Work in the Donald Shaffner Lab investigates several topics within critical care medicine. Our team conducts research on the mechanisms involved in neurologic injury from global ischemia as a result of cardiac arrest and resuscitation. We also study neurologic outcomes of pediatric patients who experience cardiac arrest.

Research in the Raymond Koehler Lab explores cerebrovascular physiology and cerebral ischemic injury caused by stroke and cardiac arrest, using protein analysis, immunohistochemistry and histology. We also study ischemic preconditioning, neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and the mechanisms of abnormal cerebrovascular reactivity after ischemia. We 're examining ways to improve tissue oxygenation and seek to better understand the mechanisms that connect an increase in cerebral blood flow to neuronal activity.

Researchers in the Elizabeth Hunt Lab study innovative ways to improve the care quality and clinical outcomes of children who suffer cardiopulmonary arrest. Our work includes implementing rapid-response systems, capturing and analyzing cardiac-arrest data, and redesigning medical devices and simulators. We've introduced novel simulation approaches to education, including data-driven debriefing and the Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice approach.