Required Resident Research Project

The UCLA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident Research

R2 Research Day

Resident Research: Overview

There is a required resident research project, with milestones along the four years of training.  In their first year, residents identify areas of research interest and mentors for their project. Second year residents demonstrate their ability to formulate a hypothesis, critically evaluate the literature and design a research project to test the hypothesis. This background information and research plan is presented to residents and faculty mid-way through second-year. In third year, residents formally present their findings at a year-end Scientific Session. The goal for the fourth year is to write up the findings and submit for publication.  

Resident Research: Faculty Mentors

UCLA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology residents each select a faculty mentor who best fits their research interests and who has sufficient time and relevant experience to serve as mentor. Typically, a mentor is chosen and approved during the first year of residency. Residents are not alone in this decision-making process. Our program directors are available to brainstorm ideas and navigate the research process before selecting a mentor.

Resident Research: Research Presentations

The research culminates with a presentation to UCLA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology faculty, staff and colleagues, followed by a written abstract and completed manuscript to be submitted to a scientific publication and for presentation at local, regional, national, and international conferences. 


2024 PGY4 Research Presentations

ResidentMentor(s)Research Topic
Alexandra Mardock, MDTiffany Lai, MDAssociation of Palliative Care Utilization with Readmission and Resource Utilization in Patients with Ovarian Cancer: A National Perspective
Rachel Martel, MDLindsay Kroener, MDAneuploidy Rates and Likelihood of Obtaining a Usable Embryo for Transfer Among IVF Cycles Using PGT-M+PGT-A Compared With IVF Cycles Using PGT-A Alone
Jocelyn Sajnani, MDChristina Han, MDAssociation of Prior COVID-19 Infection with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Lauren Sanchez, MDChristopher Tarnay, MD
Alexandra Goodwin, MD
Transvaginal Hysterectomy: An Educational Video to Improve Resident Surgical Training and Preparedness for Vaginal Surgery
Delaney Scollan, MDHannah Reise, MD Radhika Rible, MDAzithromycin as Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Surgical Abortion: An Evaluation of Patient Tolerance
Elaine Chan, MDNeil Silverman, MDImpact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Existing Disparities in Congenital Syphilis Rates Across Los Angeles County
Maria Paula Arias, MDIlina Plluym, MD
Lisa Nicholas, MD
Patient Satisfaction and Pregnancy Outcomes of a Resident-Led Virtual Program of Group Prenatal Care
Jessica Van Fleet, MDKathryn Goldrath,MD
Daniel Ginn, MD
Haatal Dave, MD
Evaluating Inter-Reader Reliability When Using MRI For Preoperative Endometriosis Diagnosis

2023 PGY4 Research Presentations

ResidentMentor(s)Research Topic
Deanna Wong, MDRitu Salani, MDTrends in Metastatic Uterine Leiomyosarcoma Following the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Warning on Laproscopic Power Morcellators
Michael Richardson, MDRitu Salani, MDUnderrepresentation of Racial and Ethnicity Minority Groups in Gynecologic Oncology Trials
Sonal Chaudhari, MDTiffany Lai, MD
Joshua Cohen, MD and Mae Zakhour, MD
Comparison of Mirena and Liletta Levonorgestrel Intrauterine Devices for the Treatment of Endometrial Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Grade 1 Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer
Kathleen Chung, MDYalda Afshar, MDEmergent Prelabor Cesarean Delivery in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Associated Risk Factors and Outcomes
Hannah Cundall, MDRajita Patil, MD
Alexander Chiang, MD
On-Q Pump for Postoperative Pain After Cesarean Section
Monica Gutierrez, MDTamara Grisales, MDExploring the Connection of Perineal Lacerations Degree Severity and Postpartum Depression
Jennifer Park, MDAnne Ackerman, MDPrimary Care Perceptions on the Barriers to Providing Guideline-Driven Care for Recurrent UTI
Lakshmi Ramachandran, MDKavita Vinear, MDThe Development, Validation, and Application of a State Specific Reproductive Health Scorecard to Investigate Trends in Abortion Restrictions
Jamie Temko, MDRajita Patil, MDComparison of Access to and Utilization of Healthcare Resources Between NTTA and CBMA

2021 (Fall) PGY4 Research Presentations

ResidentMentor(s)Research Topic
Catherine Gilwa, M.DRajita Patil, M.DFeasibility of No-Test Telemedicine Abortion During the Covid-19 Pandemic
K. Marie Douglass, M.D., MPHAparna Sridhar, M.D.Development and Comparison of An Audio and Video Podcast for Contraception Education for Medical Students
Ophelia Yin, M.D.Yalda Afshar, M.D., Ph.D.Single-Cell Analysis of Placenta Accreta Spectrum: Pathophysiology and Diagnostic Applications
Elias Kassir, M.D.Christine Han, M.D.Risk Factors for Measles Non-Immunity in Rubella-Immune Pregnant Patients
Liwen Xu, M.D.Deborah Krakow, M.D. and Yalda Afshar, M.D., Ph.D.Patterns of Peripartum Depression and Anxiety During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Registry Study
Cindy Hudson, M.D.Erica Oberman, M.D.The Transfer Resident
Ana Bermudez, M.D.Jacqueline Fahey, M.D.Myomectomy Complications, Comparing Open and Laparoscopic Approaches
Katelyn Furey, M.D.Lisa Garcia, M.D. and Dr. Christine Holschneider, M.D.Determination of Risk Strata for Endocervical Sampling at The Time of Colposcopy
Dipti Banerjee, M.D., MPHAlexandra Havard, M.D.Perioperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Myomectomy Surgery

2021 (Spring) PGY4 Research Presentations 

ResidentMentor(s)Research Topic
Alec Szlachta-McGinn, MDCecilia Wieslander, M.D.Referral Patterns of Women with Pelvic Floor Disorders from a Public Safety Net Hospital Gynecologic Oncology Clinic
Hency Patel, M.D.JValentina Rodriguez, M.D.Evaluation of Intraoperative Laparoscopic Ultrasonography to Enhance Fibroid Detection during Laparoscopic Myomectomy
Brittany Davis, M.D.Michelle Han, M.D.A Multidisciplinary Approach to Improve Contraception Access for Women with Psychiatric Illnesses
Jenny Mei, M.D.Yalda Afshar, M.D., Ph.D.Rates of Cesarean Conversion in Planned Vaginal Twin Deliveries: Do We Need the Operating Room? A Multi-Center Study and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Jeremy Chang, M.D.Jacqueline Fahey, M.D.Patient-reported Outcomes and Satisfaction after Laparoscopic Myomectomy
Megha Patel, M.DLauren Nathan, M.D.VBAC Rates Before and After Introduction of an OB/GYN Residency and Hospitalist Program
Katherine Goldrath, M.D.Christine Holschneider, M.D.Assessing Risk for Prolonged Opioid Use in the Peri-operative Setting for Gynecological Surgeries

2019 PGY3 Research Presentations

ResidentMentor(s)Research Topic
Abigail Armstrong, M.DCecilia Wieslander, M.D. and Christopher Tarnay, M.DTeaching Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises at The Time of Pelvic Exam
Anjali Hari, M.D.Joshua Cohen, M.D.Outcomes After Implementation of An Enhanced Recovery Pathway After Major Gynecologic Oncology Surgery at A Tertiary Care Center
Connie Cheng, M.D.Kathleen Brennan, M.D. and Molly Quinn, M.D.Aneuploidy Rates Among Young Oocyte Donors: Is There an Optimal Age for Donation?
Emily Lee, M.D.Ilina Datkhaeva, M.D. and Rashmi Rao, M.D.Marijuana Use in Pregnancy After Legalization and Associated Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes
Ilene Tsui, M.D.Carla Janzen, M.D.Retinal Changes in Women with Vascular Disease During Pregnancy
Janeine Tiu, M.DAparna Sridhar, M.D.Personal Digital Health Assistant for Contraception Decision Making: A Pilot Time Series Study
Nina Vyas, M.D.Molly Quinn, M.DReproductive Life Planning and Interest in Fertility Preservation Among Transgender and Gender Non-Binary Individuals

2018 PGY3 Research Presentations

ResidentMentor(s)Research Topic
Danielle Chiavetta, M.D.Christine Holschneider, M.D. and Lisa Garcia, M.D.Correlation of universal endocervical sampling at time of colposcopy and treatment of patients with high-grade cervical dysplasia
Jacqueline Fahey, M.D.Rashmi Rao M.D.Pregnancy outcomes of gestational diabetes mellitus using sweet success versus ACOG diagnostic guidelines
Julie Hein, M.D.Amy Stoddard, M.D.Contraceptive implant for adolescents: knowledge, attitudes and provision among family medicine and pediatrics residents
Lydia Lo, M.D.Leslie Carranza, M.D.Informed consent experience among spanish-speaking patients undergoing gynecologic surgery
Gelareh Nikpour, M.D.Radhika Rible, M.D. and Angela Chen, M.D.California state law (SB-999) and implementation: dispensing a year-long supply of prescription birth control 
Kelsey Rose, M.D.Yalda Afshar, M.D, Ph.D. and Kirsten Jensen, M.D.Simulation to improve trainee knowledge and comfort about forceps-assisted vaginal deliveries
Thalia Wong, M.D.Yalda Afshar, M.D, Ph.D., Lawrence Platt, M.D., and Christina Han, M.D.Predicting adverse outcomes in monochorionic diamniotic twins: the role of middle cerebral artery dopplers and cerebroplacental

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