By Ronald D. Pearl, MD, PhD, FASA and Mark Zakowski, MD, FASA
The California Society of Anesthesiologists’ Foundation for Education is pleased to announce the recipients of its inaugural Research Grant Awards. These grants fund research awards to support research projects concerning quality of care, patient safety by residents and fellows in California Anesthesiology training programs. The CSA Foundation for Education also supports STEM education outreach between residency programs and local high schools, history of anesthesia, and public education about Anesthesiology. These programs reflect the Foundation’s commitment to encouraging early career research and fostering the next generation of physician investigators in California.
The response to the inaugural program was exceptionally strong. Proposals represented multiple academic institutions across California and reflected a broad spectrum of investigation, including basic science, clinical research, health services research, database studies, global health and quality improvement initiatives.
Each application underwent a comprehensive review by members of the CSA Foundation Board. Reviewers evaluated the quality of the applicant, the mentorship, the research plan, the significance of the proposed work, and the proposal’s overall potential impact. Following review and discussion, the Foundation Board voted to fund two proposals during this inaugural grant cycle.
Anthony Hung, MD, PhD
Stanford University School of Medicine
Project: Temporal Trends and Rural-Urban Disparities in Perioperative Outcomes in Older Adults Undergoing Major Cardiac Surgery: A Claims-Based National Cohort Study
Dr. Hung’s project examines rural and urban differences in perioperative outcomes over time following major cardiac surgery using a national Medicare claims database. The study seeks to identify practical approaches to reducing disparities in surgical outcomes and improving care for older adults.
Muhib Haidari, MD, MBA
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Project: Lipid Emulsion as a Novel Metabolic and STAT3-Directed Therapy for Sepsis-Induced Cardiomyopathy
Dr. Haidari’s laboratory investigation explores a novel therapeutic approach to sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy using intravenous lipid emulsion and investigates the molecular mechanisms through which it may preserve cardiac function.
One of the goals of the CSA Foundation is to encourage residents and fellows to pursue meaningful research early in their careers. These inaugural awards represent an important first step toward building a sustainable research program, and we hope to expand the Foundation’s ability to support promising research in the years ahead.
Drs. Hung and Haidari will be recognized at the CSA 2027 Annual Anesthesia Conference and Board Meeting, where they will present the results of their funded research.
If you are interested in supporting the CSA Foundation Research Grant Program, please consider making a contribution through the Foundation’s donation page or contact Megan MacNee, Executive Director of the CSA Foundation, at mmacnee@csahq.org for additional information about supporting the Foundation’s research mission.