Research
The Department of Research is committed to serving humanity and contributing to intellectual progress through insightful research at Touro Nevada.
Resources
About Us
Touro Nevada faculty take a proactive goal in promoting health and wellness in our community. As part of our institutional mission, we strive to use research to advance health and human services. We collaborate with external research institutions and award grants and fellowships to foster faculty and student research on-campus.
Read more about our faculty's research on Touro Scholar.
Vision
Research and scholarly activities will be a defining feature of the academic culture and educational experience at Touro University Nevada.
Mission
We promote scientific inquiry in support of the university’s core values by building research capacity and enabling the production and dissemination of scientific discoveries in healing and education.
Core Values
The TUN Department of Research advances the values of Touro University Nevada by promoting:
- Service-oriented research to improve access to healthcare and educational outcomes for the citizens of Southern Nevada and beyond.
- Groundbreaking research to discover new and innovative treatments and approaches to socially important problems.
- Research that actively involves students to help them become critical evaluators of new research findings who can increase the quality of patient care and educational experiences of the future.
Current Research
Abdukhakimova D., Markhametova Z., Shamkeeva S., Zhulamanova A., Trenozhnikova L., Berezin V., Azizan A. (Basic Sciences Faculty) (2021) Characterization of Extremophilic Actinomycetes Strains as Sources of Antimicrobial Agents. Methods Mol Biol. 2021;2296:59-75. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1358-0_4. PMID: 33977442.
Leggett, L.K. (DO student), Ahmed, K. (DO student), Vanier, C. (Department of Research), A. Sadik (Basic Sciences Faculty) (2021) A Suggested Strategy to Integrate an Elective on Clinical Nutrition with Culinary Medicine. Med. Sci. Educ. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-021-01346-3
Pham M.H., Hassan O. (DO student), Diaz-Aguilar L.D., Lehman R.A. (2021) Complications associated with oblique lumbar interbody fusion at L5-S1: a systematic review of the literature. Neurosurgery Open.2:(3) https://doi.org/10.1093/neuopn/okab018
Phan S. (DO student), Wyant C. (DO student), Huynh C. (DO student), Joaquin C., Hassan O. (DO student) (2021) Efficacy of topical treatments for molluscum contagiosum in randomized-controlled trials: a systematic review. Clinics in Dermatology. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2021.07.002
Diaz-Aguilar, LD, Hassan, O., Pham, MH. (2021) Minimally Invasive Robotic Cervicothoracic Fusion: A Case Report and Review of Literature. AME Case Report 5(24) Doi: 10.21037/acr-20-149
Hoang, V. DO, Anthony, T. BS, Gupta, S. DO, Chang, R. Chan, H. MD, Watson, T. MD (2021) Treatment of Severe Ankle and Hindfoot Deformity: Technique Using Femoral Head Allograft for Tibiotalocalcaneal Fusion Using a Cup-and-Cone Reamer. Science Direct – Arthroscopy Techniques, 10 (5), E1187-E1195, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eats.2021.01.012
Rider, J. V. (2021). Regenerative Rehabilitation and Genomics: Implications for Occupational Therapy. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 9(2), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1785
Potes, M.I., Joaquin, C., Wiecks, N. (DO student), Phan, S. (DO student), Hassan, O. (DO student) (2021) The Utility of Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery for Treating Eating Disorders: A Systematic Review. Surgical Neurology International. 12:169 doi: 10.25259/SNI_730_2020
Wachs, D., Lorah, V. (DO student), Boynton, A. (DO student), Hertzler, A. (DO student), Nichols, B. (DO student), Kraft, J. (DO student), Wang, J. (DO student), Dang, I. (DO student), Kalekas, P., (Department of Primary Care) Vanier, C. (Department of Research) (2021) Online Ratings of Primary Care Physicians: Comparison of Gender, Training, and Specialty. Journal of Patient Experience. 8:(1-8), doi:10.1177/23743735211007700
Armaneous, M. (DO22) (2021). Exuberant Intratracheal Granuloma. Case Reports in Otolaryngology
Chung, C. (Nursing Faculty) 2021. Holistic Nurse Leadership During the COVID-19 Pandemic. American Holistic Nurses Association Beginnings Magazine: 8.
Emahiser, J. (DO student), Nguyen, J. (DO student), Sadik, A. (Basic Sciences Faculty), Vanier, C. (Department of Research) (2021). Study of Live Lecture Attendance, Student Perceptions and Expectations. Medical Science Educator
Rider, J.V. (OT Faculty), Tay, M.C. (OTD Student) (2021). Managing Sleep for Individuals with Dementia: A Guide for Caregivers. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Rider, J.V. (OT Faculty) (2021). Regenerative Rehabilitation and Genomics: Implications for Occupational Therapy. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 9(2), 1-8.
Congratulations to two winning groups from the Southern Nevada American College of Physicians Regional Competition held October 20th. They will be presenting at the state competition in early December. All are 2nd-year DO students.
1. First place: Proma Mazumber and Crystal Yung: Mazumder, P. (DO student), C. Yung (DO student), C. Vanier (Dept. of Research), and J.P. Hardy (Clinical Education Dean). Increased Deaths-at-Home in Nevada during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
2. Second place: Sami Mouaki-Benani and Ansab Sheikh: Mouaki-Benani, S. (DO Student), A. Sheikh (DO Student), and J.P. Hardy (Clinical Education Dean). Prescribing Patterns of XR-Naltrexone for Treating OUD by Nevada Addiction Specialists.
Fagan, S. (DO student), Price, L. R. (DO student), Hardy, J.P. (Clinical Education), Gilliar, W. (COM Dean), Havins, W. (2020) Pharmacists’ delaying or declining controlled substance prescriptions for pain, and the effect on patients and physicians. Best poster/first place in at the American College of Legal Medicine (ACLM) Conference in Scottsdale, AZ.
Chung, C. (Nursing Faculty), Johnson-Glover, T. (Nursing Faculty), 2021. Cross-racial Mentoring for Faculty: Keys to Success, Nursing Diversity 2021, virtual conference, March 15-18, 2021.
Bernardo, S. (DO student), K. Zeng (DO student), and W.E. Havins (Clinical Education Faculty). Proposal for Using Digital Tools in Mitigating a Pandemic: Lessons Learned from COVID-19. Southern Nevada American College of Physicians Regional Competition, Virtual event, October 20, 2020.
Chen, S. (DO student), P. Khoot (DO student), and J.P. Hardy (Clinical Education Dean). Physical Education Mandates and Their Effectiveness in Combating Childhood Obesity. Southern Nevada American College of Physicians Regional Competition, Virtual event, October 20, 2020.
Cornwell-Hinrichs, T. (DO student), C. Wyant (DO student), and C. Vanier (Dept of Research). Investigating the Relationship between Opioid Prescription Frequency and Deaths from Illicit Opioids. Southern Nevada American College of Physicians Regional Competition, Virtual event, October 20, 2020.
Denning, K. (DO student), O. Javaid (DO student), and J.P. Hardy (Clinical Education Dean). The Impact of COVID-19 Isolation on Domestic Violence Calls to Police in Southern Nevada. Southern Nevada American College of Physicians Regional Competition, Virtual event, October 20, 2020.
Hilton, D. (DO student), R. Briggs (DO student), W.E. Havins (Clinical Education Faculty), and J.P. Hardy (Clinical Education Dean). The “Strawman” in the Process of Review and Evaluation of Controlled Substance Complaints. Southern Nevada American College of Physicians Regional Competition, Virtual event, October 20, 2020.
Hwang, S. (DO student), M. Kim (DO student), and J.P. Hardy (Clinical Education Dean). Decreasing Inmate Populations to Mitigate Effects of COVID-19 in Nevada State Prisons. Southern Nevada American College of Physicians Regional Competition, Virtual event, October 20, 2020.
Jalal, Y. (DO student). HIV and a case of Varicella Arachnoiditis. Southern Nevada American College of Physicians Regional Competition, Virtual event, October 20, 2020.
Khurana, N. (DO student), A. Bedi (DO student), and W.E. Havins (Clinical Education Faculty). Mortality of COVID-19 and Seasonal Influenza in Southern Nevada and the United States. Southern Nevada American College of Physicians Regional Competition, Virtual event, October 20, 2020.
Luong, H. (DO student), S. Tun (DO student), and W.E. Havins (Clinical Education Faculty). Encouraging Online Voter Registration of Nevada Physicians – A Challenge in Apathy? Southern Nevada American College of Physicians Regional Competition, Virtual event, October 20, 2020.
Magadi, S. (DO student), V. Alishetti (DO student), and J.P. Hardy (Clinical Education Dean). Enact a Safe Firearm Storage Law to Reduce Suicides and Unintentional Deaths in Nevada. Southern Nevada American College of Physicians Regional Competition, Virtual event, October 20, 2020.
Mahalawat, M. (DO student), N. Mirza (DO student), and C. Vanier (Department of Research). Assessing the Relationship between Infection Citations and COVID-19 Infections in Nursing Homes
- Southern Nevada American College of Physicians Regional Competition, Virtual event, October 20, 2020.
- Accepted by 2020 AMA Research Symposium poster gallery. Dec. 3-6.
Mazumder, P. (DO student), C. Yung (DO student), C. Vanier (Dept. of Research), and J.P. Hardy (Clinical Education Dean). Increased Deaths-at-Home in Nevada during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
- Southern Nevada American College of Physicians Regional Competition, Virtual event, October 20, 2020.
- Accepted by American College of Legal Medicine’s 61st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, Feb. 25-28.
- Accepted by 2020 AMA Research Symposium poster gallery, Virtual event, Dec. 3-6.
Mostafa, S. (DO student), A. Renukunta (DO student), and W.E. Havins (Clinical Education Faculty). Banning Condoms as Evidence against Sex Workers in Illegal Prostitution. Southern Nevada American College of Physicians Regional Competition, Virtual event, October 20, 2020.
Mouaki-Benani, S. (DO Student), A. Sheikh (DO Student), and J.P. Hardy (Clinical Education Dean). Prescribing Patterns of XR-Naltrexone for Treating OUD by Nevada Addiction Specialists.
- Southern Nevada American College of Physicians Regional Competition, Virtual event, October 20, 2020.
- Accepted by American College of Legal Medicine’s 61st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, Feb. 25-28.
Nguyen, K. (DO student), N. Nguyen (DO student), and W.E. Havins (Clinical Education Faculty). Screen for Lysosomal Storage Diseases, Save More Nevada Babies. Southern Nevada American College of Physicians Regional Competition, Virtual event, October 20, 2020.
Ok, E. (DO student), K. Rosas (DO student), and W.E. Havins (Clinical Education Faculty). Euthanasia Should Be Legalized in Nevada
- Southern Nevada American College of Physicians Regional Competition, Virtual event, October 20, 2020.
- Accepted by 2020 AMA Research Symposium poster gallery, Virtual event, Dec. 3-6.
Otty, R. (Occupational Therapy Faculty). Participatory action research: Informing course redesign and influence on student outcomes. American Occupational Therapy Association Education Summit. Virtual conference, October 2020.
Parra, J. (DO student), H. Malekghassemi (DO student), and J.P. Hardy (Clinical Education Dean). Should Healthcare Workers Treat COVID-19 Patients Despite Inadequate Personal Protective Equipment?
- Southern Nevada American College of Physicians Regional Competition, Virtual event, October 20, 2020.
- Accepted by 2020 AMA Research Symposium poster gallery, virtual event, Dec. 3-6.
Said, A. (DO student), L. Sanchez (DO student), and M. Olek (Specialty Medicine Faculty). Emerging Neuralink brain machine interface: an oversight proposal to address the ethical, legal, and social implications.
- Southern Nevada American College of Physicians Regional Competition, Virtual event, October 20, 2020.
- Accepted by International Neuroethics Society Annual Meeting, Virtual event, Oct. 22-23.
Research Interests
Research by faculty and students is encouraged in all the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the College of Health and Human Services programs.
Basic Sciences
The Department of Basic Sciences encourages faculty research, providing each faculty member with dedicated time and space for research, as well as funding for supplies, technical assistance, and encouragement for both intramural and extramural collaboration.
Physician Assistant Studies
Students and faculty in the PA program have multiple research investigations currently underway including patient-provider communication among different cultures, impact of wilderness experience on health indicators, intention to provide healthcare to the homeless and its determinants, and public perception of physician assistants as healthcare providers.
Occupational Therapy
Through research, faculty members expand their knowledge related to occupational performance across the lifespan while addressing our curricular themes of occupation-based, evidence-based, social justice, and leadership.
Physical Therapy
Faculty and students in the School of Physical Therapy conduct studies that improve our knowledge and understanding of human movement and control, physical function, and disability across the lifespan. They perform research at a variety of locations and routinely present their findings at peer-reviewed state, national, and international conferences.
Students and Faculty Showcase Long List of Research Topics During Touro University Nevada’s 17th Annual Research Day“This is the culmination of a year, or even years of hard work for all of our students, faculty, and staff."
Dr. Cheryl Vanier Chief Research Officer, Touro University Nevada
Our Partners
Our partners in research include any local or out-of-state institutions that are involved in scientific, clinical, or community-based research. Here are some of the partners that are collaborating for a better tomorrow.
US Partners
