Research is secondary to my teaching duties, but in the course of teaching with clinicians in the anatomy lab, many projects have been developed by virtue of the shared desire to answer clinical questions. My research encompasses a breadth of topics, all of which fall under the umbrella of translational anatomy. My lab, TAD4, participates primarily in collaborations 1 and 2 below, but also provides analysis and statistical support for the other collaborations. We have received intramural and extramural funding for several of these collaborations. Many of these projects have led to prestigious publications and invitations to present workshops, focus sessions and platform talks. Collaboration 1: Establishing a Histologically Validated Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) Human Brain Atlas • Collaborators: Arthur Toga, Ph.D., Harry V. Vinters, M.D., M. Elena Stark, M.D., Ph.D., Hongwei Dong, M.D., Ph.D., Helen Honarpisheh, Ph.D., Steve Schettler, Ph.D., Nathan Hageman (graduate student), Jake Ortiz (medical student), Ilan Safir (medical student) • Description: This project will construct a control diffusion imaging data atlas validated by underlying histological characterization of fiber directionality. Then, the control atlas will be applied to AD imaging data to localize white matter structure differences and establish a fingerprint for different stages of cognitive decline. Finally, the white matter changes detected in AD brains will be confirmed histologically in the corresponding tissue sections. Throughout the study, we will utilize cadaveric control brains and autopsy AD brain specimens to be able to acquire high-resolution, clinical space MR images and to analyze the corresponding tissue slices. This is an important innovation for determining the ground truth for DTI. Collaboration 2: Establishing an Alzheimer’s disease Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) biomarker for amyloid beta load using a transgenic mouse model • Collaborators: Harry V. Vinters, M.D., Arthur Toga, Ph.D., Hongwei Dong, M.D., Ph.D., Martin Nielsen, M.D., M. Elena Stark, M.D., Ph.D., Steve Schettler, Ph.D., Lori Klaidman, Ph.D., Nathan Hageman (graduate student) • Description: Using 7-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), this project will describe the respective neuroanatomical, and neurochemical changes at several timepoints in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) that overexpresses and deposits human beta amyloid. We will then correlate neuroanatomical and neurochemical profiles with an analysis of the corresponding brain tissue. This analysis will consist of a histological profile of amyloid deposition and measurement of total beta amyloid protein. In this way, we will generate a histopathologically validated method for describing AD-like pathological changes in a living experimental subject, and we will employ this method for measuring the ongoing efficacy of treatments designed to mitigate amyloid deposition. Collaboration 3: Investigation of an alternative surgical procedure to re-establish a patent airway for patients with recurrent laryngeal nerve neuropathy • Collaborators: Abie Mendelsohn, M.D., Gerald S. Berke, M.D., Adam DeConde, M.D., M. Elena Stark, M.D., Ph.D., H. Wayne Lambert, Ph.D. (West Virginia University), James Collins, M.D. • Description: The goal of this project is to characterize the anatomy of the cervical phrenic nerve and gather the requisite preclinical information to allow for informed clinical trials for abductor reinnervation of bilateral vocal fold immobility (BVFI). Collaboration 4: Anatomical assessment of cervical sympathetic chain anatomy for targeted anesthetic blockade • Collaborators: M. Elena Stark, M.D., Ph.D., Siamak Rahman, M.D., Ilan Safir (medical student) • Description: This study will improve upon conventional wisdom of cervical sympathetic chain anatomy so that anesthesiologists can better target ganglia for blockade. Collaboration 5: Anatomical assessment of temporalis muscular and neuro architecture for the improvement of temporalis flap surgery • Collaborators: Anne Agur, Ph.D. (University of Toronto), Jayc C Sedlmayr, Ph.D. (Louisiana State University Health Sciences), David Cantelmi (medical student, University of Queensland), Joel C. Davies (medical student, University of Queensland) • Description: The temporalis muscle anatomy is poorly understood and yet it is used frequently for reconstructive and plastic surgeries. This study will characterize the muscle anatomy and the innervation to help improve surgical procedures. Collaboration 6: Assessment of Gross Anatomy and Radiology pedagogy • Collaborators: Paul F. Wimmers, Ph.D., Tatum Korin, Ph.D., LuAnn Wilkerson, Ph.D., M. Elena Stark, M.D., Ph.D., Theodore Hall, M.D., Michael Zucker, M.D., Shelley Metten, Ph.D., Sebastian Uijtdehaage, Ph.D., Craig V. Byus, Ph.D., Warwick Peacock, M.D., Elmus Beale, Ph.D. (Texas Tech University Health Sciences University), David Morton, Ph.D. (University of Utah School of Medicine), Sherry Downie, Ph.D. (Albert Einstein School of Medicine), Todd Olson, Ph.D. (Albert Einstein School of Medicine) • Description: The value of the Gross Anatomy experience and its pedagogy has been criticized in recent years. However, studies have shown that students value their time studying the anatomical structure of the human body and that those experiences translate to greater confidence with physical exam skills. This study will compare student and faculty perceptions of the value of anatomy pedagogy. Collaboration 7: Anatomical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) characterization of Eagle’s Syndrome • Collaborators: Claudia Kirsch, M.D. (Ohio State University), Daniel Lattin (medical student) • Description: Eagle’s syndrome is a series of symptoms including recurrent throat pain, foreign body sensation, dysphagia, and/or facial pain believed to result from an elongated styloid process, hyoid or calcified stylohyoid ligament impacting nearby soft tissue structures. This project retrospectively reviewed the radiographic findings of patients with Eagle’s syndrome imaged in the neutral and head turned positions, assessing the relationship of the hyoid, an elongated styloid or ossified stylohyoid ligament on adjacent critical soft tissue, such as the carotid arteries. Collaboration 8: Static Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) of the hip joint to simulate kinematic motion • Collaborators: Edward Zaragoza, M.D., Cheryl Hoffmann, M.D., M. Elena Stark, M.D., Ph.D. • Description: The goals of the pilot project were to 1) Assess bony and muscular structure geometry of the hip joint in graded states of flexion, abduction and adduction from CT and MR images of a) both hips of one fresh, normal male cadaver and b) the affected and unaffected sides of one fresh, male cadaver with a history of severe osteoarthritis; 2) Assess bony and muscular structure geometry of the hip joint in graded states of flexion, abduction and adduction from CT and MR images of both hips of a) one normal male subject and b) the affected and unaffected sides of one normal male subject with a history of severe osteoarthritis; 3) Compare the geometry of the hip joint bony and muscular tissue within subjects and between normal and osteoarthritic subjects. Collaboration 9: Characterization of anatomical variations • Collaborators: M. Elena Stark, M.D., Ph.D., Jamie Wikenheiser, Ph.D., Justin Schaeffer, Ph.D., H. Wayne Lambert (West Virginia University), Maria Dell, Ph.D. (Santa Monica College), various UCLA medical students • Description: During routine anatomical dissections, students often find anatomical variations. These ongoing studies provide opportunities for faculty to mentor students in the translation of anatomical discovery and exposition of typically their first scientific publication.