Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Medical Student Research Fellowship

Overview

The Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (FPRS) within the Department of Otolaryngology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center has created a 12-month clinical research fellowship, beginning annually in July. This research experience is geared towards aspiring otolaryngologists seeking a research year between their third and fourth years of medical school. The fellow will conduct clinical research within the field of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. The fellow will have the opportunity to work closely with all surgeons within the FPRS division on clinical research projects throughout the year. The entire division will serve as the student's mentoring team with a member of the mentorship team meeting with the student at least weekly.

 

Educational Objectives

The goal of the medical student research fellowship is to offer fellows the skills and mentoring necessary to foster a career in academic otolaryngology. In addition, our program will prepare applicants for the competitive otolaryngology residency application cycle. The expectation is that the student will finish the year with multiple publications as well as poster/oral presentations

Skills learned during the fellowship include:

  • Electronic data capture (REDCap) software
  • Grant manuscript and IRB document writing
  • Clinical trial coordination
  • Research presentations (posters, oral)
  • Working intimately with all members of the facial plastic and reconstructive surgery team

There are opportunities for funding within the Vanderbilt Medical Scholars Program open to Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and Meharry Medical College students. Fellows are encouraged to apply for funding with the assistance of the mentorship team.  

For non-VU/Meharry students, there is a research stipend and benefits included. 

 

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their CV and a cover letter explaining their interest in the program and previous relevant experience, along with contact information for two references, to Shiayin Yang (shiayin.yang@vumc.org) and Nicole Cavanaugh (nicole.cavanaugh@vumc.org).

 

Faculty

  • Shiayin Yang

    Associate Professor
    Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

  • Priyesh Patel

    Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

  • Scott Stephan

    Carol and John S. Odess Chair in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

  • Eben Rosenthal

    Professor and Chair
    Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

  • James Phillips

    Associate Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

  • Ryan Belcher

    Associate Professor
    Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

Past Fellows

2022 - 2023: Nicole Desisto (Texas A&M)

 

Publications:

  • Sharma RK, DeSisto NG, Ortiz AS, et al. Early Postoperative Complications in Microtia Reconstruction: An Analysis of the NSQIP-P Database. Laryngoscope. 2023;10.1002/lary.30989. doi:10.1002/lary.30989
  • DeSisto NG, Okland TS, Patel PN, Most SP. State of the Evidence for Preservation Rhinoplasty: A Systematic Review. Facial Plast Surg. 2023;39(4):333-361. doi:10.1055/s-0043-1768654
      Nicole DeSisto

 

  • DeSisto NG, Ortiz AS, Yang SF, Stephan SJ, Patel PN. State of the Evidence for Facial Skin Cancer Reconstruction. Facial Plast Surg. 2023;39(3):220-229. doi:10.1055/a-2008-2798
  • DeSisto NG, Rahul RK, Ortiz AS, Patel PN, Stephan SJ, Yang SF. Outcomes Following DAO Myectomy in Non-Flaccid Facial Palsy: A Review. Accepted for publication: Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine
  • DeSisto NG, Arnaud, EH, Davis, SJ, Kimura, KS, Chowdhury, KC, Stephan, SJ, Patel, PN, Yang, SF. Forehead Flap Practices: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Accepted for Publication: Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine
  • Lee J, Longino ES, DeSisto NG, Sharma RK, Stephan SJ, Yang SF, Patel PN. Prophylactic Antibiotic Use in Reconstruction of Nasal Mohs Defects. Submitted: Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
  • Ortiz AS, DeSisto NG, Kimura K, Patel PN, Yang SF, Stephan SJ, Clymer M. Cost-Effective Use of Polytetrafluoroethylene Use in Dorsal Augmentation. Submitted: Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine
  • Sharma RK, DeSisto NG, Longino ES, Stephan SJ, Patel PN, Yang SF. Post-operative Cosmetic Scores and Revision Rates after Mohs Reconstructive Surgery. Submitted: Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine
  • Longino ES, DeSisto NG, Ortiz AS, Chowdhury NI, Patel PN, Stephan SJ, Yang SF. Effect of Underlying Mental Health Disorders on the Correlation between Patient and Surgeon-Graded Synkinesis Scores. Submitted: Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine
  • DeSisto NG, Goehring L, Longino ES, Ortiz AS, Yang SF. (2023, Sep). State of Women in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery: A Systematic Review. Submitted: Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
  • DeSisto NG, Ortiz AS, Longino ES, Chowdhury N, Stephan SJ, Patel PN, Yang SF. Factors Influencing Career Choice of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Submitted: Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine
  • DeSisto NG, Sharma, RK, Longino, ES, Ortiz, AS, Kim, LR, Rohde, SL, Yang, SF. The Influence of Women in Leadership on Gender Diversity in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Residency Programs. Submitted: The Laryngoscope
  • Landeen KC, DeSisto NG, Jordan MK, Colaianni A, Phillips J. Recurrent Peritonsillar Abscess Caused by Vaginal Flora: A Common Problem from a Unique Source. Submitted: Ear, Nose, and Throat Journal
  • DeSisto, NG, Patel, H, Lippert, D, Oxford, L, Britt, C. Incidence of the Initial Diagnosis of Head and Neck Cancer in a University Emergency Department Pre and Post COVID 19. Submitted: Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
  • DeSisto NG, Verducci C, Pittman AL, Patel PN, Yang SF. Restoration of Oral Competence with Local Advancement Flap after Free-Flap Reconstruction for Head and Neck Cancer. Submitted: Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine

Presentations:

  • DeSisto NG, Wimbiscus M, Ortiz AS, Patel PN, Yang SF, Belcher R, Stephan SJ. Evaluating Follow-up Patterns and Nasal Obstruction in the Pediatric Cleft Population. Podium presentation to be given at: Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting, West Palm Beach, FL. January 25-27, 2023.
  • DeSisto NG, Upton M, Berndt D, Yang SF, Patel PN, Tomblinson C, Stephan SJ. Ossification of the Cartilaginous Rib Stratified by Age and Gender: Implications for the Rhinoplasty Surgeon. Poster presentation to be given at: Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting, West Palm Beach, FL. January 25-27, 2023
  • DeSisto NG, Rahul RK, Ortiz AS, Patel PN, Stephan SJ, Yang SF. Outcomes Following DAO Myectomy in Non-Flaccid Facial Palsy: A Comprehensive Review. Podium presentation at: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, NV. October 25-28, 2023.  
  • DeSisto NG, Rahul RK, Ortiz AS, Patel PN, Stephan SJ, Yang SF. Systematic Review of Gracilis Muscle Transfer Outcomes Stratified by Donor Nerve. Podium presentation at: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, NV. October 25-28, 2023.
  • Longino ES, DeSisto NG, Stephan SJ, Patel PN, Yang SF. Tranexamic Acid in Rhinoplasty- Perioperative Bleeding, Edema and Ecchymosis. Podium presentation at: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, NV. October 25-28, 2023.
  • Lee, J, DeSisto, NG, Wimbiscus M, Sharma RK, Stephan PN, Yang SF, Patel PN. Are Prophylactic Antibiotics After Nasal Mohs Reconstructions Necessary? Podium presentation at: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting. Nashville, TN. September 30-October 4, 2023.
  • DeSisto NG, Sharma, RK, Longino, ES, Ortiz, AS, Kim, LR, Rohde, SL, Yang, SF. The Influence of Women in Leadership on Gender Diversity in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Residency Programs. Podium presentation at: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting. Nashville, TN. September 30-October 4, 2023.
  • DeSisto, NG, Sharma, RK, Landeen, K, Yang, SF, Stephan, SJ, Patel, PN. Postoperative Complications in Microtia Reconstruction: A National Analysis of the NSQIP-P Database. Podium presentation at: Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting, San Diego, CA. January 26-28, 2023.
  • Lubner RJ, DeSisto NG, Lee J, Ortiz AS, Yang SF. Postoperative Facial Scar Management with Neuromodulation and PRP: A Review. Poster presented at: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, NV. October 25-28, 2023.  
  • DeSisto NG, Goehring L, Yang SF. State of Women in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery: A Systematic Review. Late-Breaking Science Poster Presentation. Poster presented at: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting. Nashville, TN. September 30-October 4, 2023.
  • DeSisto NG, Patel PN, Yang SF, Stephan SJ. Management of Complex Complications and Conditions in PPE Microtia Reconstruction. Poster presented at: AAFPRS Spring Meeting at COSM, Boston, MA. May 3-4, 2023
  • Jackson JM, DeSisto NG, Sharma RK, Okland TS, Yang SF, Stephan SJ, Patel PN. Alar Batten Grafts vs. Lateral Crural Strut Grafts: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Postoperative Outcomes. Poster presented at: AAFPRS Spring Meeting at COSM, Boston, MA. May 3-4, 2023.
  • DeSisto NG, Pittman AL, Patel PN, Yang SF. Restoration of Oral Competence with Local Advancement Flap after Free-Flap Reconstruction for Head and Neck Cancer. Poster presented at: Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting, San Diego, CA. January 26-28, 2023.
  • Lubner RJ, DeSisto NG, Davis, S, Stephan SJ. Management of Infected Polyethylene Implant in Microtia Reconstruction with Irrigation System. Poster presented at:  American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Annual Meeting, Washington, DC. October 20-23, 2022.
  • Longino ES, Sharma RK, DeSisto NG, Ortiz AS, Stephan SJ, Yang SF, Patel PN Nasal Obstruction After Reconstruction of Mohs Nasal Defects. Poster presented at: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Annual Meeting, Washington, DC. October 20-23, 2022.
  • Lubner RJ, DeSisto NG, Ortiz AS, Tomblinson C, Stephan SJ, Patel PN, Yang SF. Role of Three-Dimensional (3D) Image Reconstruction in Assisting Trainees to Diagnose and Manage Bony Facial Trauma. Poster presented at: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA. September 10-14, 2022.

Submitted Conference Abstracts:

  • DeSisto NG, Ortiz AS, Longino ES, Chowdhury N, Stephan SJ, Patel PN, Yang SF. Factors Influencing Career Choice of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Submitted to: AAFPRS Spring Meeting at COSM, Chicago, IL. May 15-16, 2024
  • Upton MK, DeSisto NG, Stephan SJ, Patel PN, Yang SF. Use of Antibiotics in interpolated Flaps for Closure of Mohs Defects. Submitted to: AAFPRS Spring Meeting at COSM, Chicago, IL. May 15-16, 2024
  • DeSisto NG, Longino ES, Ortiz AS, Chowdhury NI, Patel PN, Stephan SJ, Yang SF. Underlying Metnal Health Disorders in Facial Synkinesis. Submitted to: AAFPRS Spring Meeting at COSM, Chicago, IL. May 15-16, 2024
  • Adeyboye F, Desisto NG, Peterson A, Stephan SJ, Patel PN, Yang SF. Systematic Review of Gracilis Muscle Transfer Outcomes in Pediatric Patients Stratified by Donor Nerve. Submitted to: AAFPRS Spring Meeting at COSM, Chicago, IL. May 15-16, 2024
  • Ma C, Adegboye F, DeSisto NG, Stephan SJ, Patel PN, Yang SF. Early Division of the Paramedian Forehead Flap: A Systematic Review. Submitted to: AAFPRS Spring Meeting at COSM, Chicago, IL. May 15-16, 2024

Grants:

  • Development of a Long-Term Sponsorship and Career Development Program for Female Otolaryngology Residents
    Co-Investigator
    Funding Source: Women in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Endowment
  • Evaluating Follow-up Patterns and Nasal Obstruction in the Pediatric Cleft Population
    Co-Investigator
    Funding Source: Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (VICTR)

Awards:

  • 2nd place overall, Texas A&M College of Medicine Medical Student Research Day. The Incidence and Impact of Anxiety and Depression in Facial Synkinesis; Research Distinction, Texas A&M College of Medicine
  • Acceptance into Texas A&M College MSRPP Distinction Program