This June, the College of Health Professions at Upstate hosted its first research conference. Developed out of the work of the Interprofessional Research Committee, this conference is one of their efforts to foster collaborative relationships with the CHP, Upstate, and international health professionals. 

Professor Gary Neiman talks about how to create a successful research team, drawing on his 48 years of experience conducting research at Upstate Medical University.

Supported by the Dean of the CHP Katherine Beissner, PT, PhD who delivered the opening remarks, this conference has a specific goal of encouraging and inspiring new and future researchers; those at Upstate who are new to research and may be looking for ideas, collaborators, and resources. The day featured a wide variety of topics and speakers; from long-time researchers giving advice, highlighting different types of projects, and newer researchers presenting their new work for discussion and advice. 

With a passion for bringing together people from different departments, institutions, and even countries, Chair of the Interprofessional Research Committee and Assistant Dean of the CHP for Interprofessional Research Hani Aiash, MD, PhD was the leading charge behind this conference. “’We’ is better than ‘I’,” says Aiash, who wants to break down barriers anyone at the CHP might run into when attempting to start the research process.  

Professor Gary Neiman presented the keynote address, which focused on explaining to grow a successful research program and advice for newer researchers culled from his 48 years of experience at Upstate, much of that spent as the Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Surgery. 

While beginning a project can be a daunting task, attendees heard about alternative research methods they may have not been familiar with that could be a good fit for the work they're trying to do. Assistant Professor from the College of Nursing Kathryn Holliday, DNP, CPNP- PC, CNE, CHSE presented the important information that can be gained from qualitative research, while Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Neuroscience and Physiology Andrew Craig, PhD described how he uses single case designs in his work. 

Dr. Aiash presents awards to Sierra Coyle, MS RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS (left) and Julia Vinagolu-Baur (right) stands in front of her poster that was awarded at the first CHP Research Conference.

Two posters were honored during the poster project session; a recent graduate of the CHP's MedPrep program Julia Vinagolu-Baur presented the project ”Promoting health equity through audio-only telemedicine post-COVID". Assistant Professor of Respiratory Therapy Sierra Coyle, MS RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, presented “The Use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and Protective Mechanical Ventilation in the Treatment of Acute Respiratory Failure”. 

“This is a great time for research at Upstate,” said Vice President of Research Dave Amberg, PhD during his closing remarks. “In my 30 years, I’ve never seen such support from University leadership.”  

If you want to learn more about or get involved with the Interprofessional Research Committee, reach out to Dr. Aiash at aiashh@upstate.edu.

Interested in finding out more about resources available at Upstate to help at every level of the research process? Feel free to reach out to Research Administration if you need advice about how to get started, researchadmin@upstate.edu. 

If you’re a nurse, you can check out the new website focused on services available to support all types of projects here at Upstate- www.upstate.edu/nursing/research or email Upstate’s Nurse Scientist Jolene Kittle, PhD, RN at kittlej@upstate.edu