Research
Within the Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine department, faculty, trainees and clinical team members are engaged in research and improvement initiatives that aim to enhance patient care, strengthen safety, improve clinical workflows and transform the future of perioperative medicine.
Our department supports a diverse range of research and innovation efforts, including clinical research, quality improvement initiatives, education and simulation projects, technology-driven solutions, and data-informed approaches to improving outcomes for patients undergoing surgical care. Through collaboration across physicians, CRNAs, CAAs, APPs, anesthesia technologists, and multidisciplinary partners, our teams are developing new approaches to address challenges in the operating room and beyond.
Anesthesiology Innovation Micro-Grant Competition
The Anesthesiology Innovation Micro-Grant Competition provides funding and support for team members who identify opportunities to improve care delivery, education and safety. Each year, five projects receive $1,500 micro-grants to help transform innovative ideas into actionable solutions. The competition is open to faculty, CRNAs, CAAs, APPs and anesthesia technologists.
Competition Winners
2026
Cricothyrotomy Kit
Recipient: Jeannette Dallmeyer, Anesthesia Technologist
Team: Acsa Zavala, Jen Chang, Mi Wang, Neil Bailard, Edward Tsai
This project focuses on improving readiness for rare but life-saving airway emergencies through the development of a standardized, low-cost cricothyrotomy kit. The initiative proposes consolidating essential equipment into a single, easily accessible kit paired with a laminated step-by-step visual guide and 3D-printed training models to support procedural preparation and team education.
Alpha-Gal Aware Educational Campaign
Recipient: Lisa Jiang, APP
Team: Lori Dangler, Alex Holmes, Shannon Popovich, January Tsai, Catherine Vu
This multidisciplinary education initiative aims to increase awareness of alpha-gal syndrome among perioperative providers. Through educational sessions, pocket reference materials, and training resources, the project seeks to reduce the risk of inadvertent exposure to mammalian-derived medications and materials during patient care.
OR Table Re-Orientation for Head & Neck Cases
Recipient: Qing Song, CAA
Team: Margaux Poizat, Neil Bailard, Mi Wang
This project explores a redesigned operating room setup for head and neck procedures by changing OR table orientation from 180° to 90°. The goal is to eliminate unnecessary intraoperative table turns, improve airway rescue capabilities, and enhance safety through standardized room configuration and collaboration with surgical teams.
Virtual Reality for Onboarding and Recruitment
Recipient: Clint Westaway, CRNA
This project leverages virtual reality technology and 360° video to create a more immersive and standardized onboarding experience for new CRNAs, CAAs, and APPs. The initiative also aims to support recruitment efforts by providing prospective team members with a virtual introduction to the department’s clinical environment.
Perioperative Digital Twin
Recipient: Gavin Ovsak, Physician
Team: Juan Cata, January Tsai, Sajini Thekkel
This innovative project explores the development of an artificial intelligence-powered “digital twin” model using real intraoperative
data from oncologic surgery cases. The model aims to simulate potential alternative anesthetic strategies and examine how different approaches may
influence outcomes such as pain management and hemodynamic stability.
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Research Areas
Find out about the four types of research taking place at UT MD Anderson.