Permian Basin Office of Research

SOM students holding research equipment in the air looking at it.

Comprehensive Support at Every Project Phase

The School of Medicine Office of Research at the Permian Basin oversees creation and maintenance of resources to support investigators at all phases of their projects, from initial design through assuring regulatory compliance, support with data gathering, statistical analyses, guidance with project write-up, and dissemination of findings.

Resources

TTUHSC Faculty Areas of Expertise

SOM Permian Basin Faculty Research Interests

Robert Bennett, MD
Department of Pediatrics
High frequency ventilation

Adrian Billings, MD
Department of Family and Community Medicine
Health care workforce development in medically underserved areas of the United States and globally with a special interest in rural and international border areas

Katie Corkill, MD
Department of Family and Community Medicine
Teaching techniques to promote Master Adaptive Learning; Community Based Participatory Research Awareness; Multi-faceted Intern Training for Workflow Improvement

Tara Deaver, DPM
Department of Family and Community Medicine
Toenail Onychomycosis; Wound care

Christopher Enakpene, MSC, MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Prevention of preterm labor and preterm births; Diabetes in pregnancy; Chromosomal and genetic disorders; Multiple pregnancies and higher-order pregnancies; Fetal growth disorders; Placental accreta syndrome and preservative surgery for large uterine leiomyoma

Lisa Moore, MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Diabetes in pregnancy

Sai Siva Mungara, MD
Department of Internal Medicine
Quality Initiatives and Patient Safety Projects

Martin Ortega, MD
Department of Family and Community Medicine
Chronic Conditions; practice Management

Lavi Oud, MD
Department of Internal Medicine
Health services research; sepsis; determinants of utilization of critical care resources; interplay of patient- community-, health system-, and policy-related factors in outcome disparities in critical illness

Craig Spellman, DO
Department of Internal Medicine
Prevalence of syndromic and non-syndromic obesity genes in Hispanic/Latino population

Finding suitable collaborators for scholarly initiatives is often challenging. Barriers for meeting potential collaborators can be more substantial when explored across departments, schools and campuses. The Department of Research at TTUHSC-Permian Basin has launched a Collaborator Portal to help link investigators with suitable collaborators for projects spanning from research studies to projects of non-discovery scholarship.

This web-based Portal allows TTUHSC faculty, residents, and students (and investigators outside the TTUHSC system) to post data about projects for which they seek collaborators, while those interested in contributing to planned projects can browse the posted data and contact the investigators.

In order for collaborative efforts to proceed as intended, following several basic principles can substantially increase the probability of a project's successful completion. One such commentary to guide one's approach to collaborative scholarship is available at this link.

For Investigators
To post information about your project for potential collaborators, you have to complete a Project Data Form. For questions or more information, please contact Asley Sanchez, BS.

For Potential Collaborators
The latest postings on the Collaborator Portal can be accessed here. Once found groups that agree/look for collaborators, add to the relevant project, using the existing format. Projects should be removed once filled/no longer applicable/completed

Welcome to the Permian Basin Research Lab! We are a dedicated group who aims to advance knowledge and innovation within our Permian Basin Campus. Our team conducts a diverse range of research projects aimed at supporting the professional growth of medical students, residents, and faculty, helping to advance their careers and contributions to the field.

Through collaboration, experimentation, and scholarly inquiry, we strive to contribute to the research community and make meaningful strides towards advancing our institutional goals. By fostering innovation and academic excellence, we aim to address critical challenges, enhance education, and drive impactful discoveries that shape the future of healthcare and research.

Group members

Asley Sanchez, B.S.
asley.sanchez@ttuhsc.edu

Publications

Okwuwa, Ikemefuna, Nimat Alam, Rachel Wai, Miriam Shayeb, Asley Sanchez, Kushal Gandhi, John Garza, and Gary Ventolini. "Pubic Candida Folliculitis: A Case Report in a Patient With Recurrent Vaginal Candidiasis." Journal of Family and Reproductive Health (2023): 62-64.
Coppedge, Nicole, John Garza, Kushal Gandhi, Asley Sanchez, Josh Galloway, and Gary Ventolini. "Lactobacillus microbiota of the female genital tract in vaginal lactobacillosis." (2023): 1-4.
Enakpene, Christopher A., Maria E. Canci, and Gary Ventolini. "Obstetric vascular Doppler velocimetry: clinical applications and overuses." Minerva Obstetrics and Gynecology (2023).

Kushal Gandhi, Ph.D., Asley Sanchez, B.S., Nathan Joshua Manales, B.S., John Garza, Ph.D., Samuel David, Ph.D., Gary Ventolini, M.D. Lactobacilli and cytokine modifications in menopause and their relation to vulvar and vulvovaginal disorders. Journal of Menopausal Medicine, accepted on August, 2022.
Kushal Gandhi, Ph.D. Nathan Joshua Manales, B.S., Asley Sanchez, B.S., Srikanth Mukkera, M.D., Anusha Ammu, M.D., Janine Klar, MS-3, Alex Gibson, M.S., Evangelina Santiago, Ailena Mulkey, Jammie Holland, Maneesh Mannem, M.D., Lakshmi P. Alahari, M.D., and John Garza, Ph.D. Serologic Response of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-based vaccines in patients with autoimmune diseases. Journal of Immunological Sciences, accepted on August, 2022.
Vanessa Ku, MS-3, Srikanth Mukkera, M.D., Nathan Joshua Manales, B.S., Asley Sanchez, B.S., and Kushal Gandhi, Ph.D. Repeated cholestyramine washouts in a pregnant patient on leflunomide: A case report. J Case Rep Images Obstet Gynecol 2022;8(1):10-13.
Gandhi K, Manales N, Garza J, Sanchez A, Martinez B, Ventolini G. Challenging vaginal discharge, lactobacillosis and cytolytic vaginitis. J Family Reprod Health. 2022;16(2):102-105.
Asley Sanchez, Kushal Gandhi, John Garza, Alex Gibson, Nathan Joshua Manales, and Gary Ventolini (2021). Variations in cytokine profile between parous and nulliparous adult women. GREM Gynecological and Reproductive Endocrinology & Metabolism (2022); 01/2022:39-44 doi: 10.53260/grem.223016
Sanchez A, Gandhi K, Lee B, Garcia JG, Ventolini G. Vulvar Neurodermatitis in a Postmenopausal African-American Patient: A Case Report. J Menopausal Med. 2022;28(1):42-45. doi:10.6118/jmm.21032
Manales NJ, Chavez M, Shayeb M, Ventolini G (2022). Chronic Psoriasis with Vulvar Presentation: A Case Report. J Dermatol Res Ther 8:113. Doi.org/10.23937/2469-5750/15101131.
Rao S, Bartkus T, Gandhi K, Gibson A, Ventolini G (2022). A post-operative reaction to betadine in a postpartum woman: A rare case report. Case Reports in Women’s Health 34 (2022) e00394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crwh.2022.e00394

Sanchez, A., Lee, B., Gandhi, K., Garza, J. and Ventolini, G., 2021. A rare case report: Cutaneous Candida tropicalis infection disguised as a sacral decubitus rash in an immunocompetent individual. Journal of infection and public health, 14(8), pp.1018-1020.
Gandhi K, Garza J, Gutierrez P, Arispe R, Gomez Garcia J, Ventolini G. Vaginal Lactobacillus species and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. GREM Short Review.2021.
Garza, J., Gandhi, K., Choi, S., Sanchez, A., & Ventolini, G. (2021). Cytokine profiles and Lactobacillus species presence in pre-menopausal subjects with genital Mycoplasma genitalium or Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization. Women's Health, 17, 17455065211009181.
Garza, J., Gandhi, K., Gutierrez, P., Okoye, O., Sanchez, A., & Ventolini, G. (2021). Provoked Vulvodynia: Type of Lactobacilli Retrieved. JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE, 66(5-6), 118-122.

On-Campus Resources

Contact Lavi Oud for discussion of initial/developed project ideas/concepts, potential methodological approaches (i.e., experimental/study design, statistical methods), feasibility considerations, proposal development
Contact John Garza for discussion of initial/developed project ideas/concepts, potential methodological approaches (study design, statistical methods), data source acquisition, feasibility considerations, proposal development
Contact Asley Sanchez for data source acquisition, methodological approach, feasibility considerations, proposal development

Clinical Research Institute (CRI)

Details of the spectrum of CRI support services and the procedures associated with the use of these services are outlined under Frequently asked Questions.

Procedure:

1. Submit a CRI work order.

2. After contact is made with the CRI, submit a draft of your proposal/protocol.

- - When creating a draft, follow the CRI-designed protocol format.
  - CRI staff can also provide help with experimental design, statistical methods, and power analysis.

On-Campus Resources

Contact John Garza for assistance in preparation of IRB application (methodology, data collection forms)
Contact Asley Sanchez for assistance in preparation of IRB application (methodology, data collection forms, submission process to IRB via CRI)
Clinical Research Institute (CRI) Clinic Building, Room 1202
- Veronica Janosick, RN
  Clinical Research Coordinator
  432.703.5060
- Jammie Holland, LVN, CCRC
  Clinical Research Coordinator
  432.703.5275

We provide accurate, reliable, and comprehensive analysis of biosamples. We work mainly with blood serum samples and analyze them using ELISA to quantify the concentration of serum biomarkers. For questions or more information, please contact Asley Sanchez, BS.

*Note: It is highly recommended that you contact a statistician (or other faculty that will perform statistical analyses) at the start of your project's conception/design to discuss your overall approach and specific study objectives and planned outcomes. See also relevant commentary at this link.

On-Campus Resources

For questions or more information, please contact John Garza.

On-Campus Resources

Scope of Support: abstracts, posters, full manuscripts (case reports, research, reviews, letters); assistance with journal selection.

Procedure:

1. Submit an Editing Services Request Form.

2. Provide, as applicable, instructions for authors of the relevant conference or journal.

Contact John Garza for assistance in data visualization and editing of abstracts, posters, manuscripts and in submission process, and response to reviewers
Contact Asley Sanchez for assistance in assistance in writing, editing and formatting of abstracts, posters, manuscripts and in submission process and response to reviewers

Regional Resources

Clinical Research Institute
Scope of Support: abstracts, posters, full manuscripts (case reports, research)

Procedure:

1. Submit a CRI work order.

2. After contact is made with the CRI, submit a draft of your write-up.

The TTUHSC Writing Center
Scope of Support: research papers, grants, abstracts, posters (note also that the Writing Center can provide feedback for other documents including, among others, CVs, cover letters, and personal statements).

*Note that the Writing Center focuses on higher order concerns in writing, such as central argument, logic, organization, etc. The Center's staff do not provide editing or proofreading (that is, there is no checking or correction of grammatical errors nor checking of the citations or their formatting).

Procedure:

1. Contact the TTUHSC Writing Center.

- - - - You will need to upload a draft of your write-up and provide, as applicable, specific instructions/description of your project for the Center and any concerns you have about your writing. The uploaded documents should be either Word or PDF formats.
      - You may submit 2 drafts each week.
      - If you encounter difficulties submitting your documents, you can email the TTUHSC Writing Center.

2. Feedback

- - - - Your draft will be emailed back to you with feedback within 48-72 hours (except weekends/holidays)

Research Day

Research Day is an annual event that celebrates the achievements of our learners and faculty. It honors their dedication to advancing healthcare through scholarly contributions and underscores our commitment to excellence in both education and research.

SOM student presenting poster