Clinical research is central to the mission of the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine.
Our clinical research program is designed to support investigators throughout the research process, from an initial idea to a completed manuscript, grant application, or other scholarly deliverable.
Investigators have access to a collaborative network of faculty mentors, research leaders, data scientists, epidemiologists, biostatisticians, research coordinators, and other experts who can provide guidance and specialized support throughout a project.
Research ideas are evaluated for originality, innovation, and clinical relevance before moving through study design, regulatory review and data collection. Investigators can then receive support with patient recruitment, sample collection, data extraction, and analysis, as appropriate for the study. Once results are ready for dissemination, additional expertise is available to support manuscript development, editing, and grant preparation.
Building a Culture of Research
Mentorship and faculty development are central to our research mission. Experienced faculty help junior investigators strengthen their skills in research design, analysis, and project planning, while presentations and educational opportunities provide additional avenues for professional development.
Residents and fellows are also encouraged to participate in research and develop skills that will support their academic and professional growth.
Looking ahead, the program aims to expand the department's research capabilities by progressing from retrospective research toward prospective studies and small clinical trials, while exploring emerging opportunities such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
What Do We Offer?
Broad and diverse clinical research portfolio
We support a broad scope of research, including retrospective and outcomes research, data science and large data sets, prospective observational and interventional studies, and randomized clinical trials.
Experienced and dedicated research team
We have an excellent team, including an experienced associate director and 4 research coordinators who provide hands-on support to principal investigators with their projects.
Comprehensive, end-to-end clinical research support
As part of the journey through clinical research, we have created a “Research Circle” that faculty / principal investigators (novice and experienced) can follow to achieve their clinical research goalsWe provide faculty with full-lifecycle support across all phases of clinical research. This includes mentorship and guidance during study conception, design, and operationalization; regulatory support: study related IRB, DUA, and OSP submissions; and hands-on support for data collection, data entry, and biospecimen collection, including phlebotomy. The division also assists investigators with study execution, abstract preparation, and manuscript development and submission, ensuring continuity and momentum from project initiation through dissemination of results.
We have an established clinical research team that can assist you with your research goals:
- Brant Wagener, MD, PhD, Director: bwagener@uabmc.edu
- Ayesha Bryant, MSPH, MD, Associate Director: asbryant@uabmc.edu
- LaShun Horn, MS , Research Coordinator: llhorn@uabmc.edu
- Shanna Graves, Research Coordinator: shannagraves@uabmc.edu
- Karuna Henderson, Research Coordinator: kllee@uabmc.edu
- Roxana Satander Chapeta, MD, Research Coordinator: rsatanderchapeta@uabmc.edu
Key clinical research collaborators and additional resources.
- Elizabeth Baker, Biostatistician: elizabethbaker@uabmc.edu
- Ryan Melvin, Principal Data Scientist: rmelvin@uabmc.edu
- Wendy Baker, Clinical Trials Grants Coordinator: wbaker@uabmc.edu
- Harold Goss, Librarian: hgoss@uabmc.edu
- Dave Benz, Anesthesiology Research IT Support: dbenz@uabmc.edu
Questions? Contact Us
Brant Wagener, M.D., Ph.D., Professor
Director
bwagener@uabmc.edu