Research in the Department of Anesthesia at the University of Iowa has active research programs in both basic science and clinical investigations. With respect to basic science research, five PhD or MD faculty research programs occupy over 5,000 sq ft of well-equipped laboratory space, supported extramurally by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). There are 30 core research facilities that significantly enhance our research environment, because they conduct the experiments and train residents and fellows in the emphasized technology. Statistical consultation is available within the Department, as well as through the Biostatistics core of the Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS). To assist these efforts, the Department employs a core team of clinical research coordinators who support faculty research through IRB preparation and reporting, data acquisition and entry, as well as patient consenting and enrolling.
Clinical investigations occur in several subspecialties, including:
- Cardiothoracic Anesthesia
- Chronic Pain Medicine
- Critical Care Medicine
- Neuroanesthesia
- Obstetrical Anesthesia
- Operating Room Management
- Pediatric Anesthesia
- Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine
Basic science research topics include:
- Neurobiology of acute and chronic pain
- Analgesic pharmacology
- Effects of drugs on learning and memory
- Chronification of pain after injury
- Genetic and environmental modifiers of neurological diseases
- Lung biomechanics
- Identification and trialing of self-management for chronic pain