Congratulations to Asad Bashir, M.D., Zeeshan Khan, Ph.D., and Kelena Klippel, M.S., who received 2025 I. Heermann Anesthesia Foundation (IHAF) Education Awards. Faculty members Prodip Bose, M.D., Ph.D., Nikolaus Gravenstein, M.D., Ryan Parker, M.D., and Anatoly E. Martynyuk, Ph.D. are co-investigators and mentors on these projects.
The IHAF encourages and supports scholarly pursuits that aim to improve the field of anesthesia through clinical research, laboratory research, publication, the teaching of anesthesia, and the ultimate application of such knowledge to the welfare of the patient.
Asad Bashir, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology
Project Title: Assessing flow efficiency in intravenous catheters: An in vitro study
Investigators: Asad H. Bashir, M.D., Ryan Parker, M.D., and Nikolaus Gravenstein, M.D.
Anesthesiologists are responsible for fluid and blood product resuscitation in the perioperative environment. It is important to quickly replace fluids and blood in a patient losing a lot of blood, using intravenous (IV) catheters. Depending on the circumstances, it can take some time to decide which device is the best to use in the situation. To help anesthesiologists make quicker and more informed clinical decisions, the group is conducting a study to investigate how quickly fluids can flow through different types of IV catheters. They will assess the flow rates through a variety of IV cannulation devices. These findings can show which IV catheters deliver fluids the fastest during different conditions. The researchers will provide quantitative data to doctors, helping them make more timely and informed clinical decisions. Overall, the data can help improve patient outcomes in emergency situations.
Zeeshan Khan, Ph.D., post-doctoral associate in the Martynyuk Laboratory
Project Title: Intergenerational perioperative neurocognitive disorder in a rat model of traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Investigators: Zeeshan A. Khan, Ph.D., Ling-Sha (Lisa) Ju, Ph.D., and Anatoly E. Martynyuk, Ph.D.
Surgery and general anesthesia may increase cognitive decline in older adults. This type of decline is known as perioperative neurocognitive disorder, which is thought to accelerate Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Younger individuals who suffer from high inflammation and stress due to a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may also be vulnerable. Additionally, children of parents with a TBI are at a higher risk for psychiatric disorders. The mechanisms underlying these neurocognitive deficits are not clear or well understood. In addition, there are no effective treatments. The group aims to better understand how a father’s medical history and experiences can impact his children’s health. The researchers also want to help prevent effects being passed down to the next generation. In their study, tests found that a TBI combined with anesthesia can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the gut and lead to changes in the brain. Additionally, behavioral and metabolic issues can be passed down to the next generation. They determined that giving the medication bumetanide after a TBI and transferring health gut bacteria can prevent or reduce behavioral and metabolic problems. With the IHAF funding, they plan to expand on this study.
Kelena Klippel, M.S., third-year Ph.D. student in biomedical sciences
Project Title: Noradrenergic modulation of mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation following mild traumatic brain injury
Investigators: Kelena S. Klippel, M.S.; Mentor: Prodip Bose, M.D., Ph.D.
People who experience a mild traumatic brain injury, like a concussion, can face mental and emotional problems for a long period of time. The researchers believe that a brain’s noradrenergic system is disrupted after this type of injury. This system uses a chemical called norepinephrine, which helps keep the brain alert and focused. Once disrupted, inflammation and other issues with brain cells can arise. The researchers hope to find a treatment that can allow the brain to properly heal. In their preliminary study, they tested a medication called methylphenidate, which can boost norepinephrine and stimulate the brain. Through brain scans and behavioral tests, they found that the medication showed improvement in brain activity. With the IHAF funding, they will explore how the medication is working at a cellular level and look closer at the brain’s noradrenergic system. These findings can help lead to better treatment for people who have a concussion and face long-term problems.