Research Projects & Grants

College/University

• Continuity versus discontinuity for bowel injury in damage control laparotomy: A prospective multi- institutional study, Role: Investigator, University of Southern California, (04/2020 - 04/2021) Status: Completed
• The small (14F) Percutaneous Catheter vs. Large (28-40F) open chest tube for traumatic Hemothorax (PCAT): A multi-center randomized clinical trial (NCT03546764), Role: Investigator, University of Arizona, (04/2020 - 04/2022) Status: Completed
• Anticoagulation in emergency general surgery: Who bleeds more? The ACES trial, Role: Investigator, University of Maryland, (02/2019) Status: Approved

County/Local

• Subtotal Cholecystectomy for complicated acute cholecystitis: A multicenter prospective observational study, Role: Investigator, LAC+USC Medical Center, (03/2019) Status: Approved
• Testing the effectiveness of a city and community based violence intervention program, Role: Investigator/Study Contact, City of San Bernardino, (03/2021) Status: Approved

Default Sponsor Type

• Partial REBOA Outcomes Multicenter Prospective (PROMPT) Study, Role: Grant Manager, PRYTIME MEDICAL, (08/2024 - 11/2025) Status: Awarded
• Continuity versus discontinuity for bowel injury in damage control laparotomy: A prospective multi- institutional study, Role: Investigator, University of Southern California, (04/2020 - 04/2021) Status: Completed

Federal

• Synchrotron-Based Scanning Research and Biologic Effects Modulated by Various Scanning Techniques, Role: Co-PD/PI, Department of Defense, (09/2009 - 10/2013) Status: Closed
• Scanning Proton Beam System for Treating Large and Complex Volumes, Role: Co-PD/PI, United States Army, (09/2007 - 12/2012) Status: Closed
• Study to Measure Biologic Effects by Proton Scanning Techniques, Role: Co-PD/PI, Department of Defense, (09/2007 - 12/2012) Status: Closed
• Th cell gene expression and function in response to low dose and acute radiation, Role: Faculty, Department of Energy, (01/2007 - 12/2011) Status: Closed

Internal

• Evaluating the Diagnostic Accuracy of Point-of-Care Ultrasonography for Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (08/2024) Status: Approved
• The association of socio-economic status on ATV injury risk in San Bernardino County, Role: Investigator/Study Contact, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (08/2024) Status: Approved
• Prospective Study on the Outcomes of Diabetic Foot Ulcer Management in Multidisciplinary Wound Clinic, Role: Investigator/Study Contact, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (06/2024) Status: Approved
• Robotic Acute Care Surgery (ACS) Utilization and Outcomes: An EAST Prospective, Observational Propensity Matched Multicenter Trial, Role: Investigator/Study Contact, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (05/2024) Status: Approved
• Assessing the safety of laparoscopic surgery in pregnant patients based on trimester of pregnancy, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (05/2024) Status: Approved
• Prediction of common bile duct stones in patients with suspected choledocholithiasis using dynamic analysis of liver function tests and imaging parameters, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (04/2024) Status: Approved
• Retrospective Review Of Wound Management Outcome In Patients With Diabetic Foot Ulcer, Role: Investigator/Study Contact, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (04/2024) Status: Approved
• Cryoablation of intercostal nerves and multimodal pain therapy in traumatic rib fractures pain management, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (02/2024) Status: Approved
• Modified Nelson Neuro Trauma Admission Algorithm (MONNTANA) Study, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (02/2024) Status: Approved
• Evaluation of risk factors related to thromboembolic events in patients with multiple trauma, Role: Investigator/Study Contact, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (02/2024) Status: Approved
• Performance of prediction rules for pediatric blunt trauma in trauma centers without current guidelines: a retrospective study, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (01/2024) Status: Approved
• Pediatric Cervical Spine Clearance: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (09/2023) Status: Approved
• Effect of Hypocalcemia in Trauma Patients, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (08/2023) Status: Approved
• CORVETS-TBI (Coagulopathy Reduction with ViscoElastic Testing for Severe Traumatic Brain Injury, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (08/2023) Status: Approved
• Assessment of prehospital airway placements in the setting of trauma: An American Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter study, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (07/2023) Status: Approved
• Pediatric head gunshot trauma from 2014 to 2023, concentrating on the period during COVID, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (07/2023) Status: Approved
• AAST vascular trauma registry: The prospective observational vascular injury trial (PROOVIT), Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (05/2023 - 03/2024) Status: Completed
• In-hospital Outcomes and Long-term Mortality in Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale Score of 3 on Admission, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (04/2023 - 07/2024) Status: Completed
• Unnecessary Gastrostomy Tube (G-tube) Placement Across Multiple Trauma Centers, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (03/2023) Status: Approved
• Multi-Center Study of Universal CTA Necks for Major Blunt Trauma Patients, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (03/2023) Status: Approved
• Retrospective and prospective analysis of trauma activations after legalization of marijuana, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (03/2023 - 02/2024) Status: Completed
• The Utility of Serial Hemoglobin Monitoring in Non-Operative Management of Blunt Splenic Injury (BSI), Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (03/2023) Status: Approved
• Pilot, non-masked, randomized clinical trial for evaluation of stroke rate in patients with blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) treated with oral acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) 81 mg versus ASA 325 mg (BASA), Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (02/2023) Status: Approved
• The trends in rates of traumatic injuries in San Bernardino County Pre- and Post-COVID-19 pandemic, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (02/2023) Status: Approved
• Rapid Administration of Massive Blood Transfusion--Type O (RAMBO-10) for Level A trauma patients, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (01/2023) Status: Approved
• A retrospective comparison of the effectiveness of small-bore pigtail catheters (PC) versus traditional chest tubes (CT) for hemothorax in pediatric trauma, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (01/2023) Status: Approved
• Assessing safety of laparoscopic surgery in pregnant patients based on trimester, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (12/2022) Status: Approved
• Mechanical Bull Riding Injuries in Pediatric Trauma Patients, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (11/2022) Status: Approved
• Methamphetamine (METH) use in emergency surgery and traumatic brain injury patients, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (10/2022) Status: Approved
• Rate of stroke in Aspirin-based management of patients with Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury (BCVI), Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (10/2022) Status: Approved
• Outcomes after Violent Injuries in the Pediatric Community, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (09/2022) Status: Approved
• Safety evaluation of increased LMWH dosing in TBI patients based on anti-Xa levels, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (09/2022) Status: Approved
• Does Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) Really Correlate with American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Organ Injury Scale (AAST OIS) in Patients with Abdominal Trauma: A Multicenter Study, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (08/2022) Status: Approved
• Hemorrhage control Interventions in Pelvic fractures Study (HIPS): A Prospective observational, multicenter study of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (08/2022) Status: Approved
• Restraint usage evaluation in acute care surgery and trauma patients, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (06/2022) Status: Approved
• Wound Irrigation and Peritoneal Lavage with Diluted Aqueous Povidone-Iodine compared to Saline to Decrease Surgical Site Infections, Role: Regulatory Coordinator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (05/2022) Status: Approved
• Obstetric Trauma: A Review of the Incidence, Risk Factors, and Maternal-fetal Outcomes, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (05/2022) Status: Approved
• AAST Multicenter Trial: Utilization of Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB) in Traumatic Injuries, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (03/2022) Status: Approved
• Prospective Observational Trial Examining Nationwide Trends of Aggressive Resuscitation Protocols for Catastrophic Brain Injuries, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (02/2022) Status: Approved
• Prospective Study of Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) Prophylaxis and Outcomes, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (10/2021) Status: Approved
• Morel-Lavallée (ML) lesions diagnostic and treatment a multicenter prospective observational study, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (10/2021) Status: Approved
• Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis in trauma and surgical critical care patients, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (07/2021) Status: Approved
• Pregnant trauma patients: Common injury patterns to guide CT imaging protocols, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (07/2021) Status: Approved
• Low-Titer Type O Positive Whole Blood Versus Component Therapy for Emergent Transfusion in Trauma Patients, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (05/2021) Status: Approved
• Cognitive Outcomes and NeuroStimulants among the Cerebrally Injured & Obtunded in the United States: The CONSCIOUS Study, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (05/2021) Status: Approved
• Outcomes of Early Initiation of Venous Thromboembolism (VTD) Prophylaxis in Isolated Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (04/2021) Status: Approved
• Contemporary Management of Right Upper Quadrant Gunshot Wounds, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (04/2021) Status: Approved
• Wound Management in Emergency Colorectal Surgery: To Close or Not to Close?, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (04/2021 - 03/2024) Status: Completed
• Scanning the aged to minimize missed injury- EAST multicenter prospective observational study, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (03/2021) Status: Approved
• Social Determinants of Acute Abdomen Outcomes, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (03/2021) Status: Approved
• Damage-Control Thoracotomy in Thoracic Trauma: Does it Decrease Mortality in Comparison to Definitive Wound Closure Procedures?, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (03/2021) Status: Approved
• Radiographic Evaluation of Delayed Solid Organ Complications (REDSOC) Study, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (03/2021) Status: Approved
• Surgical Critical Care during COVID-19 Pandemic, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (02/2021) Status: Approved
• Management of Acute Appendicitis and Cholecystitis During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An EAST Multicenter Contemporaneous Cohort Study, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (02/2021) Status: Approved
• Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion (REBOA) and the use in placenta accreta to minimize blood loss, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (01/2021) Status: Approved
• Intravenous Lidocaine Infusion for Pain in Critically Ill Patients, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Pharmacy Practice, (12/2020) Status: Approved
• Multi-institutional Study of Pediatric Renal Trauma, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Urology, (12/2020) Status: Approved
• Utility of Screening tests to in predicting clinically relevant liver and GU injuries, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (07/2020) Status: Approved
• Characterization of Genilourinary and Pelvic Trauma in Pediatric Patients, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Urology, (07/2020) Status: Approved
• Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) Development and Progression after Trauma, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (07/2020) Status: Approved
• Severity of Illness and Outcomes in Emergency General Surgery before and after California Shelter-In-Place order, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (05/2020 - 07/2024) Status: Completed
• Mechanisms of Injury of Trauma Patients Before and After California Stay-at-Home Order for COVID-19, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (04/2020 - 07/2024) Status: Completed
• A study to quantify and describe gunshot wound victims’ recidivism (GVRC), Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (04/2020 - 08/2021) Status: Completed
• Prospective comparison of a short versus long chest tube water seal trial for traumatic pneumothorax, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (04/2020) Status: Approved
• Determining rates of superficial surgical site infections by closing damaged control laparotomy incisions with wicks, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (04/2020) Status: Approved
• Prospective, observational trial of blunt cerebrovascular injury management and stroke formation (BCVI), Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (03/2020 - 03/2021) Status: Completed
• DaMAge control in Emergency General SuRgery with Intra-abDominal Infection and course of ANtibiotics (MERIDIAN Study) 2, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (02/2020) Status: Approved
• Defining outcomes after Ultra-Massive transfusion (UMT) in the modern era of balanced and goal-directed resuscitation, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (02/2020) Status: Approved
• Medical management of grade 1/2 splenic injuries with active extravasation, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (02/2020 - 09/2024) Status: Completed
• Multi-Institutional validation of trauma specific frailty index, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (10/2019 - 03/2022) Status: Completed
• Spinal trauma and spinal cord injury: Operative and Non-operative cases, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Neurosurgery, (10/2019) Status: Approved
• Traumatic brain injury and neurological decline: Operative and non-operative cases, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Neurosurgery, (10/2019) Status: Approved
• Pediatric non-accidental trauma: Operative cases, non-operative cases, and associated factors, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Neurosurgery, (10/2019) Status: Approved
• Management of penetrating and blunt gastric injuries: Can we do better?, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (08/2019) Status: Approved
• Evaluation of angioembolization for liver injuries with CT identified blush: A Western Trauma, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (07/2019) Status: Approved
• Short versus long duration of antimicrobial therapy after sourer control for necrotizing skin and soft tissue infections (NECSkin Study), Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (07/2019) Status: Approved
• Prospective, multicenter derivation and validation of a NECROtizing Soft Tissue Infection Severity (NECROSIS) Score, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (06/2019) Status: Approved
• Correlation of real-time ABCDEF Bundle Compliance with outcome in ICU patients, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (05/2019) Status: Approved
• Appendicitis in North America: a prospective observational study of the demographics, presentation, and outcomes of acute, perforated, and gangrenous appendicitis, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (04/2019 - 04/2020) Status: Completed
• Current management of suspected retained common bile duct stones in gallstone pancreatitis and choledocholithiasis, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (04/2019 - 04/2020) Status: Completed
• Brain vs. Bone: Does fracture fixation technique influence outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI)?, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (03/2019) Status: Approved
• Multi-center trial examining pre-hospital procedures in penetrating trauma patients, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (03/2019) Status: Approved
• The effect of pre-hospital care on gunshot wound patient outcomes: A multicenter study, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (11/2018 - 11/2019) Status: Completed
• Trauma ICU prevalence project (TRIPP study), Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (11/2018 - 11/2019) Status: Completed
• AAST multicenter prospective observational study of trauma patients on novel oral anticoagulants, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (09/2018 - 09/2019) Status: Completed
• Hemothorax management and outcomes in blunt penetrating trauma, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (09/2018 - 09/2019) Status: Completed
• Optimal management of pancreatic trauma: A multi institutional study of the AAST, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (07/2018 - 07/2019) Status: Completed
• Small bowel perforation after blunt abdominal trauma: diagnosis, morbidity, and mortality, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (07/2018 - 07/2019) Status: Completed
• The economic impact of trauma, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (05/2018 - 05/2019) Status: Completed
• Outcomes of emergency surgery and trauma cases done at night, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (05/2018 - 05/2019) Status: Completed
• Effect of regional anesthesia on delirium in geriatric patients after blunt thoracic trauma, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (04/2018 - 04/2019) Status: Completed
• Secondary brain infarctions after penetrating brain injuries, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (04/2018 - 04/2019) Status: Completed
• Colorectal resection in emergency general surgery- to anastomose, or not to anastomose, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (03/2018 - 03/2019) Status: Completed
• Establishing the limits of aggressive resuscitation in patients with gunshot wounds to the brain, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (02/2018 - 02/2019) Status: Completed
• Thoracolumbar spine evaluation and screening after trauma, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (02/2018 - 02/2019) Status: Completed
• Perforated esophageal intervention focus (PERF) study, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (02/2018 - 02/2019) Status: Completed
• The radiographic evaluation of vascular injury in the lower extremity: utility of CTA and significant findings, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (02/2018 - 02/2019) Status: Completed
• Multi-institutional evaluation of the current management of traumatic pelvic fracture, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (12/2017 - 12/2018) Status: Completed
• Practice pattern variation in discontinuing mechanical ventilation in critically ill adults: An international prospective observational study, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (12/2017 - 12/2018) Status: Completed
• The role of pre-hospital Tranexamic Acid (TXA) to improve traumatic hemorrhagic shock outcomes., Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (12/2017 - 12/2018) Status: Completed
• Emergency department thoracotomy (EDT) occupational blood exposure, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (11/2017 - 11/2018) Status: Completed
• Management of pneumatosis intestinalis: A prospective multicenter study, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (09/2017 - 09/2018) Status: Completed
• Presumptive antibiotics in tube thoracostomy for traumatic hemopneumothorax: A prospective, multicenter American Association for the Surgery of Trauma study, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (09/2017 - 09/2018) Status: Completed
• Stapled vs handsewn: A prospective emergency surgery study (SHAPES), Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (09/2017 - 09/2018) Status: Completed
• The cardiovascular effects of rapid sequence intubation in hypotensive patients, reconsidering the A, B, C's of trauma resuscitation, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (09/2017 - 09/2018) Status: Completed
• Prospective analysis of Type A plasma as an alternative to AB plasma in massive transfusion, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (07/2017 - 07/2018) Status: Completed
• Ileostomy and washout for C. difficile associated disease, effectiveness in the acute phase, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (06/2017 - 06/2018) Status: Completed
• Screening for interpersonal and sexual violence in a level I trauma center, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (04/2017 - 04/2018) Status: Completed
• Triage and survival rates for pulseless trauma patients, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (02/2017 - 02/2018) Status: Completed
• The Role of Exosomes in Traumatic Brain Injured (TBI) Patient Outcomes, Role: Co-Investigator, LLU School of Medicine, (01/2013 - 06/2017) Status: Closed
• School of Medicine Seed Money Award, Role: Principal Investigator, LLU Dept. of Medicine, (02/2009 - 02/2013) Status: Closed
• In-hospital Outcomes and Long-term Morbidity and Mortality in Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale Score Equal to or less than 8 on Admission, Role: Investigator/Study Contact, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (08/2023) Status: Approved
• Pre-hospital measurement of End-Title CO2 as a predictor of massive transfusion in trauma patients, Role: Investigator, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (02/2020 - 06/2020) Status: Completed
• Patterns of Portable Inflatable Amusement Device (PIAD) Related Injury Seen at a Level One Trauma Center, Role: Investigator/Study Contact, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (10/2024) Status: Approved
• Injury Severity of Trauma Patients Discharged from the Emergency Department –Comparative Analysis Across Trauma Centers, Role: Investigator/Study Contact, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (09/2024) Status: Approved
• Direct Peritoneal Resuscitation (DPR) in Trauma and Emergency General Surgery Patients: A Multicenter Prospective Study, Role: Investigator/Study Contact, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (09/2024) Status: Approved
• Answering the Call for Surgeon Response to NAT: A Retrospective Review, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (08/2024) Status: Approved
• Traumatic Amputations in Children: A Costly Epidemic, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (08/2024) Status: Approved
• Evaluating Substance Use in Pediatric Trauma, Role: Research Manager, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (08/2024) Status: Approved
• Multicenter study of CT imaging in pediatric abdominal seatbelt sign, Role: Investigator/Study Contact, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (09/2024) Status: Approved
• Tattoo Removal Program for Trauma Prevention and Recidivism, Role: Investigator/Study Contact, LLU Dept. of Surgery, (04/2025) Status: Approved

Non-Profit Organization

• The PROspective Observational Vascular Injury Trial (PROOVIT), Role: Trauma Research Manager, National Trauma Institute, (12/2015 - 05/2018) Status: Closed