2026 Outstanding Student Achievement Award: Master’s Research Category
Sai Sankeerth Madakasira, MS
MS in Clinical Research
Madakasira matriculated into the Master of Science in Clinical Research Program in January 2024 and graduated in January 2026.
Madakasira’s recognition with the Outstanding Student Achievement award stems from two projects that built on each other and shaped his research journey at BU.
During the first project, which was a part of his practicum with Assistant Professor of Surgery Crisanto Torres, MD, MPH, Madakasira used a national database to explore the impact of full blood transfusion in traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (tICH).
The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, compared whole blood (WB) resuscitation to plasma-based resuscitation in adult trauma patients with tICH. It found that WB resuscitation was associated with a lower 30-day mortality as compared to plasma-based resuscitation. Madakasira has presented this research at four conferences throughout the last year.
“The WB work contributes to an actively evolving area in trauma resuscitation, where surgeons across the country are working to refine treatment protocols and improve outcomes,” Madakasira said. “Working with Dr. Torres, one of the pioneers in the field, has shown me the huge body of work left to do in this area.”
The second project, Madakasira’s capstone, studied representation in Exception from Informed Consent (EFIC) emergency clinical trials across the United States. Mentored by Professor of Medical Sciences & Education Susan Fish, PharmD, MPH, and Professor of Biostatistics and MSCR Director Janice Weinberg, ScD, MS, Madakasira aimed to study conduct of such studies using EFIC, a federal pathway for clinical trials to occur without prior consent.
This analytical observational study at the intersection of research ethics, emergency care and concerns of minority overrepresentation was recently presented at the 2026 Society for Academic Emergency Medicine New England Regional Meeting (NERDS).
“My focus on EFIC trials is a novel approach to trial design,” Madakasira said. “I think there’s a significant opportunity to expand this work and contribute meaningfully to improving how these studies are designed and conducted.”
Madakasira arrived at BU knowing that he wanted to be a surgeon-scientist, having received his medical degree and practiced in India. His medical training, combined with his multiple fellowships and research projects, have solidified his desire to continue incorporating research into improving systems of care.
Looking ahead to the next chapter of his career, Madakasira expressed gratitude for the mentorship that defined his time at BU.
“What really helped was having strong mentorship,” Madakasira said. “I was able to discuss ideas openly, get feedback, and refine my scientific approach. That support made a huge difference in building confidence and navigating challenges effectively.”
Read about our other Outstanding Student Achievement Award winners here!