Required Resident Research Project

The UCLA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident Research

R2 Research Day

Resident Research: Overview

There is a required resident research project, with milestones along the four years of training.  In their first year, residents identify areas of research interest and mentors for their project. Second year residents demonstrate their ability to formulate a hypothesis, critically evaluate the literature and design a research project to test the hypothesis. This background information and research plan is presented to residents and faculty mid-way through second-year. In third year, residents formally present their findings at a year-end Scientific Session. The goal for the fourth year is to write up the findings and submit for publication.  

Resident Research: Faculty Mentors

UCLA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology residents each select a faculty mentor who best fits their research interests and who has sufficient time and relevant experience to serve as mentor. Typically, a mentor is chosen and approved during the first year of residency. Residents are not alone in this decision-making process. Our program directors are available to brainstorm ideas and navigate the research process before selecting a mentor.

Resident Research: Research Presentations

The research culminates with a presentation to UCLA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology faculty, staff and colleagues, followed by a written abstract and completed manuscript to be submitted to a scientific publication and for presentation at local, regional, national, and international conferences. 


2021 (Fall) PGY4 Research Presentations

Resident Mentor(s) Research Topic
Catherine Gilwa, M.D Rajita Patil, M.D

Feasibility of No-Test Telemedicine Abortion During the Covid-19 Pandemic

K. Marie Douglass, M.D., MPH Aparna Sridhar, M.D.

Development and Comparison of An Audio and Video Podcast for Contraception Education for Medical Students

Ophelia Yin, M.D. Yalda Afshar, M.D., Ph.D.

Single-Cell Analysis of Placenta Accreta Spectrum: Pathophysiology and Diagnostic Applications

Elias Kassir, M.D. Christine Han, M.D.

Risk Factors for Measles Non-Immunity in Rubella-Immune Pregnant Patients

Liwen Xu, M.D.

Deborah Krakow, M.D. and Yalda Afshar, M.D., Ph.D.

Patterns of Peripartum Depression and Anxiety During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Registry Study

Cindy Hudson, M.D. Erica Oberman, M.D.

The Transfer Resident

Ana Bermudez, M.D. Jacqueline Fahey, M.D.

Myomectomy Complications, Comparing Open and Laparoscopic Approaches

Katelyn Furey, M.D. Lisa Garcia, M.D. and Dr. Christine Holschneider, M.D.

Determination of Risk Strata for Endocervical Sampling at The Time of Colposcopy

Dipti Banerjee, M.D., MPH Alexandra Havard, M.D.

Perioperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Myomectomy Surgery


2021 (Spring) PGY4 Research Presentations 

Resident Mentor(s) Research Topic
Alec Szlachta-McGinn, MD Cecilia Wieslander, M.D.

Referral Patterns of Women with Pelvic Floor Disorders from a Public Safety Net Hospital Gynecologic Oncology Clinic

Hency Patel, M.D. JValentina Rodriguez, M.D.

Evaluation of Intraoperative Laparoscopic Ultrasonography to Enhance Fibroid Detection during Laparoscopic Myomectomy

Brittany Davis, M.D. Michelle Han, M.D.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Improve Contraception Access for Women with Psychiatric Illnesses

Jenny Mei, M.D. Yalda Afshar, M.D., Ph.D.

Rates of Cesarean Conversion in Planned Vaginal Twin Deliveries: Do We Need the Operating Room? A Multi-Center Study and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Jeremy Chang, M.D. Jacqueline Fahey, M.D.

Patient-reported Outcomes and Satisfaction after Laparoscopic Myomectomy

Megha Patel, M.D Lauren Nathan, M.D.

VBAC Rates Before and After Introduction of an OB/GYN Residency and Hospitalist Program

Katherine Goldrath, M.D. Christine Holschneider, M.D.

Assessing Risk for Prolonged Opioid Use in the Peri-operative Setting for Gynecological Surgeries


2019 PGY3 Research Presentations

Resident Mentor(s) Research Topic
Abigail Armstrong, M.D Cecilia Wieslander, M.D. and Christopher Tarnay, M.D Teaching Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises at The Time of Pelvic Exam
Anjali Hari, M.D. Joshua Cohen, M.D. Outcomes After Implementation of An Enhanced Recovery Pathway After Major Gynecologic Oncology Surgery at A Tertiary Care Center
Connie Cheng, M.D. Kathleen Brennan, M.D. and Molly Quinn, M.D. Aneuploidy Rates Among Young Oocyte Donors: Is There an Optimal Age for Donation?
Emily Lee, M.D. Ilina Datkhaeva, M.D. and Rashmi Rao, M.D. Marijuana Use in Pregnancy After Legalization and Associated Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes
Ilene Tsui, M.D. Carla Janzen, M.D. Retinal Changes in Women with Vascular Disease During Pregnancy
Janeine Tiu, M.D Aparna Sridhar, M.D. Personal Digital Health Assistant for Contraception Decision Making: A Pilot Time Series Study
Nina Vyas, M.D. Molly Quinn, M.D Reproductive Life Planning and Interest in Fertility Preservation Among Transgender and Gender Non-Binary Individuals

2018 PGY3 Research Presentations

Resident Mentor(s) Research Topic
Danielle Chiavetta, M.D. Christine Holschneider, M.D. and Lisa Garcia, M.D. Correlation of universal endocervical sampling at time of colposcopy and treatment of patients with high-grade cervical dysplasia
Jacqueline Fahey, M.D. Rashmi Rao M.D. Pregnancy outcomes of gestational diabetes mellitus using sweet success versus ACOG diagnostic guidelines
Julie Hein, M.D. Amy Stoddard, M.D. Contraceptive implant for adolescents: knowledge, attitudes and provision among family medicine and pediatrics residents
Lydia Lo, M.D. Leslie Carranza, M.D. Informed consent experience among spanish-speaking patients undergoing gynecologic surgery
Gelareh Nikpour, M.D. Radhika Rible, M.D. and Angela Chen, M.D. California state law (SB-999) and implementation: dispensing a year-long supply of prescription birth control 
Kelsey Rose, M.D. Yalda Afshar, M.D, Ph.D. and Kirsten Jensen, M.D. Simulation to improve trainee knowledge and comfort about forceps-assisted vaginal deliveries
Thalia Wong, M.D. Yalda Afshar, M.D, Ph.D., Lawrence Platt, M.D., and Christina Han, M.D. Predicting adverse outcomes in monochorionic diamniotic twins: the role of middle cerebral artery dopplers and cerebroplacental

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