Current Residents In Research
Research Residents 2026-2027
Daniel Counihan, MD, M, R2
Clinical Year: PGY2
Site: Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Mentors: Danby Kang MD; Sabrina Sanchez MD, MPH
Dr. Counihan’s research focuses on trauma outcomes and resource utilization. He will examine the resources provided to trauma patients through Boston Medical Center, the community, and the state to assess utilization, effectiveness, and potential gaps. Additionally, he is working on a quality improvement project aimed at developing educational materials for trauma teams focused on opioid tapering at discharge to minimize post-discharge healthcare utilization for these patients. Dr. Counihan currently serves as the Junior Administrative Research Resident.
Funding: NIH T32 Grant: Impact of Biological, Clinical, and Social Determinants on Trauma and Trauma Outcomes
Joseph Dao, MD, MEd, R1
Clinical Year: PGY 2
Site: MD Anderson Cancer Center
Mentor: Naruhiko Ikoma, MD, MS
Dr. Dao’s research focuses on the application of artificial intelligence and computer vision to improve robotic cancer surgery. His work aims to develop and validate AI models that enhance surgeon education, optimize surgical workflow, and improve the safety and quality of robotic cancer surgery. Additionally, Dr. Dao is investigating patient-reported outcomes after upper gastrointestinal cancer surgery, with a focus on developing and validating streamlined symptom assessment tools to optimize perioperative care and improve patient-centered outcomes.
Funding: Image-Guided Cancer Therapy (IGCT) T32 Fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center
Josue Estrella, MD, R1
Clinical Year: PGY 3
Site: Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center
Mentors: Noelle Saillant, MD; Jeffrey Siracuse, MD, MBA; David McAneny, MD
Dr. Estrella is fulfilling dual roles as a researcher within the Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery and as the Quality Improvement (QI) Fellow for the Department of Surgery. His research focuses on outcomes in surgical management of traumatic injuries to major vessels in junctional zones (neck, axilla, groin) and medium vessels in thoraco-abdominal compartments (e.g., renal vessels, mesenteric vessels). As QI fellow, Dr. Estrella will engage in multidisciplinary review of patient safety events and collaborate on implementation of quality improvement protocols aimed at fostering the well-being of a diverse surgical patient population.
Funding: NIH T32 Training Grant on the Impact of Biological, Clinical, and Social Determinants on Trauma and Trauma Outcomes
Jessica Lee, MD, R1
Clinical Year: PGY 2
Site: Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center
Mentor: Dane Scantling DO, MPH
Dr. Lee is a first-year research resident in the Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at Boston Medical Center. Her research will focus predominantly on access to trauma care, with an emphasis on national and regional geographic disparities, particularly those related to firearm injuries. Additionally, she has a specific interest in developing and improving transparency for family-friendly policies in general surgery residencies on a national level. Dr. Lee will also serve as the Junior Administrative Research Resident.
Funding: NIH T32 Grant
Rebecca Reardon-Lochbaum, MD, R2
Clinical Year: PGY 2
Site: Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Mentors: Andrea Geisz-Fremy, PhD
Dr. Reardon-Lochbaum is interested in improving early detection of pancreatic cancer and addressing the socioeconomic disparities related to the morbidity and mortality of the disease. She will be participating in basic and translation science, aimed at characterizing the genetic and biomolecular underpinnings of pancreatic cancer, with the goal of identifying early biomarkers that can be utilized for more efficacious screening and detection.
Lawson Traylor, MD, R1
Clinical Year: PGY 3
Site: Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine