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  and Ms. Jaime Wallace.

Research Fellows Academic Productivity During Fellowship, to Date as of January 31, 2024.

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)

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. 2023 Aug;133(8):1914-1918. doi: 10.1002/lary.30511. Epub 2022 Dec 19. PMID: 36533659; PMCID: PMC10277314.

• Miller A, Prasad K, Sharif KF, Adams DJ, Garbow L, Roberts E, Lewis JS Jr, Ely KA, Mehrad M, Rohde SL, Langerman AJ, Mannion K, Sinard RJ, Netterville JL, Rosenthal EL, Topf MC. Virtual 3D Specimen Mapping in Head & Neck Oncologic Surgery. Laryngoscope. 2024 Jan;134(1):191-197. doi: 10.1002/lary.30881. Epub 2023 Jul 19. PMID: 37466329; PMCID: PMC10796840.

• Fassler C, Miller A, Sharif K, Prasad K, Aweeda M, Lewis J, Topf MC. Enhanced Communication of Tumor Margins Using 3D Scanning and Mapping. J Vis Exp. 2023 Dec 15;(202). doi: 10.3791/66253. PMID: 38163271.

• 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. Head Neck. 2023 Dec;45(12):2990-2995. doi: 10.1002/hed.27523. Epub 2023 Sep 29. PMID: 37772679.

• Colazo JM, Prasad K, Miller A, Sharif K, Aweeda M, Fassler C, Singh R, Schwartz HS, Lawrenz JM, Holt GE, Topf MC. 3D Specimen Scanning and Mapping in Musculoskeletal Oncology: A Feasibility Study. Ann Surg Oncol. 2023 Dec 22. doi: 10.1245/s10434-023-14757-w. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38133863.

• Prasad K, Miller A, Sharif K, Colazo JM, Ye W, Necker F, Baik F, Lewis JS Jr, Rosenthal E, Wu JY, Topf MC. Augmented-Reality Surgery to Guide Head and Neck Cancer Re-resection: A Feasibility and Accuracy Study. Ann Surg Oncol. 2023 Aug;30(8):4994-5000. doi: 10.1245/s10434-023-13532-1. Epub 2023 May 3. PMID: 37133570.

• Miller A, Prasad K, Quach WT, Lin GT, Smetak M, Langerman A. Talking with Patients about Surgical Trainees. J Clin Ethics. 2023 Spring;34(1):98-102. doi: 10.1086/723315. PMID: 36940349.

• Perez AN, Sharif KF, Guelfi E, Li S, Miller A, Prasad K, Sinard RJ, Lewis JS Jr, Topf MC. Ex vivo 3D scanning and specimen mapping in anatomic pathology. J Pathol Inform. 2023 Jan 2;14:100186. doi: 10.1016/j.jpi.2022.100186. PMID: 36687529; PMCID: PMC9852486.

• 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.

• 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:

• Fassler C, Miller A, Weikert D, Mannion K, Topf MC, Rohde S. Development of a Cutting Guide for Osteocutaneous Radial Forearm Free Flap Harvest. To be presented at: Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting; Jan 24-27, 2024; West Palm Beach, FL.

• Aweeda M, Tong G, Xu J, Pfister M, Huang L, Prasad K, Miller A, Wu JY, Topf MC. Augmented Reality Surgery to Guide Head and Neck Cancer Resections. Poster presented at: Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Research Symposium; Dec 2023; Nashville, TN.

• Tong G, Xu J, Pfister M, Atoum J, Prasad K, Miller A, Topf MC, Wu JY. Development of an Augmented Reality Guidance System for Head and Neck Cancer Resection. Presented at: Augmented Environments for Computer-Assisted Interventions; Oct 8, 2023; Vancouver, Canada.

• Colazo JM, Prasad K, Miller A, Sharif K, McPeak S, Singh R, Lewis JS Jr, Lawrenz JM, Holt GE, Topf MC. Making Negative Margins in Musculoskeletal Tumor Surgery a Virtual Reality Using 3D Specimen Scanning. Poster presented at: Musculoskeletal Tumor Society 2023 Annual Meeting; Oct 4-6, 2023; Banff, Alberta, Canada.

• Miller A, Prasad K, Langerman AJ. Patient Perceptions and Permissions for a De-Identified Surgical Video Database. To be presented at: American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery 2023 Annual Meeting; Sept 30-Oct 4, 2023; Nashville, TN.

• 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. Poster presented & selected for poster tour at: American Head and Neck Society 11th Annual International Meeting; July 8-12, 2023; Montreal, Canada.

• Stevens MN, Hosokawa E, West M, Miller A, Hereford A, Fleming M, Topf MC. Impact of Nasogastric Feeding Tube on Swallow: Preliminary Data from a Multidisciplinary Trial. Poster presented at: American Head and Neck Society 11th Annual International Meeting; July 8-12, 2023; Montreal, Canada.

• Upton M, Miller A, Prasad K, Reddy N, Mendelsohn AH, Tassone P, Topf MC. Laryngeal Cancer Treatment Decision Making: A Conjoint Analysis of Priorities of Patients with a History of Treated Laryngeal Cancer. Presented at: American Head and Neck Society 11th Annual International Meeting; July 8-12, 2023; Montreal, Canada.

• 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 8-12, 2023.

• Miller A, Weikert DR, Rohde SL, Rosenthal E, Topf MC. Development of a Cutting Guide for Osteocutaneous Radial Forearm Free Flaps. Poster presented at: Annual Resident Research Day; June 16, 2023; Nashville, TN.

• Cagle JL, ...Prasad K., Graboyes E. Association of social vulnerability with delays in starting guideline-adherent adjuvant therapy among patients with head and neck cancer. ASCO. June 3-6, 2023.

• Prasad K et al. How often is cancer present in oral cavity re-resections after initial positive margins? Triological Society COSM May 2023.

• Prasad K et al. Intraoperative 3D Scanning and Mapping for Transoral Robotic Surgery Oncologic Specimens. Triological Society COSM May 2023

• Miller A, Prasad K, Sharif K, Mannion K, Lewis JL, Topf MC. Postoperative Communication of Margin Location using Virtual 3D Specimen Maps. Poster presented at: Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) Annual Scientific Retreat; May 23, 2023; Nashville, TN.

• Prasad K, Miller A, Sharif K, Wu JY, Topf MC. Augmented Reality in Head and Neck Surgical Oncology: A Novel Technique to Guide Re-Resection. Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center Scientific Retreat. May 23, 2023.

• Miller A, Prasad K, Sharif K, Mannion K, Lewis JS Jr, Topf MC. Utility of Virtual 3D Specimen Maps for Postoperative Management of Head and Neck Surgery Patients. Grand Rounds presentation, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery; Vanderbilt University Medical Center. May 19, 2023; Nashville, TN.

• 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. 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.  

• Miller A, Langerman A. “Designing a De-Identified Surgical Video Database.” Poster presented at: Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering (VISE) 11th Annual Surgery, Intervention, and Engineering Symposium; Dec 7, 2022; Nashville, TN.

• Prasad K et al. 3D Scanning and Specimen Mapping: Innovations in Intraoperative Communication of Frozen Section Results. VISE Research Symposium. December 7, 2022

• Prasad K et al. The CAD Margin Analysis: 3D Scanning and Specimen Mapping for Enhanced Intraoperative Communication. Vanderbilt University Translational Research Forum. October 21, 2022

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

Study/Publications:

• 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)

Publications:

• Prasad K, Sharma R, Habib D, Sinard R, Mannion K, Rohde S, Langerman A, Netterville J, Rosenthal E, Lewis J, Topf MC. How Often is Cancer Present in Oral Cavity Re-resections After Initial Positive Margins? Laryngoscope. 2023 Aug 16. doi: 10.1002/lary.30959. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37584332. 
• Prasad K, Miller A, Sharif K, Colazo J, Ye W, Necker F, Baik F, Lewis J, Rosenthal E, Wu JY, Topf, MC. (2023). Augmented-Reality Surgery to Guide Head and Neck Cancer Re-resection: A Feasibility and Accuracy Study. Annals of Surgical Oncology. 10.1245/s10434-023-13532-1.
• Prasad K, Lewis, James, Wu, Jie Ying, Rosenthal, Eben, Topf, Michael. (2023). ASO Author Reflections: Augmented Reality in Head and Neck Oncology. Annals of Surgical Oncology. 10.1245/s10434-023-13582-5.
• Prasad K, Miller A, Sharif K, Colazo J, Ye W, Necker F, Baik F, Lewis J, Rosenthal E, Wu JY, Topf, MC (2023). ASO Visual Abstract: Augmented Reality Surgery to Guide Head and Neck Cancer Re-resection: A Feasibility and Accuracy Study. 10.1245/s10434-023-13614-0.
• Prasad K, Topf MC,  Clookey S, Philips R, Curry J, Tassone P. (2023). Trends in Positive Surgical Margins in cT3-T4 Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery 10.1002/ohn.377.
• Cagle J, Ramadan S, Prasad K, Yan F, Pearce J, Mazul A, Hill E, Chera B, Sterba K, Hughes-Halbert C, Tam C, Topf MC, Sandulache V,  Puram S, Graboyes E (2023). Association of social vulnerability with delays in starting guideline-adherent adjuvant therapy among patients with head and neck cancer.. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 41. 6523-6523. 10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.6523.
• Miller A, Prasad K, Sharif KF, Adams DJ, Garbow L, Roberts E, Lewis JS< Ely KA, Mehra M, Netterville JL, Rohde S, Langerman AJ, Mannion K, Sinard R, Rosenthal EL, Topf MC. (2023) Virtual 3D Specimen Mapping in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery. Laryngoscope.
• 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.
• Miller A, Prasad K, Quach W,Lin G, Smetak M,  Langerman AJ (2023). Talking with Patients about Surgical Trainees. The Journal of Clinical Ethics. 34. 98-102. 10.1086/723315.
• 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. J Pathol Inform. 2023 Jan 2. PMID: 36687529. 

 Presentations:

• Prasad K et al. The CAD Margin Analysis: 3D Scanning and Specimen Mapping for Enhanced Intraoperative Communication. Vanderbilt University Translational Research Forum. October 21, 2022
• Prasad K. Delays in Postoperative Radiation Therapy Delay. Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center & Head and Neck Tumor Board. December 2022.
• Prasad K et al. 3D Scanning and Specimen Mapping: Innovations in Intraoperative Communication of Frozen Section Results. Poster presentation at VISE Research Symposium Dec 7,2022.
• 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, 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.  
• 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. 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
• Prasad K, Miller A, Sharif K, Wu JY, Topf MC. Augmented Reality in Head and Neck Surgical Oncology: A Novel Technique to Guide Re-Resection. Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center Scientific Retreat. May 23, 2023.
• Cagle JL, ...Prasad K., Graboyes E. Association of social vulnerability with delays in starting guideline-adherent adjuvant therapy among patients with head and neck cancer. ASCO. June 3-6, 2023.
• Prasad K. Vivek N., Sharma R., Mannion K., Rodhe S., Sinard R., Langerman A., Netterville J., Lockney N., Rosenthal E., Topf MC. Social Determinants of Delays in Adjuvant Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer. AHNS. Montreal, Canada. July 8-12, 2023,
• Prasad K., Peterson N., Nolen D., Mannion K., Rohde S., Macharia C., Sinard R. Building a Sustainable Free Flap Program in a Resource-limited Setting: an eleven-year humanitarian effort. AHNS. Montreal, Canada. July 8-12, 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. AHNS. Montreal, Canada. July 8-12, 2023.
• 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 8-12, 2023.
• Colazo JM, Prasad K, Miller A, Sharif K, Mcpeak S, Singh R, Lewis JS, Lawrenz JM, Holt GE, Topf MC. Making Negative Margin Musculoskeletal Tumor Surgery a Virtual Reality Using 3D Specimen Scanning. Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) Chicago, IL. November 1-4, 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. AAO-HNS. Nashville, TN. November 3-7, 2023.
• Vivek N, Clark E, Xu S, Baskauf S, Prasad K, Nguyen K, Gao L, Goldin M, Miller A, Gelbard A. Otolaryngology Network Hub Analysis. Triological Combined Sections Meeting. West Palm Beach, FL. January 25-27, 2024.
• Aweeda M, Prasad K, Gaines D, Lockney N, Whitaker R, Topf MC. Dimensions to Decisions: The Role of 3D Specimen Models in Postoperative Radiotherapy Planning. Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting. January 25-27, 2024. West Palm Beach, Florida.

Submitted Conference Abstracts:

• Ullah H. Prasad K, Yasinzai AQ, Rasool B, Tareen B, Baloch G, Tareen MA, Tareen AS, Khan M. Lee KT, Heneidi S, Khan AU, Ullah A. Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Predictive Factors and Outcomes: A SEER Database Analysis. Annual Academy Surgical Congress. February 6-8, 2023. Washington DC.
• 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
• Vivek N, Prasad K, Philips R, West M, Lockney N, Topf MC. Discharge Summary Prompts Reduce Postoperative Radiation Treatment (PORT) Delay in Head and Neck Cancer Patients. . Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting. January 25-27, 2024. West Palm Beach, Florida. 

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