During their years at the UNC School of Medicine, medical students have many opportunities to be involved in innovative research spanning every specialty and discipline of care. These experiences build students’ academic understanding and clinical insight, and for some, they ignite a lifelong passion for discovery and patient-centered innovation.
For Avani Desai, a fourth-year student, that transformation began under the mentorship of Dr. Angela Smith, Professor of Urology and a member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Working with Dr. Smith throughout all four years, Desai helped to pilot a study that could fundamentally change the way patients experience a key aspect of bladder cancer care.
The study focused on improving patient comfort during office cystoscopy, a procedure performed on millions each year and often associated with pain and anxiety. This initial feasibility study will lay the groundwork for a larger, multi-institutional trial on interventions to reduce patient stress and discomfort during office cystoscopy.
“This seemed like an amazing opportunity to participate in research that directly translated to a better understanding of patient care. Also, I was really excited to work with Dr. Smith and learn from someone who is an international expert in bladder cancer and outcomes research.”
Avani Desai
4th Year UNC Medical Student
Desai said that along with being a distinguished researcher and physician, Smith is an incredibly present and supportive mentor, not only guiding her research projects, but challenging her to grow and take on new initiatives.
Desai’s role in the feasibility study helped her build skills in quality improvement, research design and implementation, and patient engagement. And it solidified her interest in urology and academic medicine, especially in research that improves how care is delivered, and how patients experience that care.
Smith described how the prevalence of faculty-led research at UNC SOM creates a true learning health system culture, “where students move from a focus on ‘What is the right answer?‘ to ‘How do we prove it, implement it, and measure it for our patients?‘”
Being immersed in research helps students develop leadership skills and creates a deeper understanding of how to improve patient care. “By designing protocols, engaging with data and teammates, and listening to patients, students learn a disciplined way of improving care with a leadership mindset,” Smith said.
Desai described a research project on resident education that she was able to lead, with Dr. Smith’s support. Desai was ultimately able to present her findings at national conferences and produce a manuscript for future publication.
“Dr. Smith has truly been such an incredible mentor, not only guiding my research projects, but encouraging me to push myself,” she said.
Desai’s journey reflects the kind of experience that UNC strives to foster through faculty-led research and mentorship.
“The best part about working with medical student researchers is witnessing that full arc from curiosity to design to execution and knowing that the confidence and leadership skills they gain will stay with them long after the project ends.”
Angela B. Smith, MD, MS, FACS
Vice Chair of Academic Affairs
Professor of Urology
