34KT – Cosmetically Appealing Hair Removal Strategies During Transcranial Neurosurgical Procedures

Status: Filled – Intern: Dario Marotta
Intern: Dario Marotta
Faculty Name: kristen-triebel-2
UAB Department: Neurology
UAB School: School of Medicine
Campus Address: 650 Sparks Center
Telephone Number: (205) 996-9366
Email: meredithgammon@uabmc.edu or Click to Send E-Mail
For how many summers have you served as a preceptor: 1
CCC Research Area: Other/Unsure/None of the Above
Number of hours per week that the preceptor will personally supervise or work with the intern: 20
Other faculty, staff, or graduate students who may help to supervise the intern:
1. Meredith Gammon
2. Adam Gerstenecker
Title of Project: 34KT – Cosmetically Appealing Hair Removal Strategies During Transcranial Neurosurgical Procedures
Project Description:

Many cancer patients undergo craniotomy each year with varying cosmetic outcomes. Cosmetic outcomes, particularly the removal or disturbance of hair, have significant effects on self-esteem and mood which negatively impact a patient’s overall quality of life. Despite several studies showing that completely preserving hair is not significantly associated with postoperative infection or adverse outcomes, some surgeons and patients remain hesitant and elect to shave incision sites. To our knowledge, a comprehensive guide for concealing scalp incisions with cosmetically appealing hair removal strategies during transcranial neurosurgical procedures has yet to be developed. This project aims to develop such a guide to be used in future studies with an overarching goal of reducing impacts of cosmetic disturbances following neurosurgical procedures while improving self-esteem and overall quality of life.

Project Status: Will begin on or before the CaRES student’s start date
Location of Project: Huntsville, AL (HudsonAlpha)
Proposed Start Date: May 5, 2020
Proposed End Date: August 28, 2020
Expected work schedule for intern: Flexible, intern can largely set his or her own schedule (as for students who are instructed how to proceed and are permitted to work independently with weekly guidance) and should contribute full-time effort.
Category of Project: Clinical (Patient Care) Research
Cancer topic: Brain, Survivorship, Treatment
Does this project involve human subjects: Yes
Does this project involve animal subjects: No
Duty:
1.

Develop a manual for this surgical procedure.

2.

Develop a study protocol

3.

Initiate the project and collect data.

Preceptor will provide intern with access to the following:
Office or desk space, Computer and printer, Laboratory work bench space, Supplies needed to complete project, Equipment needed to complete project
Likelihood that intern will be included as an author on one or more publications
related to this summer research project:
Very likely
Areas in which the ideal candidates will have experience:
Literature Review Skills, Manuscript Preparation for Submission to a Journal, Willingness to learn