Head and Neck Surgical Oncology Medical Student Research Fellowship

Head and Neck Surgical Oncology
Medical Student Research Fellowship

Overview

The Division of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology within the Department of Otolaryngology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center has created a 12-month clinical research fellowship, beginning July 1, 2023. 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 head and neck surgical oncology with their primary projects investigating the use of 3D scanning of head and neck surgical pathology specimens, as well as a novel open surgical video platform for education and competency. The fellow will have the opportunity to work closely with all surgeons within the head and neck 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.

  • 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 first-author publications. 

    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 head and neck cancer team (medical oncology, radiation oncology, speech-language pathology, pathology, neuroradiology)

    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 salary with benefits. 

  • Interested candidates should submit their CV, a cover letter explaining their interest in the program & previous relevant experience, and contact information for two references to Dr. Michael Topf (michael.topf@vumc.org) and Ms. Jaime Wallace (jaime.wallace@vumc.org).

  • Research Fellows Academic Productivity During Fellowship, to Date as of 1/23/2023

    Our two inaugural fellows, Alexis Miller and Kavita Prasad, have taken advantage of a tremendous number of research, professional, and educational opportunities in the first 6 months of their fellowship. These include Vanderbilt, National, and International experiences. Please see examples of their outstanding work to date below. We expect more exciting accomplishments from them in the second six months!

    2022 - 2023: Alexis Miller (University of Vermont)

    AMHeadshot

    Publications:

    • Sharif KF, Prasad K, Miller A, McPeak S, Denney JE, Lewis JS Jr, Topf MC. Enhanced Intraoperative Communication of Tumor Margins Using 3D Scanning and Mapping: The Computer-Aided Design Margin. Laryngoscope. 2022 Dec 19. doi: 10.1002/lary.30511. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36533659.
    • Perez AN, Sharif KF, Guelfi E, Li S, Miller A, Prasad K, Sinard RJ, Lewis JS, Topf MC. Ex vivo 3D scanning and specimen mapping in anatomic pathology. Journal of Pathology Informatics. 2023;14(100186). doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpi.2022.100186.
    • Miller A, Prasad K, Quach WT, Lin GT, Smetak M, Langerman A. Talking with Patients About Surgical Trainees. Accepted for Publication: The Journal of Clinical Ethics.
    • Miller A, Patro A, Stevens MN, Fortune DS, Haynes DS, Topf MC. The Top 75 Twitter Influencers in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and Association with Academic Impact. Submitted: The Laryngoscope

    Presentations:

    • Miller A, Prasad K, Sharif K, Mannion K, Lewis J, Topf MC. Virtual 3D Specimen Mapping in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery. Podium presentation to be given at: Triological Society Annual Meeting at COSM; May 3-7, 2023; Boston, MA.
    • Miller A, Patro A, Stevens MN, Haynes DS, Topf MC. The Top 75 Twitter Influencers in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. Poster presented at: Triological Society 2023 Combined Sections Meeting; Jan 26-28, 2023; Coronado, CA.
    • Sharif K, Lewis J, Miller A, Prasad K, Rosenthal E, Topf MC. The CAD Margin: Ex vivo 3D Specimen Mapping to Improve Communication between Surgeons and Pathologists. 
    • Poster presentation at: Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting. January 26-28, 2023. Coronado, CA.
    • Miller A, Langerman A. “Designing a De-Identified Surgical Video Database.” Poster presented at: Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering – 11th Annual Surgery, Intervention, and Engineering Symposium; Dec 7, 2022; Nashville, TN.​​​​​

    Submitted Conference Abstracts:

    • Miller A, Stevens MN, Tang A, Cottrill E, Yang SF, Rohde SL.  Characterizing Gender Trends in Head and Neck Fellowship Graduates from 2008 to 2018.
    • Submitted to American Head and Neck Society; July 2023; Montreal, Canada.
    • Upton M, Miller A, et al. Laryngeal Cancer Treatment Decision Making: A Conjoint Analysis of Priorities of Patients with a History of Treated Laryngeal Cancer. Submitted to American Head and Neck Society; July 2023; Montreal, Canada.
    • Miller A, Prasad K, Langerman AJ. Patient Perceptions and Permissions for a De-Identified Surgical Video Database. Submitted to AAO-HNSF 2023 Annual Meeting; Sept-Oct 2023; Nashville, TN.

    Other Experiences:

    • Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering (VISE): Building body-mounted camera for surgical video recording (Use of industrial laser cutter, assembly of 3D-printed, electrical, and computer components, electrical engineering including wire splicing, soldering)
    • VUMC Head and Neck Medical Mission Trip: Tawfiq Hospital; Malindi, Kenya, Oct 2022.
    • Educational Experiences: Tumor Board, Grand Rounds, Vanderbilt Resident Weekly Education

    Ongoing Projects:

    Study/Publication:

    • Accuracy of Surgical Margin Relocation Utilizing Virtual 3D Models
    • Utility of imaging characteristics to predict the need for carotid resection in carotid body tumor surgery
    • Quality of Life in Patients with Recurrent Thyroid Cancer
    • Development of a Radius Cutting Guide for Osteocutaneous Radial Forearm Free Flap
    • Mixed Reality in Surgical Oncology: A Scoping Review
    • Virtual 3D Intraoperative Communication System for Orthopedic Oncology: A Feasibility Study
    • Mixed Reality Surgery in Head and Neck Cancer Surgery: An Accuracy and Feasibility Study

    Publication:

    • Role of oral cavity cancer microbiome in post-operative infectious complications
    • A Machine Learning Approach to Predicting Occult Nodal Metastases in Early Stage Oral Tongue Cancer

    Clinical Trial:

    • ALUME Nerve Monitoring
       

    2022 - 2023: Kavita Prasad (Tufts School of Medicine)

    KPHeadshot     

    Publications:

    • Sharif KF, Prasad K, Miller A, McPeak S, Denney JE, Lewis JS, Topf MC. Enhanced Intraoperative Communication of Tumor Margins Using 3D Scanning and Mapping: The Computer-Aided Design Margin. Laryngoscope. 2022 Dec 19. PMID: 36533659.
    • Prasad K, Topf MC, Clookey S, Tassone P. Trends in Positive Surgical Margins in cT3-T4 Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.. 2023. Submitted
    • Miller A, Prasad K, et al. Talking with Patients about Surgical Ethics. Journal of Clinical Ethics. 2022. Accepted
    • Perez AN, Sharif KF, Guelfi E, Li S, Milller A, Prasad K, Sinard RJ, Lewis JS, Topf MC. Ex vivo 3D scanning and specimen mapping in anatomic pathology. J Pathol Inform. 2023 Jan 2. PMID: 36687529. 
    • Prasad K, Campbell B, A Machine Learning Approach to Predicting Occult Nodal Metastases in Early-Stage Oral Tongue Cancer. Oral Oncology. Submitted
    • Prasad K, Sharma R, Cole T, Topf MC.  Trends in Authorship Counts in Otolaryngology. Laryngoscope. Submitted.

     Presentations:

    • Prasad K, Topf MC, Clookey S, Tassone P. Trends in Positive Surgical Margins in cT3-T4 Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Oral presentation at Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting.  Coronado, CA. January 26-28, 2023. 
    • Prasad K. Delays in Postoperative Radiation Therapy Delay. Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center & Head and Neck Tumor Board. December 2022.
    • Sharif K, Lewis J, Miller A, Prasad K, Rosenthal E, Topf MC. The CAD Margin: Ex vivo 3D Specimen Mapping to Improve Communication between Surgeons and Pathologists.  Poster presentation at Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting. Coronado, CA. January 26-28, 2023.
    • Prasad K, Sharma RK, Topf MC. Increasing Authors in Otolaryngology Journal From 1986 to 2021. Poster presentation at Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting. Coronado, CA. January 26-28, 2023.  
    • Prasad K et al. 3D Scanning and Specimen Mapping: Innovations in Intraoperative Communication of Frozen Section Results. Poster presentation at VISE Research Symposium Dec 2022.
    • Prasad K et al. The CAD Margin Analysis: 3D Scanning and Specimen Mapping for Enhanced Intraoperative Communication. Poster presentation at Vanderbilt University Translational Research Forum.
    • Prasad K et al. Intraoperative 3D Scanning and Mapping for Transoral Robotic Surgery Oncologic Specimens. Poster to be presented at Triological Society COSM May 2023
    • Prasad K et al. How often is cancer present in oral cavity re-resections after initial positive margins? Poster to be presented at Triological Society COSM May 2023

    Submitted Conference Abstracts:

    • Prasad K et al. Social Determinants of Delays in Adjuvant Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer. AHNS July 2023
    • Prasad K et al. Building a Sustainable Free Flap Program in a Resource-limited Setting: an eleven-year humanitarian effort. AHNS July 2023
    • Upton M, Miller A, Prasad K, et al. Laryngeal Cancer Treatment Decision Making: A Conjoin Analysis of Priorities of Patients with a History of Treated Laryngeal Cancer
    • Naveed AB, Prasad K et al. Efficacy of T-DXd (Trastuzumab-Deruxtecan) in targeting HER-2 positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: An in-vivo and in-vitro study. AHNS July 2023.
    • Prasad K, Stevens M, Sharma R, Topf MC, Langerman A, Mannion K, Rohde S, Comparing outcomes for microvascular free flap patients in a non-intensive care setting. American Academy of Otolaryngology

    Other Experiences:

    • Provisional Patent. Modified Bolster Device. A. Langerman and K. Prasad
    • Course: Vanderbilt Data Science Institute -Artificial Intelligence Winter Workshop on Natural Language Processing and Transformer Modelling
    • Educational Experiences: Tumor Board, Grand Rounds, Vanderbilt Resident Weekly Education
    • Coming in May 2023: VUMC Head and Neck Medical Mission Trip to Kijabe Hospital, Kenya

    Ongoing Projects:

    Study/Publication

    • Mixed Reality in Surgical Oncology: A Scoping Review.
    • Virtual Patient-specific 3D Specimen Maps for Adjuvant Head and Neck Radiotherapy Planning
    • Virtual 3D Intraoperative Communication System for Orthopedic Oncology: A Feasibility Study.

    Publication:

    • Prasad K et al. Consideration of Antifungal Coverage in Treating Infections Related to Delayed Esophageal Perforation from Anterior Cervical Spine Hardware. ID Cases
    • Ullah A & Prasad K et al. Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Predictive Factors and Outcomes: A SEER Database Analysis. Thyroid
    • Mixed Reality Surgery in Head and Neck Cancer Surgery: An Accuracy and Feasibility Study. TBD.

    Clinical Trial

    • Alume Nerve Monitoring Trial

Faculty