Obstetrics & Gynecology
Resident Research
Required Resident Research Project
The UCLA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident Research
Research Day 2025
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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.
2026 PGY4 Research Presentations
| Resident | Mentor(s) | Research Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Omar Rosete, MD | Alexander Chiang, MD | Artificial Intelligence in Gynecology: Case Challenge Project |
| Esther Wu, MD | Zain Al-Safi, MD | Predictors of clinic-level pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) utilization and its association with live birth rates in US-based Assisted Reproductive Technology programs |
| Pirsca Diala, MD | Yalda Afshar, MD, PhD | Peripartum cardiomyopathy: impact of delivery mode on maternal and cardiopulmonary outcomes |
| Daniel Castaneda, MD | Carla Janzen, MD, PhD | Developing an Outpatient Induction Workflow on UCLA Labor and Delivery Units |
| Kristen Hori, MD | Zain Al-Safi, MD | Fertility preservation in patients with predisposition to ovarian cancer, Effect of Growth Hormone on Embryo Euploidy Rates |
| Audra Fain, MD | Neil Silverman, MD | Evaluation of On-Site, Same-Visit Availability of Maternal RSV Immunization: Patient Outcomes, Satisfaction, and Costs |
2025 PGY4 Research Presentations
| Resident | Mentor(s) | Research Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Rachel Acree, MD | Christina Han, MD | Health fatalism in diabetes in pregnancy |
| Sabrina Alexander, MD | Yalda Afshar, MD, PhD Deborah Krakow, MD |
Labor's non-impact on subsequent placenta accreta spectrum risk: laboring towards insight |
| Karina Gomez, MD | Dana Chase, MD | Effective and durable pain control in the perioperative setting: epidural, TAP or QL block |
| Sandy Hoang, MD | Kathryn Goldrath, MD | Survey of patient preference and acceptance of transvaginal natural orfice transluminal endoscopy (VNOTES) versus laparoscopy for sterilization |
| Vignesh Ramchandran, MD | Dana Chase, MD | Ovarian cancer patient characteristics associated with seeking a seond opinion at a gynecologic oncology university practice |
| Anais Stepanian, MD | Rajita Patil, MD Rashmi Mullur, MD |
Supplement use among menopausal women in Los Angeles |
| Brittany Bergam, MD | Sneha Subhash, MD Molly Zielenbach, MD |
Quality improvement initiative reduce nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex cesarean rate in a public, safety net hospital |
| Alexander Gould, MD | Christina Han, MD | Induction of labor interventions and maternal and neonatal outcomes |
| Monica Stretten, MD | Christopher Douglas, MD Daniel Lee, MD |
Clinical facotrs associated with bilateral oophorectomy at time of gender affirming hysterectomy |
2024 PGY4 Research Presentations
| Resident | Mentor(s) | Research Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandra Mardock, MD | Tiffany Lai, MD | Association of Palliative Care Utilization with Readmission and Resource Utilization in Patients with Ovarian Cancer: A National Perspective |
| Rachel Martel, MD | Lindsay Kroener, MD | Aneuploidy 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, MD | Christina Han, MD | Association of Prior COVID-19 Infection with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus |
| Lauren Sanchez, MD | Christopher Tarnay, MD Alexandra Goodwin, MD |
Transvaginal Hysterectomy: An Educational Video to Improve Resident Surgical Training and Preparedness for Vaginal Surgery |
| Delaney Scollan, MD | Hannah Reise, MD Radhika Rible, MD | Azithromycin as Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Surgical Abortion: An Evaluation of Patient Tolerance |
| Elaine Chan, MD | Neil Silverman, MD | Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Existing Disparities in Congenital Syphilis Rates Across Los Angeles County |
| Maria Paula Arias, MD | Ilina Plluym, MD Lisa Nicholas, MD |
Patient Satisfaction and Pregnancy Outcomes of a Resident-Led Virtual Program of Group Prenatal Care |
| Jessica Van Fleet, MD | Kathryn Goldrath,MD Daniel Ginn, MD Haatal Dave, MD |
Evaluating Inter-Reader Reliability When Using MRI For Preoperative Endometriosis Diagnosis |
2023 PGY4 Research Presentations
| Resident | Mentor(s) | Research Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Deanna Wong, MD | Ritu Salani, MD | Trends in Metastatic Uterine Leiomyosarcoma Following the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Warning on Laproscopic Power Morcellators |
| Michael Richardson, MD | Ritu Salani, MD | Underrepresentation of Racial and Ethnicity Minority Groups in Gynecologic Oncology Trials |
| Sonal Chaudhari, MD | Tiffany Lai, MD Joshua Cohen, MD 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, MD | Yalda Afshar, MD | Emergent Prelabor Cesarean Delivery in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Associated Risk Factors and Outcomes |
| Hannah Cundall, MD | Rajita Patil, MD Alexander Chiang, MD |
On-Q Pump for Postoperative Pain After Cesarean Section |
| Monica Gutierrez, MD | Tamara Grisales, MD | Exploring the Connection of Perineal Lacerations Degree Severity and Postpartum Depression |
| Jennifer Park, MD | Anne Ackerman, MD | Primary Care Perceptions on the Barriers to Providing Guideline-Driven Care for Recurrent UTI |
| Lakshmi Ramachandran, MD | Kavita Vinear, MD | The Development, Validation, and Application of a State Specific Reproductive Health Scorecard to Investigate Trends in Abortion Restrictions |
| Jamie Temko, MD | Rajita Patil, MD | Comparison of Access to and Utilization of Healthcare Resources Between NTTA and CBMA |
2021 (Fall) PGY4 Research Presentations
| Resident | Mentor(s) | Research Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Catherine Gilwa, MD | Rajita Patil, MD | Feasibility of No-Test Telemedicine Abortion During the Covid-19 Pandemic |
| K. Marie Douglass, MD, MPH | Aparna Sridhar, MD | Development and Comparison of An Audio and Video Podcast for Contraception Education for Medical Students |
| Ophelia Yin, MD | Yalda Afshar, MD, PhD | Single-Cell Analysis of Placenta Accreta Spectrum: Pathophysiology and Diagnostic Applications |
| Elias Kassir, MD | Christine Han, MD | Risk Factors for Measles Non-Immunity in Rubella-Immune Pregnant Patients |
| Liwen Xu, MD | Deborah Krakow, MD Yalda Afshar, MD, PhD |
Patterns of Peripartum Depression and Anxiety During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Registry Study |
| Cindy Hudson, MD | Erica Oberman, MD | The Transfer Resident |
| Ana Bermudez, MD | Jacqueline Fahey, MD | Myomectomy Complications, Comparing Open and Laparoscopic Approaches |
| Katelyn Furey, MD | Lisa Garcia, MD Christine Holschneider, MD |
Determination of Risk Strata for Endocervical Sampling at The Time of Colposcopy |
| Dipti Banerjee, MD, MPH | Alexandra Havard, MD | Perioperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Myomectomy Surgery |
2021 (Spring) PGY4 Research Presentations
| Resident | Mentor(s) | Research Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Alec Szlachta-McGinn, MD | Cecilia 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.D | Lauren 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
| Resident | Mentor(s) | Research Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Abigail Armstrong, M.D | Cecilia Wieslander, M.D. and Christopher Tarnay, M.D | Teaching 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.D | Aparna Sridhar, M.D. | Personal Digital Health Assistant for Contraception Decision Making: A Pilot Time Series Study |
| Nina Vyas, M.D. | Molly Quinn, M.D | Reproductive Life Planning and Interest in Fertility Preservation Among Transgender and Gender Non-Binary Individuals |
2018 PGY3 Research Presentations
| Resident | Mentor(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 |