2nd International Conference on
Spine Surgery and Spinal Disorders

Dr. Dalby is a dedicated researcher with a long-standing commitment to research development, implementation, and education, particularly in the field of anesthesiology. Her research interests encompass basic pain physiology, postoperative pain and nausea prevention, and obstetrical anesthesia outcome measures. Since joining the University of Pittsburgh, she has played a pivotal role in the research process, from initial advisory stages to executing various research protocols. Dr. Dalby served on the Magee-Womens' Hospital Institutional Review Board from 1992 to 1999, where she reviewed research protocols, and she continues to contribute as a reviewer for the Magee-Womens Hospital Research Institute. Currently, she is involved with the Department of Anesthesiology's Scientific Affairs Committee and the Risk Management Committee, overseeing seed grant proposals, clinical trials, and research fellowship applications.

Dr. Dalby’s research focuses on basic pain physiology, postoperative pain management, and obstetrical anesthesia outcome measures. She has actively participated in all stages of the research process, from advisory roles to executing numerous research protocols.

Dr. Inna Belfer is a human geneticist specializing in the relationship between genotypes and complex phenotypes, including pain, psychiatric disorders, and addictions. Her laboratory research focuses on understanding how acute pain transforms into chronic pain and identifying the genetic factors that influence this process. She conducts new association studies in independent cohorts of neuropathic pain, with recent research emphasizing the impact of genotype on the neurobiology of primary afferent neurons in human dorsal root ganglia. These studies utilize a combination of molecular techniques on post-mortem nerve tissues from regular autopsies and fresh samples from organ donors.

Dr. Inna Belfer researches the relationship between genotypes and complex phenotypes, focusing on pain, psychiatric disorders, and addictions. She is particularly interested in developing large, well-phenotyped chronic pain cohorts for genetic association studies and examining the effects of polymorphisms on primary afferent neurons in human dorsal root ganglia.

Dr. Shan Ping Yu is a Professor of Anesthesiology and the O. Wayne Rollins Chair for Cancer Pain Research at Emory University School of Medicine, also associated with the Department of Hematology and Oncology. He holds an MD and MS from the Capital Institute of Medicine and the Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology in Beijing, China, and earned his PhD from Friendship Hospital in Beijing. Additionally, he completed his internship at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and underwent postdoctoral training at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, enhancing his expertise in pain management and cancer-related research.

His research has been focused on ionic and molecular mechanisms underlying cell death and neurodegeneration related to brain disorders and cancer pain regulation. Specifically, we are interested in apoptotic regulation of potassium channels, NMDA receptor channels and Na+, K+-ATPase in neuronal and cancer cells. In this regard, they have been investigating the roles of channels receptors in cell differentiation, migration, pain sensation, and have integrated their research into stem cell therapy for CNS and PNS injuries.

Dr. Sakai is a key member of the Hepatic Transplant Anesthesia team, where he conducts clinical studies examining the outcomes of liver transplantation and liver resection. In addition to his research efforts, he serves as the Director of the Resident Research Rotation in the Department of Anesthesiology, where he supervises senior residents on their research projects, guiding their academic and professional development in the field.

Cell transplantation, Neuroprotection using stem cells, Liver transplantation anesthesiology, Quality improvement in anesthesiology, Education in anesthesiology (resident research education)

Dr. Rita B. Merman was born in 1962 in a small town in Belarus and grew up in the historical region of Polotsk. She earned her medical degree from Minsk Medical School but, seeking a better life, immigrated to the United States amidst challenging socio-economic conditions. With the support of her husband, a music composer, and her son, she successfully completed all three USMLE steps within a year. Dr. Merman undertook a year of preliminary surgery during her residency, which proved to be both challenging and rewarding. After completing her anesthesiology residency at UAMS, she began her career at UPMC, where she has played a crucial role in establishing the largest regional fellowship program in the U.S., contributing to clinical work, teaching, research, and administrative duties.

Multimodal approach in acute postoperative pain management: - Efficacy and Safety of Pregabalin - Efficacy and Safety of Dexmedetomidine Paravertebral blocks for postop pain management, Anticoagulation and regional anesthesia, Indications for Peripheral nerve blocks in Orthopedics, Urological, Thoracic and General anesthesia, Developing regional anesthesia fellowship and teaching

Dr. Barbara Maher Rogers earned her B.S. from The Ohio State University College of Nursing and her M.D. from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Currently, she serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at OSU, where her research focuses on intra-operative care and the pre-operative evaluation of surgical patients. Through her work, Dr. Rogers aims to enhance patient outcomes and contribute to the field of anesthesiology.

Dr. Barbara Maher Rogers earned her B.S. from The Ohio State University College of Nursing and her M.D. from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Currently, she serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at OSU, where her research focuses on intra-operative care and the pre-operative evaluation of surgical patients. Through her work, Dr. Rogers aims to enhance patient outcomes and contribute to the field of anesthesiology. Intra-operative care and pre-operative evaluation of surgical patients.

Dr. Charles David Boucek, MD, attended the University of Chicago and the University of Pittsburgh, earning his B.S. in 1974 before graduating from Temple University Medical School with an M.D. in 1978. He completed residencies in Internal Medicine at Presbyterian University Hospital and Anesthesiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. A Fellow of the American College of Physicians, Dr. Boucek was the founding medical director of the Center for Pain Evaluation and Treatment at the University of Pittsburgh. Currently, he serves as an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at the University, where he coordinates the Anesthesiology Grand Rounds program and is a member of the Liver Transplantation and Thoracic Anesthesia Teams. His research interests include abdominal transplantation, medical education, simulation training, and medical ethics.

Abdominal transplantation, Medical Education, Simulation training, Medical ethics