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 toward 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 mentor meeting with the student at least weekly.

Educational Objectives

The goal of this 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 closely 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, a research stipend and benefits are 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). Email questions to Gabriela Sanchez (gabriela.sanchez@vumc.org).

Faculty

Past Fellows

Alexander Barna

Alexander Barna, 2024-2025
Medical School: Drexel University

Publications

  • Sharma, RK., Vittetoe, K., Barna, AJ., Takkouche, S., Varelas, A., Yang, SF., Stephan, SJ., Patel, PN. Radiographic Mid-Facial Volume Changes in Patients on GLP-1 Agonists. Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. 2025.
  • Little, CC., Sharma, RK., Barna, A., Patel, PN., Stephan, SJ., Yang, SF. Initial Treatment and Referral Patterns for Acute Facial Palsy: Insights From Emergency Department Practices. The Laryngoscope. 2025.
  • Adegboye, F., Upton, M., Sharma, RK., Rebula, E., Barna, AJ., Patel, PN., Stephan, SJ., Yang, SF. Electromyography-Guided Chemodenervation for Treatment of Non-Flaccid Facial Palsy: Analysis of Accuracy. Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine. 2025.
  • Barna, AJ., Stephan, SJ., Patel, PN., Lu, GN., Lee, LN., Yang, SF. Impact of Proposed Medicare Changes for Botulinum Toxin Coverage on Hemifacial Spasm and Facial Dystonia. Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine. 2025.
  • Sharma, RK., Papazian, M., Lubner, RL., Barna, A., Yang, SF., Stephan, SJ., Patel, PN. Novel Machine-Learning Modeling of Facial Trauma Volume with Regional Event and Weather Data. Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. 2024.

Submitted Manuscripts: 6
Oral Presentations: 12
Poster Presentations: 11
Grants: 1
 

Feyisayo Adegboye

Feyisayo Adegboye, 2023-2024
Medical School: University of Virginia

Publications

  • Longino E, DeSisto NG, Adegboye F, Patel PN, Stephan SJ, Yang SF. Tranexamic Acid in Rhinoplasty: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Manuscript in preparation.
  • Longino ES, DeSisto NG, Sharma RK, Adegboye FO, Stephan SJ, Yang SF. Cosmetic Concerns Compared to Nasal Obstruction. Submitted to FPSAM May 2024.
  • Sharma, RK., Adegboye, FO., Peterson, AC., Stephan, SJ., Patel, PN., Yang, SF.Post-Operative Complications in Facial Skin Cancer Defect Reconstruction: An Analysis of the NSQIP Database. Paper submitted.
  • Adegboye, FO., Peterson, AC., Sharma, RK., Stephan, SJ., Patel, PN., Yang, SF. Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery: A Narrative Review. Submitted to Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine. (2024)
  • Aweeda M, Adegboye F, Yang SF, Topf MC. (2024) Enhancing surgical vision: Augmented reality in otolaryngology—head and neck surgery. Journal of Medical Extended Reality 1:1, 124–136, DOI: 10.1089/jmxr.2024.0010.
  • Adegboye FO, DeSisto NG, Chowdhury N, Si CD, Stephan SJ, Patel PN, Yang SF. Pediatric Gracilis Free Muscle Transfer for Facial Reanimation: A Systematic Review of Outcomes Based on Donor Nerve. Manuscript in preparation.
  • Sharma RK, Adegboye FO, Vaidya AU, Stephan SJ, Patel PN, Yang SF. Regional and Sex Disparities in the Treatment of Facial Nerve Paralysis. Manuscript Submitted.
  • Adegboye FO, Aweeda M, Fassler C, Huang L, Patel PN, Stephan SJ, Topf MC, Yang SF. Augmenting Rhinoplasty using Augmented Reality: A Proof of Concept. Manuscript in preparation.
  • Adegboye FO, Upton MK, Sharma RK, Patel PN, Stephan SJ, Yang SF. Electromyography-Guided Chemodenervation for Treatment of Non-Flaccid Facial Palsy: Analysis of Accuracy. Manuscript in preparation.

Oral Presentations: 6
Poster Presentations: 5
Grants: 1

Nicole DeSisto

Nicki Desisto, 2022-2023
Matched Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery residency at Vanderbilt 
Medical School: Texas A&M

Publications

  • DeSisto NG, Verducci C, Pittman AL, Yang SF. Restoration of Oral Competence with Local Advancement Flap after Free-Flap Reconstruction for Head and Neck Cancer. Accepted: Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology. November 2024.
  • DeSisto NG, Longino ES, Ortiz AS, Chowdhury NI, Patel PN, Stephan SJ, Yang SF. The Incidence of Underlying Mental Health Disorders in a Facial Synkinesis Population. Accepted: Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. October 2024.
  • Sharma RK, Upton M, Vaidya AU, Longino ES, Adegboye F, DeSisto NG, Stephan SJ, Yang SF, Patel PN. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Operating Room and In-Office Reconstruction of Skin Cancer Defects. Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. October 2024.
  • DeSisto NG, Sharma RK, Longino ES, Ortiz AS, Rhode SL, Yang SF. You Can't Be What You Can't See: The Progression of Women in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Ear Nose Throat Journal. September 2024.
  • Longino ES, DeSisto NG, Ortiz AS, Chowdhury NI, Patel PN, Stephan SJ, Yang SF. The Association of Mental Health Disorders with the Effectiveness of Treating Facial Synkinesis with Chemodenervation Using Botulinum Toxin A. Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine. September 2024.
  • Sharma RK, DeSisto NG, Longino ES, Stephan SJ, Patel PN, Yang SF. Post-operative Cosmetic Scores and Revision Rates after Mohs Reconstructive Surgery. Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. May 2024.
  • 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. Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine. April 2024.
  • 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 to Ear, Nose, and Throat Journal. Accepted March 2024.
  • Sharma RK, DeSisto, NG, Landeen, K, Yang, SF, Stephan, SJ, Patel, PN. Postoperative Complications in Microtia Reconstruction: A National Analysis of the NSQIP-P Database. Laryngoscope. March 2024.
  • 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. Submitted to Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine. December 2023.  
  • DeSisto NG, Rahul RK, Ortiz AS, Patel PN, Stephan SJ, Yang SF. Outcomes Following DAO Myectomy in Non-Flaccid Facial Palsy: A Review. Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine. December 2023.
  • DeSisto NG, Okland TS, Patel PN, Most SP. State of the Evidence for Preservation Rhinoplasty. Facial Plastic Surgery. January 2023.
  • DeSisto NG, Ortiz AS, Yang SF, Stephan SJ, Patel PN. State of the Evidence for Facial Skin Cancer Reconstruction. Facial Plastic Surgery. January 2023.

Oral Presentations: 9
Posters: 11
Grants: 2