NIH T32 Research Training: Host Response to Trauma

Traumatic injury is the leading cause of death in the United States in individuals under the age of 45 years. More than 150,000 deaths each year in the United States alone are attributed to trauma, with traumatic brain injury being the single largest cause of death from injury in the United States. With the advent of new technologies and strategies to resuscitate, stabilize, and transport trauma patients, individuals are now surviving insults that in years past would have been lethal. This sets the stage for an often prolonged series of complications that may subsequently lead to death for reasons other than the original traumatic injury. A greater understanding of the biological mechanisms of traumatic injury and its complications may lead to the development of new diagnostics, treatment modalities and patient care practices.

Our trauma training program is designed to directly investigate those mechanisms. Our program is unique in that it involves numerous clinicians and scientists from multiple departments that offer a tremendous breadth of expertise and perspective. Trainees devote 2-3 years to conduct research on a topic related to trauma, and critical care of the surgical patient. In addition, didactic training is provided in the responsible conduct of research and research ethics and additional topics as necessary. The training program is entering its 33rd year and to date has trained over 50 individuals, many of which have gone on to successful academic careers.

Program Faculty

Timothy A. Pritts, MD, PhD

Aug 29, 2025, 11:24 AM

Name : Timothy A. Pritts, MD, PhD

Title : Professor, Department of Surgery

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Order position : 04

Our research seeks to advance care for injured and critically ill patients, with a focus on resuscitation strategies and blood product improvement, and care for the wounded warfighter. We study the impact of different resuscitation strategies on the inflammatory, endothelial, and coagulation response to hemorrhagic shock. We have found that the ideal resuscitation fluid is a one to one ratio of packed red blood cells to fresh frozen plasma. Recent efforts have examined the red blood cell storage lesion in packed red blood cells and whole blood. This lesion is a series of biochemical and physical changes in erythrocytes that leads to degradation of the quality of the blood and harm to the recipient. Our goal is to maximize the quality of erythrocytes transfused during resuscitation. Additional work focusses on the special needs of the injured warfighter. Through our partnership with the US military, we have worked together to advance our understanding of how to provide optimal care in austere and challenging environments, especially in the far-forward critical care transport setting.

Current Trainees

Jonathan Beyeler, MD

General Surgery Resident

Goodman Lab – Dr. Beyeler is studying coagulation response to traumatic brain injury. 

Catherine Kapcar, DO

Clinical Fellow, Critical Care Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

Zingarelli Lab – We focus on sepsis-associated myocardial dysfunction (SAMD) - a major contributor to pediatric septic shock morbidity and mortality. My project, titled Mechanisms of Circulating Myocardial Depressants in Human iPSC-Cardiomyocytes, focuses on advancing our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying myocardial depression in septic shock and explores potential therapeutic targets to improve outcomes of patients with SAMD.

Darren Turner, MD

General Surgery Resident

Morales Lab – The subject of Dr. Turner’s research involves large animal studies which look at the systemic effects of cardiac pulmonary bypass.  Moving forward, he is researching the outcomes of using para oriole, pulsatile flow, ventricular system devices versus perioral, continuous flow ventricular system devices as a bridge to heart transplant in pediatric patients.

Gregory Wetmore, MD

General Surgery Resident

Goodman and Pritts Labs – Dr. Wetmore is looking at UCHL1 as a novel marker of hemorrhagic shock.  He is also looking into the direct role of red blood cells in the contribution to clot formation.  

Application Process

Appointments begin on July 1 of each year. Interested applicants should submit a current CV and three letters of recommendation, no later than November 1 of the prior year, and send to the T32 program administrator below.

Julie Phelps, MHA
T32 Program Director
Division of Research, Department of Surgery
University of Cincinnati
231 Albert Sabin Way, ML 0558
Cincinnati, OH 45267-0558
lindneje@ucmail.uc.edu
513-558-0374