Resident Research

LeMoyne Habimana-Griffin, MD, PhD – PGY-5

My postdoctoral research focuses on leveraging the gut microbiome to enhance the therapeutic ratio of cancer therapy under the mentorship of Professor Gautam Dantas. Key highlights of my work include:

• Presenting a forthcoming proffered paper at ESTRO on this research.
• Receiving an RSNA Resident Research Grant.
• Contributing to a published manuscript demonstrating Saccharomyces boulardii as a probiotic chassis for immunotherapy delivery.
• Submission of first-author manuscript on a novel, clinically relevant focal duodenal irradiation model to investigate gut microbiome interactions in radiation-induced intestinal injury.

Justin Barnes, MD – PGY-5

My current research includes, a prospective study examining Enhanced Assistance during Radiotherapy for unmet essential Needs (EARN) to prevent radiation treatment delays and treatment noncompletion. Recruitment is ongoing, and we’ve accrued over 2/3 of our patients thus far.

A study using national survey data to assess the impact of opioid prescribing guidelines and state opioid prescribing legislation on pain control outcomes among cancer survivors. The project will be presented later this year.

A study using national survey data to assess the impact of high-deductible health plans on cost-driven barriers to medical care and survival among cancer survivors. Different parts of the project were presented in oral presentations at ASCO and ASTRO last year.

A study using state cancer databases to assess the impact of state mandatory sick leave policies on cancer stage at diagnosis and survival. Different parts of the project were presented in oral and poster presentations at ASCO.

Shannon Jiang, MD – PGY-2

My primary research interests focus on palliative care and enhancing patient quality of life. Some current projects include: (1) identifying disease sites in patients with multiple myeloma that are at increased risk for progression to skeletal-related events; (2) evaluating the impact of early intervention with palliative radiation therapy in patients with multiple myeloma; and (3) investigating the role of stereotactic arrhythmia radiotherapy (STAR) as a novel treatment approach for patients with refractory ventricular tachycardia.

Ryan Mueller, MD, RT(T) – PGY-4

During residency, I have worked on a variety of research projects. These include assessment of toxicity and long-term outcomes of pediatric patients diagnosed with metastatic thyroid cancer treated with radioactive iodine, evaluation of the dosimetric impact of online adaptive radiotherapy for the treatment of locally advanced lung cancer with concurrent hypofractionated chemoradiotherapy, workflow considerations for implementing a CBCT-guided adaptive radiotherapy program, and assessment of various genomic and epigenomic features related to metastatic prostate cancer survival. I am also involved in the ongoing ONE-STOP clinical trial testing feasibility of completing consultation and delivery of single fraction, sim-free SBRT for peripheral lung tumors in a single office visit and a multi-institution survey evaluating rural patient bias related to the delivery of radiation therapy on a mobile radiation treatment machine.

David Lakomy, MD – PGY-4

My work has centered on female-focused malignancies, with an emphasis on optimizing resource allocation through patient-centered treatment approaches. This includes implementing single-fraction radiotherapy for patients with early-stage breast cancer, as well as moderately hypofractionated regimens for those with locally advanced cervical cancer.