining the orientation of transorally-resected primary tumor specimens is critical to interpreting the anatomical context of positive surgical margins, and has implications for precisely targeting adjuvant therapies. Digital pathology solutions proposed in the literature generally leverage commercial 3D scanners that disrupt both surgical and pathology workflows. Our group has received NIH funding to evaluate the feasibility of developing 3D specimen models directly from endoscopic video captured via surgical robotic systems in TORS. The medical student assistant will contribute to development and bench-level evaluation of 3D modeling, VR/immersive model annotation, and margin mapping technologies in the laboratory, as well as extension of existing protocols for clinical evaluation. We aim to publish results of this work in both clinical and technical journals.
|
Faculty contact name and email address
James Saunders MD
James.E.Saunders@hitchcock.org
Research support contact name and email address:
Micki Geffert
Michaela.M.Geffert@hitchcock.org
Project 1 : Vestibular Referral Process
Patients referred for dizziness and vertigo often enter ENT care through a structured vestibular triage process at DHMC, yet the effectiveness of this process in predicting final diagnoses has not been well characterized. This retrospective chart review aims to identify all patients triaged for vestibular-related concerns based on diagnosis codes and free-text referral information, and to evaluate their outcomes within the DHMC care pathway. The study will examine referral volumes, triage decisions, questionnaire completion, referral denials, and final clinical diagnoses to assess how well the vestibular questionnaire and triage workflow align with diagnostic outcomes. The student will perform detailed chart review, data abstraction, and data analysis under faculty mentorship. This project provides experience in clinical outcomes research, workflow evaluation, and quality improvement in an otolaryngology setting.
Project 2 : Development of a Swahili Dichotic Digits Test for Central Auditory Processing Assessment
The Dichotic Digits Test (DDT) is a well-established auditory clinical tool used to assess central auditory processing, particularly binaural integration and brainstem and cortical auditory pathway function. The DDT consists of presenting different digit pairs simultaneous to each ear, requiring the listener to recall them. Prior work in our lab has demonstrated that DDT performance is a strong predictor of central auditory processing deficits, including in populations exposed to environmental neurotoxicants such as heavy metals. This project aims to develop a Swahili-language version of the DDT to support ongoing and planned research examining the relationship between heavy metal exposure and central auditory processing deficits in East Africa. The work will involve generating or sourcing Swahili digit audio files, adapting them into a validated dichotic testing format, and integrating the test into an existing tablet-based auditory testing platform (WHATS/TabSINT). The student will collaborate with faculty, engineers, and audiology researchers to manage audio file development, software integration, and pilot testing, gaining experience at the intersection of auditory neuroscience, global health research, and clinical technology development. A student who has experience with or an interest in programming would be well suited for this project.
Project 3 : CT Scans in Pediatric Balloon Dilation Cases
Balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube (BDET) is increasingly used to treat Eustachian tube dysfunction, including in pediatric patients, yet the role of preoperative CT imaging in this setting remains unclear. Although CT scans are often obtained to evaluate temporal bone anatomy and carotid artery position, the balloon catheter is designed to remain within the cartilaginous portion of the Eustachian tube and not extend into the bony segment where major vascular structures are located. This raises important questions about whether routine CT imaging meaningfully alters surgical decision-making or improves safety in pediatric BDET. This project will involve a retrospective review of pediatric balloon dilation cases at DHMC to assess imaging findings, identify any anatomic variants or contraindications noted on CT, and determine whether imaging results led to changes in management or surgical planning. The student will assist with chart review, imaging review with a radiologist and neurotologist, literature synthesis, and data analysis, with the goal of clarifying the clinical utility of CT imaging and informing evidence-based practice in pediatric otolaryngology.
Reto Baertschiger, MD, PhD
Pediatric surgery
My email is: reto.m.baertschiger@hitchcock.org.
Research projects – Summer Student – Pediatric Surgery – Department of Surgery
The division of pediatric general surgery would like to welcome one summer student (possibly two) to be part of our division and participate in one or several research projects.
We will have opportunities to work on three different projects including pediatric general surgery / Quality, pediatric surgical oncology, pediatric trauma care.
- Pediatric General Surgery and quality of care in rural settings:
Pediatric surgery treats frequent surgical problems in children and we are part of a rural healthcare system. We have identified that non-pediatric hospital seem to use CT scans more frequently to diagnose appendicitis and that there may be a less pediatric oriented approach to most imaging approaches. We are also trying to transfer children to our pediatric hospital when able, though not every teenager needs to be treated by pediatric surgery if they have a frequent surgical problem that adult surgeons are trained to treat. We established a map of all hospitals in our system, and plan to do further QI project to look at pediatric surgical care and access in our rural Healthcare system. Reviews of the literature (systematic or scoping reviews) can also be part of the summer project if the student is interested in getting deeper understanding of a specific subject in quality or rural healthcare pathways in pediatric surgical specialties.
- Pediatric Surgical Oncology:
We are part of pediatric surgical oncology consortium (www.psorc.org) and plan to have further collaborative work with the consortium. Several studies will be implemented and we will participate as able and our student will help do chart reviews, enter data in REDCap. These projects will be side project to one of the main projects the student choses.
- Pediatric Trauma:
We are a level 2 pediatric trauma center and participate in local research and with other centers through consortia. We have ongoing projects, including the epidemiology of Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury in children, post-traumatic behavioral changes and plan to review ski and snowboard accidents, sledding accidents in children, and mountain bike injuries in teenagers to analyze if these sport injuries follow certain patterns.
The student duties and involvement:
The selected student(s) will participate in data collection, data analysis and manuscript drafting on one or multiple projects. The goal is also to submit an abstract to a local and hopefully national conference. The student will be required to take the CITI Good Clinical Practice in research course, as requested by our IRB. The student will also be able to participate in our tumor board, regular learning opportunities such as grand rounds and divisional education opportunities – case discussions, journal club etc.
Attending Supervisor: Thamolwan Surakiatchanukul, MD (Ophthalmology), 2026
Title: Infectious Retinitis: Clinical Course and Outcomes in a Rural Setting
Background:
Infectious retinitis can be caused by viral (cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus), bacterial (syphilis, tuberculosis), parasitic, and fungal organisms. It remains a significant cause of visual morbidity, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Expanding use of immunosuppressive therapy and transplantation has increased these opportunistic intraocular infections. Prompt recognition and treatment are necessary to avoid delayed diagnosis and permanent vision loss. Currently, there is a relative paucity of data examining infectious retinal diseases in rural populations. This project is aimed at characterizing the presentation and clinical course of infectious retinitis to identify gaps in care and optimize treatment strategies in a rural healthcare setting.
Objectives:
- Describe the initial presentation and clinical course of patients with infectious retinitis in the rural healthcare setting
- Evaluate the visual outcomes and complications
- Identify risk factors associated with more favorable or poorer outcomes
Data of interest:
Immune status & comorbidities
Presenting symptoms, vision, and eye exam (slit lamp and dilated ophthalmoscopy)
Results of lab work & neuro-imaging such as brain CT/MRI (if applicable)
Medical and surgical intervention i.e. systemic treatment, intravitreal injection, retinal surgery, etc.
Involvement of interdisciplinary care team i.e. infectious disease specialist, etc.
Final vision, and eye exam (slit lamp and dilated ophthalmoscopy exam)
Student role:
Prepare and lead IRB protocol submission (student will work directly with the supervising attending)
Collect clinical data
Prepare presentation & manuscript for at least 1 national meeting (optional, highly encouraged)
Transplantation Immunology and Outcomes Research
PI: Abraham Matar, MD
Email: Abraham.J.Matar@hitchcock.org
Our lab is seeking interested medical students for a summer research opportunity in transplantation immunology and clinical outcomes research. Our group integrates mechanistic bench science, preclinical models, and large-scale clinical databases to address key challenges in kidney, pancreas, and liver transplantation. Students will have the opportunity to work on basic science mouse transplant models investigating new immunosuppressive drugs, with exposure to experimental design, sample processing, and data analysis in a collaborative team environment.
There will also be opportunities to participate in traditional clinical transplant outcomes research, including studies that use national registries and institutional databases to define risk factors, long-term outcomes, and best practices in solid organ transplantation. Depending on interests and prior experience, students may focus on either basic science, outcomes research, or a blended experience, and will receive close mentorship with the goal of producing a scholarly product such as an abstract, poster, or manuscript by the end of the summer.
Morhardt Lab
PI: Duncan Morhardt, MD
Email: Duncan.R.Morhardt@hitchcock.org
Developmental study of zebrafish vascular and neuronal inputs into bladder.
Bladder disease affects millions of people worldwide. For many patients, the bladder conditions are a result of impaired neuronal function and thus many treatments for bladder disease involve modulating neurologic control. Models of neurologic bladder disease are currently limited to mammals but zebrafish offer numerous advantages over mammals including transparency in development, high fecundity, and sophisticated genetic tools usually only found in invertebrates. Our lab has made the exciting discovery of a urinary bladder in zebrafish and have functionally documented its contractions, principle genetic markers, and anatomy are similar to mammals. We have also identified expression of conserved neuronal genes in developing and adult zebrafish bladders. However, in order to solidify this as compelling model for vertebrate bladder function, parallels in neuronal architecture, from the protein translation and localization to efferent axonal projections, must be assessed. We are initiating a comprehensive immunohistochemical and live imaging assessment of developing and adult zebrafish bladder to fully characterize the expression, and functional implications, of neurologic inputs into bladder. This proposal will leverage our new understanding of a zebrafish urinary bladder to utilize its advantages in high-throughput phenotyping, drug discovery, and mechanistic investigations.
We are excited announce this opportunity for a motivated Geisel student join our team and help move this critical research forward. Students should have some experience and understanding of bench research and attention to detail. Those interested in urology are particularly encouraged to apply. The goals of this summer project will be to 1) optimize immunohistochemistry (for select antibodies) on specimens of zebrafish bladder, 2) Perform serial live imaging of developing and mature zebrafish, 2) examine and interpret images with the help of the PI, and 3) complete an abstract for the work to be submitted at a regional or national meeting. This study, while straightforward, is designed to engage the student in relatively “bite-sized”, rigorous science to maximize understanding, learning, and success.
Faculty contact name and email address
Ryan Little, MD
Research support contact name and email address:
Micki Geffert
Michaela.M.Geffert@hitchcock.org
Project title and description (what will the student do on this project?):
Do Smell Tests Reflect Patient Experience? A Comparative Analysis of Olfactory Assessment Tools
Olfactory dysfunction is an important and often underrecognized contributor to quality of life, nutrition, and safety across a wide range of patient populations, yet the relationship between patient-reported symptoms and olfactory testing remains incompletely understood. This project will leverage data from an existing prospective adult cystic fibrosis (CF) study to examine how patient-reported olfactory impact, measured using the Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders (QOD), correlates with olfactory function assessed using two testing modalities: the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) and Sniffin’ Sticks (TDI). Because UPSIT and Sniffin’ Sticks were used during different phases of the study, this analysis will compare how well each test aligns with patient-reported quality-of-life impact. The student will conduct data extraction, descriptive and comparative statistical analyses, and a focused literature review to evaluate concordance between measures in each testing phase. This project offers experience in secondary data analysis, outcomes research, and clinical olfactory assessment, with the goal of producing an abstract and manuscript to inform best practices in olfactory testing beyond the CF population.
Eric Holmgren DMD,MD, FACS
Email: Eric.P.Holmgren@hitchcock.org
Department of Otolaryngology/Maxillofacial Surgery
Project Title: Patient Perception of Nasal Breathing Improvement Following Maxillomandibular Advancement
Project Description: Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) is an established surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea and severe dentofacial deformities. Beyond enlarging the posterior airway space, MMA frequently alters nasal airflow through maxillary advancement and changes in nasal valve geometry. While objective airway improvements have been demonstrated, patient-reported outcomes related to nasal breathing are less well defined.
This project will evaluate patient perception of nasal breathing before and after MMA using validated patient-reported outcome measures. A primary goal is to develop a prospective study design assessing subjective nasal airflow changes and their relationship to surgical movements and clinical variables. The project will also emphasize multidisciplinary collaboration, coordinating with colleagues in the Department of Otolaryngology to build a collaborative research team and align outcome measures.
Student Role: The medical student will participate in all phases of the project, including literature review, development of a prospective study protocol and IRB submission, coordination with otolaryngology collaborators, patient identification and recruitment, administration of validated nasal breathing questionnaires (e.g., NOSE scale), data analysis, and preparation of an abstract and manuscript.
Educational Value: This project provides hands-on experience in prospective clinical outcomes research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and academic scholarship. The scope is appropriate for a 6–7 week summer research experience and has strong potential to result in abstracts and peer-reviewed publications.
FACULTY AND DEPARTMENT NAME:
Jennifer Hong, M.D.
Neurosurgery
Project 1: Understanding the relationship between interhospital transfer and surgical outcomes.
This is a clinical research project that builds on earlier work which discovered that patient outcomes for acute surgical diagnoses are worse for patients who are transferred from outside hospitals compared to those who present primarily to the emergency department, even after adjusting for other predictors of poor outcome such as disease severity. I am interested in analyzing data from national and institutional databases to better understand why inter-hospital transfers are associated with poor outcome and to identify ways to improve the mechanisms for transfer in healthcare delivery. This is particularly important in rural academic healthcare systems which have a high rate of transfers. A student who is involved in this project would be working closely with me to review patient charts, plan analyses and write and present findings.
Project 2: Understanding brain tumor microenvironment using spatial transcriptomics
This is a translation project that seeks to understand how the brain tumor microenvironment gives rise to neurologic symptoms, such as seizures. We will use patient derived specimens and multi-omics to understand the impact of brain tumors on surrounding tissues. A computational background is highly encouraged.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Other summer projects in Surgery
Pediatric Surgery , Department of Surgery
Reto Baertschiger, MD, PhD
Pediatric surgery
Email : reto.m.baertschiger@hitchcock.org.
The division of pediatric general surgery would like to welcome one summer student (possibly two) to be part of our division and participate in one or several research projects.
We will have opportunities to work on three different projects including pediatric general surgery / Quality, pediatric surgical oncology, pediatric trauma care.
- Pediatric General Surgery and quality of care in rural settings: Pediatric surgery treats frequent surgical problems in children and we are part of a rural healthcare system. We have identified that non-pediatric hospital seem to use CT scans more frequently to diagnose appendicitis and that there may be a less pediatric oriented approach to most imaging approaches. We are also trying to transfer children to our pediatric hospital when able, though not every teenager needs to be treated by pediatric surgery if they have a frequent surgical problem that adult surgeons are trained to treat. We established a map of all hospitals in our system, and plan to do further QI project to look at pediatric surgical care and access in our rural Healthcare system. Reviews of the literature (systematic or scoping reviews) can also be part of the summer project if the student is interested in getting deeper understanding of a specific subject in quality or rural healthcare pathways in pediatric surgical specialties.
- Pediatric Surgical Oncology: We are part of pediatric surgical oncology consortium (www.psorc.org) and plan to have further collaborative work with the consortium. Several studies will be implemented and we will participate as able and our student will help do chart reviews, enter data in REDCap. These projects will be side project to one of the main projects the student choses.
- Pediatric Trauma: We are a level 2 pediatric trauma center and participate in local research and with other centers through consortia. We have ongoing projects, including the epidemiology of Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury in children, post-traumatic behavioral changes and plan to review ski and snowboard accidents, sledding accidents in children, and mountain bike injuries in teenagers to analyze if these sport injuries follow certain patterns.
The student duties and involvement:
The selected student(s) will participate in data collection, data analysis and manuscript drafting on one or multiple projects. The goal is also to submit an abstract to a local and hopefully national conference. The student will be required to take the CITI Good Clinical Practice in research course, as requested by our IRB. The student will also be able to participate in our tumor board, regular learning opportunities such as grand rounds and divisional education opportunities – case discussions, journal club etc.
Ophthalmology Research
Attending Supervisor: Thamolwan Surakiatchanukul, MD (Ophthalmology), 2026
Title: Infectious Retinitis: Clinical Course and Outcomes in a Rural Setting
Background:
Infectious retinitis can be caused by viral (cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus), bacterial (syphilis, tuberculosis), parasitic, and fungal organisms. It remains a significant cause of visual morbidity, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Expanding use of immunosuppressive therapy and transplantation has increased these opportunistic intraocular infections. Prompt recognition and treatment are necessary to avoid delayed diagnosis and permanent vision loss. Currently, there is a relative paucity of data examining infectious retinal diseases in rural populations. This project is aimed at characterizing the presentation and clinical course of infectious retinitis to identify gaps in care and optimize treatment strategies in a rural healthcare setting.
Objectives:
- Describe the initial presentation and clinical course of patients with infectious retinitis in the rural healthcare setting
- Evaluate the visual outcomes and complications
- Identify risk factors associated with more favorable or poorer outcomes
Data of interest:
- Immune status & comorbidities
- Presenting symptoms, vision, and eye exam (slit lamp and dilated ophthalmoscopy)
- Results of lab work & neuro-imaging such as brain CT/MRI (if applicable)
- Medical and surgical intervention i.e. systemic treatment, intravitreal injection, retinal surgery, etc.
- Involvement of interdisciplinary care team i.e. infectious disease specialist, etc.
- Final vision, and eye exam (slit lamp and dilated ophthalmoscopy exam)
Student role:
- Prepare and lead IRB protocol submission (student will work directly with the supervising attending)
- Collect clinical data
- Prepare presentation & manuscript for at least 1 national meeting (optional, highly encouraged)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Otolaryngology
Faculty Contact Name and Email: James Saunders, MD, james.e.saunders@hitchcock.org
Administrative Support Contact Name and Email: Micki Geffert, michaela.m.geffert@hitchcock.org
Student Liaison Contact Name and Email: Taylor Cooper, taylor.a.cooper.med@dartmouth.edu
Department Name: Otolaryngology
Project Title: Prepping for People
Project Description + Student Role
Hair plays a significant role in personal, cultural, and social identity, yet perioperative training on the care of Black, Natural, and Afro-textured hair (BNAH) remains limited within surgical settings. Building on the Prepping for People (P4P) initiative and a 2025 AAO podium-presented study conducted at a large rural academic medical center, this project aims to expand assessment of perioperative knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to BNAH to additional partner institutions and health systems. Prior survey results demonstrated that while nearly all perioperative staff recognize the importance of hair to patient identity, the majority feel underprepared to discuss or manage BNAH in the surgical setting, and few have received formal training. The summer student will assist with coordinating survey dissemination across partner institutions, performing data cleaning and analysis, and contributing to interpretation of findings across diverse clinical environments. There will be opportunities to participate in abstract and manuscript preparation for publication, as well as contribute to the early development of educational or CME-based resources aimed at improving equity, cultural humility, and perioperative care for patients with diverse hair textures.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Psychiatry Research Project
Admin Contact:
Diana J. Wallin, PhD , Diana.J.Wallin@hitchcock.org
Tiffany L. Gilbert , Tiffany.L.Gilbert@hitchcock.org
Students interested in conducting research in the Department of Psychiatry may explore a wide range of topics, including brain stimulation and psychotherapy, trauma-informed care, digital mental health tools, caregiver support and music therapy, GI behavioral health, and interventions for dementia, PTSD, and serious mental illness.
Interested students are encouraged to reach out directly to the department’s administrative team for additional information and to connect with the appropriate PI.
Orthopedics Research
Orthopaedics-Sports Medicine Experience
Faculty contact name and email address
Daniel A. Austin, Daniel.C.Austin@hitchcock.org
John-Erik Bell, John-Erik.Bell@hitchcock.org
Timothy J. Lin, Timothy.J.Lin@hitchcock.org
Administrative support contact name and email address
Holly Symonds, Holly.B.Symonds@Hitchcock.org
Project title and description
Orthopaedic Experience to include the following tasks
-
-
-
- Literature review and background writing
- IRB preparation
- Data collection, radiographic measurements, patient phone calls
- Manuscript preparation
- Poster design
-
-
Orthopaedics- Hand and Pediatric Ortho Experience
Faculty contact name and email address
Rameez A. Qudsi, Rameez.A.Qudsi@hitchcock.org
Vincent D. Pellegrini Jr., Vincent.D.Pellegrini.Jr@dartmouth.edu
Lance G. Warhold, Lance.G.Warhold@hitchcock.org
Administrative support contact name and email address
Holly Symonds, Holly.B.Symonds@Hitchcock.org
Project title and description
-
-
-
- Literature review and background writing
- IRB preparation
- Data collection, radiographic measurements, patient phone calls
- Manuscript preparation
- Poster design
-
-
Orthopaedics- Lower Extremity Arthroplasty Experience
Faculty contact name and email address
Wayne E. Moschetti, Wayne.E.Moschetti@hitchcock.org
Rakesh R. Veerareddy, Rakesh.R.Veerareddy@hitchcock.org
Administrative support contact name and email address
Holly Symonds, Holly.B.Symonds@Hitchcock.org
Project title and description
-
-
-
- Literature review and background writing
- IRB preparation
- Data collection, radiographic measurements, patient phone calls
- Manuscript preparation
- Poster design
-
-
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
ENT Research : Surgery – Otolaryngology
Dr. Paydarfar:
Faculty contact name and email address
Joseph Paydarfar, MD
Joseph.A.Paydarfar@hitchcock.org
Research support contact name and email address:
Micki Geffert
Michaela.M.Geffert@hitchcock.org
Administrative support contact name and email address
Shannon M. Bagley
Shannon.M.Bagley@hitchcock.org
Project 1: Beacon Localization Comparison
This project focuses on evaluating and comparing wireless tumor localization systems, typically utilized for breast lumpectomy procedures, with the goal of identifying the most effective technology for head and neck applications. Current systems such as Sentimag and Savi Scout have already undergone benchtop and cadaver testing within our lab, and upcoming work will include trials of the EnVisio and Stryker Molli systems. Building on prior benchtop and cadaver studies, the team will evaluate detection accuracy, signal reliability, depth penetration, and usability across systems, with upcoming cadaver-based robotic resections serving as a key experimental component. The medical student will assist with study design, hands-on data collection during benchtop and cadaver experiments, and quantitative analysis of localization performance. Additional responsibilities may include analyzing existing internal data, assisting with development and evaluation of localization algorithms, reviewing relevant literature, and helping refine experimental protocols as new systems are trialed. The ultimate goal of this work is to formally document and publish comparative findings in a peer-reviewed manuscript to guide future clinical adoption of beacon-based localization technologies.
Project 2: TORS Specimen Imaging and Orientation
Identifying and maintaining the orientation of transorally-resected primary tumor specimens is critical to interpreting the anatomical context of positive surgical margins, and has implications for precisely targeting adjuvant therapies. Digital pathology solutions proposed in the literature generally leverage commercial 3D scanners that disrupt both surgical and pathology workflows. Our group has received NIH funding to evaluate the feasibility of developing 3D specimen models directly from endoscopic video captured via surgical robotic systems in TORS. The medical student assistant will contribute to development and bench-level evaluation of 3D modeling, VR/immersive model annotation, and margin mapping technologies in the laboratory, as well as extension of existing protocols for clinical evaluation. We aim to publish results of this work in both clinical and technical journals.
Project 3: Fluorescence-Guided Tumor Imaging in Head and Neck Cancer Surgery
Fluorescence-guided surgery is an emerging approach to improve tumor identification and margin assessment during head and neck cancer resections. This project is embedded within an ongoing Phase I clinical trial evaluating ABY-029, a fluorescent affibody targeting Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma undergoing surgical resection. The study examines the safety of ABY-029 and how fluorescence signal varies with dose and tumor characteristics to distinguish tumor from normal tissue. The student will assist with bench-based compound testing in the laboratory, support specimen handling and scanning in and out of the operating room, and collaborate with graduate students and researchers during tissue processing and pathology workflows. This project offers hands-on exposure to translational cancer research spanning the laboratory, operating room, and pathology, with opportunities to contribute to data collection and analysis within an active NIH-funded clinical trial.
Dr. Saunders:
Faculty contact name and email address
James Saunders MD
James.E.Saunders@hitchcock.org
Research support contact name and email address:
Micki Geffert
Michaela.M.Geffert@hitchcock.org
Administrative support contact name and email address
Shannon M. Bagley
Shannon.M.Bagley@hitchcock.org
Project 1: Vestibular Referral Process
Patients referred for dizziness and vertigo often enter ENT care through a structured vestibular triage process at DHMC, yet the effectiveness of this process in predicting final diagnoses has not been well characterized. This retrospective chart review aims to identify all patients triaged for vestibular-related concerns based on diagnosis codes and free-text referral information, and to evaluate their outcomes within the DHMC care pathway. The study will examine referral volumes, triage decisions, questionnaire completion, referral denials, and final clinical diagnoses to assess how well the vestibular questionnaire and triage workflow align with diagnostic outcomes. The student will perform detailed chart review, data abstraction, and data analysis under faculty mentorship. This project provides experience in clinical outcomes research, workflow evaluation, and quality improvement in an otolaryngology setting.
Project 2: Development of a Swahili Dichotic Digits Test for Central Auditory Processing Assessment
The Dichotic Digits Test (DDT) is a well-established auditory clinical tool used to assess central auditory processing, particularly binaural integration and brainstem and cortical auditory pathway function. The DDT consists of presenting different digit pairs simultaneous to each ear, requiring the listener to recall them. Prior work in our lab has demonstrated that DDT performance is a strong predictor of central auditory processing deficits, including in populations exposed to environmental neurotoxicants such as heavy metals. This project aims to develop a Swahili-language version of the DDT to support ongoing and planned research examining the relationship between heavy metal exposure and central auditory processing deficits in East Africa. The work will involve generating or sourcing Swahili digit audio files, adapting them into a validated dichotic testing format, and integrating the test into an existing tablet-based auditory testing platform (WHATS/TabSINT). The student will collaborate with faculty, engineers, and audiology researchers to manage audio file development, software integration, and pilot testing, gaining experience at the intersection of auditory neuroscience, global health research, and clinical technology development. A student who has experience with or an interest in programming would be well suited for this project.
Project 3: CT Scans in Pediatric Balloon dilation cases
Balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube (BDET) is increasingly used to treat Eustachian tube dysfunction, including in pediatric patients, yet the role of preoperative CT imaging in this setting remains unclear. Although CT scans are often obtained to evaluate temporal bone anatomy and carotid artery position, the balloon catheter is designed to remain within the cartilaginous portion of the Eustachian tube and not extend into the bony segment where major vascular structures are located. This raises important questions about whether routine CT imaging meaningfully alters surgical decision-making or improves safety in pediatric BDET. This project will involve a retrospective review of pediatric balloon dilation cases at DHMC to assess imaging findings, identify any anatomic variants or contraindications noted on CT, and determine whether imaging results led to changes in management or surgical planning. The student will assist with chart review, imaging review with a radiologist and neurotologist, literature synthesis, and data analysis, with the goal of clarifying the clinical utility of CT imaging and informing evidence-based practice in pediatric otolaryngology.
Dr. Little Project
Faculty contact name and email address
Ryan Little, MD
Research support contact name and email address:
Micki Geffert
Michaela.M.Geffert@hitchcock.org
Administrative support contact name and email address
Shannon M. Bagley
Shannon.M.Bagley@hitchcock.org
Project 1: Do Smell Tests Reflect Patient Experience? A Comparative Analysis of Olfactory Assessment Tools
Olfactory dysfunction is an important and often underrecognized contributor to quality of life, nutrition, and safety across a wide range of patient populations, yet the relationship between patient-reported symptoms and olfactory testing remains incompletely understood. This project will leverage data from an existing prospective adult cystic fibrosis (CF) study to examine how patient-reported olfactory impact, measured using the Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders (QOD), correlates with olfactory function assessed using two testing modalities: the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) and Sniffin’ Sticks (TDI). Because UPSIT and Sniffin’ Sticks were used during different phases of the study, this analysis will compare how well each test aligns with patient-reported quality-of-life impact. The student will conduct data extraction, descriptive and comparative statistical analyses, and a focused literature review to evaluate concordance between measures in each testing phase. This project offers experience in secondary data analysis, outcomes research, and clinical olfactory assessment, with the goal of producing an abstract and manuscript to inform best practices in olfactory testing beyond the CF population.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Department of Medicine; Population Health
Project Title: Improving Patient Understanding at Discharge: A Systemwide Teach-Back Quality Improvement Initiative
- Faculty contact name and email address: Ruth Berggren, MD, MHCDS; e.berggren@dartmouth.edu
- Co-investigator: Barbara Dieckman, MS, MBA; e.dieckman@hitchcock.org
- Administrative support contact: Carmen Perkins-Swafford, Project Manager Assoc., Quality Assurance and Safety’ Carmen.R.Perkins-Swafford@hitchcock.org
- Department name:Dept of Medicine; Population Health
Background and Rationale:
Effective patient discharge communication is essential for safe care transitions and reducing readmissions. Evidence shows that patients often leave the hospital without fully understanding their condition, follow up plan, or why specific care steps are important. The Teach-back Method of asking patients to explain in their own words key aspects of their care, is an evidence-based practice that improves comprehension, adherence, and outcomes.
Currently, Dartmouth Health lacks standardized implementation of the teach-back approach across inpatient units. Baseline assessments suggest variability in how consistently discharge instructions are delivered in plain language or how regularly patient understanding is verified by their own words.
Project Objectives and Goals
This quality improvement projects aims to:
- Establish baseline data on patient understanding of their condition and care plan at discharge across all participating units
- Implement teach-back training for clinicians, nurses, and other hospital staff
- Evaluate changes in patient understanding following implementation, using a simple, structured 3-question survey administered to patients on units before and after staff training
- Promote sustainable communication practices that enhance patient engagement and safety during hospital-to-home transitions
Methods
- Design: Pre-/post intervention QI project measure patient understanding before and after staff teach-back training
- Setting: DHMC, Lebanon, NH in-patient units TBD
- Participants: Adult inpatients eligible for a discharge who consent to participate in a brief verbal survey
- Intervention: Teach-back communication training for nurses and clinicians including a brief didactic, a role playing workshop, reinforcement of communication skills via electronic administration of “Microlearning” interactive modules, and direct observation/at elbow coaching of patient-staff interactions around times of preparing for care transitions
- Survey instrument: Three -question “Discharge Understanding Check” assessing:
- Identification of the medical condition leading to hospitalization
- Knowledge of health related tasks and behaviors after discharge
- Understanding of why these actions are important
Survey scoring: Plus (+) for correct/informed responses; minus (-) for uncertain or incorrect responses
Data collection:
-Phase 1 (Baseline): Before the in-patient unit has undergone teach-back training
-Phase 2 (Follow-up): 4-6 weeks after teach-back implementation
-Data recorded anonymously for each patient, by designated unit
Outcome Measures:
Primary: Change in proportion of patients scoring “+” on each survey question post-implementation
Secondary: Staff confidence in using teach-back (This is a supplemental pre-post survey directed to trained clinicians and staff)
Longitudinal hospital based metrics: Change in proportion of patients with positive responses to Patient Experience (Press-Ganey) questions; change in proportion of patients experiencing preventable hospital readmissions.
Evaluation and Analysis:
Aggregate data will be compared pre- and post-intervention using basic descriptive statistics (e.g. percent change in positive responses)
Outcomes will be shared with participating clinicians, nurses, and staffs. Units can track their progress over time to identify areas for further education or innovation.
Sustainability and Dissemination
Results will guide hospital-wide communication training efforts and inform broader discharge education policies. Findings will be shared with nursing leadership and quality councils across the hospital. Student researchers will prepare abstracts and poster presentations to submit to local and regional conferences including the American College of Physicians (ACP) New Hampshire chapter and Dartmouth’s annual Rural Health Symposium.
Ethics and Regulatory Considerations:
This project involves routine care processes and aims to improve local quality and safety, without randomization or major deviation from usual care and is expected to qualify as QI rather than human subjects research. The project team will submit a brief QI/IRB determination form (per institutional policy) and ensure that patient participation in the survey is voluntary and confidential
Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine Research project
IDEA Lab
Faculty: Alexander T. Abess, MD (alexander.t.abess@hitchcock.org)
Administrative Support: Beth Laro (Mary.E.Laro@hitchcock.org)
Department: Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine
Funding: negotiable, as is time commitment
Overview: IDEA Lab’s mission is to develop solutions to healthcare problems. We seek to accomplish this through innovation, development and entrepreneurship with the objective of bringing these solutions to market. As such we teach 1) “needs identification” skills 2) technical innovation approaches (most commonly devices but also increasingly with digital health and data/AI methods) and 3) business development considerations including product-market fit, fundraising, de-risking, and regulatory pathways. We strive for a collaborative, creative and supportive work environment. The student will develop an understanding of the medical innovation process: how medicine, technology and business intersect.
Ongoing Projects (the student will preferably focus on 1):
- Development of a novel non-invasive beat to beat blood pressure monitor.
- Tasks/Aims for Summer 2026: Assist with design of refined prototype, assist with design and/or assembly of a phantom for testing, assist with regulatory pathway planning on design of clinical trial
- Preferable skills: engineering background (biomedical, electrical, or mechanical), familiarity with CAD software, ability to work with cross-disciplinary team (lab at Thayer school of engineering)
- Development of Expandable Endotracheal Tube
- Tasks/Aims for Summer 2026: Facilitate further market analysis, assist with prototype evaluation and modifications as needed
- Preferable skills: no technical skills required; good communication skills preferable
- Development of Sensor-enhanced needle for epidural placement
- Tasks/Aims for Summer 2026: assist with ongoing clinical trial at DHMC
- Preferable skills: no technical skills required, CITI and Redcap training will be facilitated
- If technical/design experience is desired: an additional task will be refinement of current device prototype and sterile cover design
- Development of device to prevent central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs)
- Tasks/Aims for Summer 2026: assist with grant preparation and submission, assist with design iterations
- Preferable skills: some engineering familiarity preferred, CAD software experience would be great (but not necessary)
Cardio-GI Research
Centre of Digestive Health and Office of Medical Student Research
Faculty: Han Naung Tun, MBBS, MPH (PI), Tim Gardner, MD, MS (Co-PI)
Admin contact: Han Naung Tun, han.naung.tun@dartmouth.edu
Project overview and background : Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Heart–Liver-Pancreatic Axis: Mechanistic and Clinical Associations. This SR-MA is designed to evaluate and quantify the bidirectional relationships between cardiac function and liver and pancreatic pathologies. The project will systematically collect and analyze published clinical and translational studies examining how HFpEF affects the liver and the pancreas, as well as how liver and pancreatic diseases influence and aid in the pathogenesis of HFpEF. The objective is to clarify the strength, consistency, and mechanisms of these associations to inform future translational and clinical research. The review will follow PRISMA guidelines with predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, comprehensive database searches, duplicate screening, and risk-of-bias assessment. Where appropriate, meta-analytic techniques will be used to estimate pooled effect sizes for associations between cardiac, hepatic and pancreatic outcomes. The project closely follows a previously published review titled “HFpEF Beyond the Heart: Exploring the Heart–Liver–Pancreas Axis”, and its DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/eschf/xvag040. This is an under-researched domain, and the aim of this review is to generate a consolidated and comprehensive evidence-based knowledge that would standardize the current understanding of the heart–liver-pancreatic axis, and guide hypothesis generation for future studies.
This SR-MA investigates the systemic inflammatory interplay in the tri-organ axis, Heart-Liver-Pancreas. It includes interplay between HFpEF and acute pancreatitis, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI), congestive hepatopathy, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The objective is to quantify the clinical impact of this tri-organ axis on patient prognosis and define the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL−6, TNF−α, IL−1β) as the common pathophysiological denominator. Interested students would participate in screening, assist in data extraction, quality appraisal, and quantitative synthesis, with opportunities for authorship and publication.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Posted Dec/10/2025
Translational Oncology Program for Scholars (TOPS) 2026
(M1s Only)
Dartmouth Cancer Center is offering the 2026 TOPS program for first-year Geisel students. This 6-week, full-time program (June 15–July 24, tentative) provides an immersive experience in translational oncology, combining laboratory work, clinical shadowing, tumor board meetings, and engagement with the Office of Clinical Research. Participants will be paired with an oncologist and/or investigator.
TOPS participants will receive $3,900 for the program. Up to 9 students will be selected.
Application Deadline: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Questions: Please Contact Benjamin.D.Koziol@dartmouth.edu
TOPS Application Link https://dartmouth.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1yI4GXX5gtsszd4
Posted Dec/3/2025
Ob/Gyn point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) curriculum
The Ob/Gyn team recently received an APGO grant to develop a nationally adoptable Ob/Gyn point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) curriculum. They are seeking 2–3 motivated students who may be interested in contributing to this project.
The project will involve creating an open-access ultrasound image repository, conducting a literature review, researching/trialing low-cost US simulation models, and producing short instructional videos. This is a great opportunity for students interested in Ob/Gyn, ultrasound, or medical education.
Project Details
- Timeframe: Begins January 2026 and continues through the summer (ideal way to spend your MS1→MS2 summer; a stipend is planned!)
- Mentorship: Drs. Gallagher & Hanissian, with support from ultrasound, anatomy, and Maternal–Fetal Medicine faculty
- Goal: Complete the project in 2026 and present at a national conference in February 2027
- Bonus: Experience with video creation, websites, or tech skills is helpful but not required .
If you’re interested, please email Dr. Gallagher (Patience.J.Gallagher@hitchcock.org) with a brief explanation of your interest, any relevant experience, and a copy of your CV.
Posted Oct/3/2025
Dartmouth Radiology Summer Research Internship
The Dartmouth Radiology Summer Research Internship will enable MD students at Geisel to engage in innovative and emerging areas of research in the field of radiology.
$6,000.00 will be provided to the successful candidate for pursing a research project that meets the criteria set forth above. This project would be expected to span a 10-week period over the Summer of 2026.
More information : See in this attached document Summer Radiology Research Call 2026
Posted 9/12/2025
Established in 2007 through a generous gift from Barry D. Pressman, M.D. (Dartmouth ’64, DMS ’65), this fellowship offers Geisel M.D., Ph.D., M.S., and M.P.H. students the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research at the intersection of medical imaging, artificial intelligence, and precision health.
Fellowship Highlights:
-
Mentorship: Work with faculty from Radiology, CPHAI, and other clinical departments.
-
Deliverables: Fellows present findings at Radiology/CPHAI Grand Rounds and aim for peer-reviewed publication.
-
Skills Gained: Research design, manuscript writing, and scientific presentation.
Application Requirements (Fall 2025):
-
Specific Aims (≤0.5 page)
-
Research Proposal (≤1.5 pages, with faculty mentors listed)
-
Current CV and transcript
More information : See in this attached document Pressman Fellowship CPHAI Radiology Call 2026
Questions? Contact Dr. Jessica Sin at jessica.m.sin@hitchcock.org
2025–26 Pressman Fellow:
Steven Angtuaco (Geisel ’28)
Project: Seeing is Believing: Understanding Human-AI Interaction Patterns in Prostate Cancer Imaging with Eye-Tracking
Mentors: Drs. Indrani Bhattacharya, Jessica Sin, Matthew Maeder, James Yu, Marc Seltzer, Lawrence Dagrosa, and Lillian Dominguez Konicki