The UNMC Department of Anesthesiology has appointed Peter Ricci Pellegrino, MD, PhD, as the inaugural director of the newly established Anesthesiology Clinical and Translational Research Program (ACTRP). The program will expand clinical research efforts, serve as a central hub for trials and bridge discoveries from the laboratory to patient care.
For Dr. Pellegrino, the appointment is both humbling and personal.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give back to the people and programs that trained me, while helping build something new for the department,” he said.
Dr. Pellegrino said that one of ACTRP’s primary goals is to make clinical research more accessible to faculty, trainees and staff.
“Research is never easy, but we want to minimize barriers wherever possible,” he said. “Whether someone’s goal is to become an independent investigator, contribute to multi-center trials, or advance along the promotion and tenure pathway, our job is to give them the support and infrastructure they need to succeed.”
This includes creating standardized operating procedures, templates for case reports and retrospective reviews and expanded support for IRB submissions. The program also will provide mentorship and grant preparation guidance to help faculty and trainees take projects from idea to publication.
The department is already engaged in significant clinical trials. Examples include the intraoperative oxygen study led by Levi Zehr, MD, and Troy Wildes, MD, the MINDDs 2 trial on perioperative delirium with Shaun Thompson, MD, and an investigator-initiated sufentanil study by Jeff Songster, MD.
“These are great examples of the pragmatic, high-impact trials we want to encourage,” Dr. Pellegrino said. “We’re also working to strengthen opportunities for residents, fellows and medical students to get involved early.”
Beyond clinical studies, ACTRP will emphasize translational research, turning promising laboratory findings into human trials. Dr. Pellegrino is collaborating with the department’s vice chair of research, Hanjun Wang, MD, to develop proposals that bridge basic and clinical science.
Collaboration will remain central, both within UNMC and with external partners. The program is building connections to national networks such as MPOG and exploring opportunities for international partnerships.
Dr. Pellegrino encourages faculty or trainees interested in research to reach out.
“Send us an email. We’ll meet with you, discuss your goals and help you chart a path forward.”
Hanjun Wang, MD, vice chair of research, said the department has built a strong infrastructure to support basic science research over the past decade and expects significant growth in clinical and translational research efforts.
“Dr. Pellegrino brings the ideal combination of clinical and bench research expertise, with strengths in both clinical trials and large animal research,” Dr. Wang said. “We are confident that, under his leadership, our clinical and translational research program will grow rapidly and drive transformative advances in patient care and discovery.”