Human Subjects Research

I have conceptualized, designed and setup experiments, developed tools for data logging and labeling, collected and curated surgical data sets containing video, tool motion and sensor data and maintained HIPAA data sets for multiple human subjects research projects.

During the process of designing and conducting these studies, I have gained considerable experience in writing IRB applications, working with the clinical engineering, IT and networking personnel as well as consulting the operating room and nursing staff. Below is the list of some of the studies that I have taken through from conception to outcomes.

Real-time feedback for virtual reality simulation-based surgical training

Principal Investigator (PI): Anthony Jarc, Henry Lin at Intuitive Surgical Inc. (ISI)

Year: 2015

Goal: to study the effect of real-time teaching cues on surgical skill acquisition using virtual reality simulation (Randomized Control Trial).

Crowdsourcing surgical skill assessment

PI: Gregory Hager, Johns Hopkins University (JHU)

Year: 2014 - present

Goal: to test validity and reliability of skill ratings from surgically untrained individuals on pairwise comparisons of training task performances.

Robotic surgery training program for multiple surgical specialties

PI: Gyusung Lee, Minimally Invasive Surgery Training and Innovation Center (MISTIC), JHU

Year: 2013 to 2015

Goal: to investigate the effectiveness of a training program using performance metrics and feedback systems with residents from various urology, gynecology, general, cardiac surgery.

Impact of preoperative warm-up on robotic operative performance

PI: Chi Chiung Grace Chen, JHU

Year: 2012 to 2014

Goal: to study whether a virtual reality skills simulator warm-up prior to a da Vinci hysterectomy surgery improves a surgical residents operative performance. (Randomized Control Trial)

Robotic surgery training curriculum in head and neck surgery

PI: Jeremy Richmon, JHU

Year: 2010 to 2011

Goal: to develop and study effectiveness of a three stage head and neck surgery resident skills training curriculum for robot-assisted procedures.

Multi-Site robotic surgery technical skills training

PI: Gregory Hager, JHU

Year: 2009 to 2011

Goal: to develop objective metrics for skill assessment using tool motion data from da Vinci systems collected at multiple medical institutions.