The 2025 UF Department of Anesthesiology Celebration of Research was held on February 19 at the UF Health Heart & Vascular and Neuromedicine Hospitals. Thirty-three poster abstracts were presented by faculty, fellows, residents, students, and staff that illustrated the broad range of scientific research being undertaken across the department. Faculty judges selected five abstracts as award winners that were presented as part of the event, and awards were given to the top three oral presentations.
“This was a great event, and it demonstrated the quantity, quality, and breadth of research in our department,” said Greg Janelle, M.D., FASE, FASA, interim chair of the Department of Anesthesiology. “It also highlighted the mentorship provided across clinical, translational, and bench research for rising physicians and researchers who had the opportunity to share their projects in posters and formal podium presentations.”
J. Danny Muehlschlegel, M.D., chair and professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, delivered the keynote presentation. This was a homecoming of sorts, as Muehlschlegel completed his anesthesiology residency at the University of Florida before continuing his career with fellowships in cardiac anesthesia and cardiovascular genetics at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He later served as distinguished chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, vice chair of research, and director of cardiac anesthesia research at Brigham and Women’s Hospital before joining Johns Hopkins in his current role. His presentation focused on strategic prediction, prevention, and management of perioperative atrial fibrillation.
“This year’s Celebration of Research highlighted the impact of our department’s mentors on their mentees with many receiving awards for their investigations,” noted Martin Noguera, M.S., assistant director of research administration. “Especially after Dr. Muehlschlegel’s keynote presentation, I would like to believe that many stepped out of the celebration inspired and ready to take on the research challenges that lay ahead of us.”
The department extends its appreciation to Kathy Parrish, MBA, manager of administrative services, Christina Hendricks, MA, manager of communications and publishing, Erik Neuman, administrative specialist I, the Communications & Publishing Office team, the Faculty Support Solutions team, and the Clinical Research team. Many thanks to them and to everyone who attended and participated.
The 2025 Celebration of Research award winners
First Place Oral Presentation and Top Quality Improvement Abstract
- Kelly Gahagan, B.S., and Nina Sharifi, B.S.: Utility of Point-of-Care Ultrasound to Evaluate Gastric Contents in Patients Taking GLP-1 Agonists
- Co-Authors: Sarah Sorice-Virk, M.D.; Amy Sheer, M.D., MPH; Cameron Smith, M.D., Ph.D.; Sonia Mehta, M.D.; Meghan Brennan, M.D., M.S.
Second Place Oral Presentation and Top Educational Abstract
- Aaran Varatharajan, M.D.: Outcomes of the Percutaneous Image-Guided Lumbar Decompression to Treat Symptomatic Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
- Co-Authors: Jared Ramírez, B.S., Ryan Skelly, MBA, Matthew Meroney, M.D., Amir Jafari, M.D., Terrie Vasilopoulos, Ph.D., Juan Mora, M.D., Rene Przkora, M.D., Ph.D.
Third Place Oral Presentation and Top Experimental or Observational Clinical Trial Abstract
- Snigdha Reddy Sama: Relationship Between Preoperative Hemoglobin, Intraoperative Transfusion, and Longitudinal Cognitive Trajectory
- Co-Authors: Kara Eversole, Cynthia Garvan, Ph.D., Christoph Seubert, M.D., Ph.D., Keith Howell, M.D.
Top Basic Science Research Abstract
- Jiamei Hou, M.D., Ph.D.: Electroacupuncture Attenuates TBI-Induced Chronic Pain in a Rodent Model
- Co-Authors: Grace Dooley, Sana Lulu, Shigeharu Tsuda, Ph.D/., Sara Hejazi, Ph.D., Kelena Klippel, Gyong Ha Hwang, Ph.D., Roberto Carrascosa, Dan Plant, Jaden Murphree, Nicole Weston, Ph.D., Grace Vargas, Chandler Downie, Alexys Morgan, Caleb Brown, Gabriela Faber, Grace Cheng, Cynthia W. Garvan, Floyd Thompson, Ph.D., Harvey Ramirez, DVM, CVA, Prodip Bose, M.D., Ph.D.
Top Case Study, Case Series, or Chart Review Abstract
- Faith Kimmet:The Preoperative Phases of the Perioperative Cognitive Anesthesia Network (PeCANSM) for Older Adults Electing Surgery: Results from an Observational Cohort
- Co-Authors: Catherine C. Price, Ph.D., Juliana S. Burt, M.S., Shawna Amini, MPH, Franchesca Arias, Ph.D., Basma Mohamed, M.D., Christoph N. Seubert, M.D., Cynthia Garvan, Ph.D.