Research Resident Spotlight - September 2024
Korry T. Wirth, MD
PGY2
Tell us a little about your path to Surgery Residency.
My journey to medicine and surgery started when I was five years old and has been a challenging one at that. I faced various difficulties and heartaches along the way, including undergoing surgery myself, the passing of my grandmother who raised me just before my high school graduation, the traumatic loss of my mother before my medical school interviews, and the process of reconciling with my estranged father in the final weeks of his life in the spring of 2018. Taking care of my loved ones in life's final moments and seeing how devoted the medical teams were to treating them solidified my conviction to become a surgeon. I wanted to train in a specialty that would enable me to put people's bodies in a position to heal themselves. I pursued my medical education at the University of Rochester. I was fortunate enough to continue my training at the University of Rochester General Surgery Residency Program, as I would receive top-tier technical training, invaluable mentorship, and support in reaching my highest potential.
What was your motivation to pursue research during your residency?
The future of surgery is incredibly exciting for me. It will involve the integration of artificial intelligence and augmented/virtual reality. A surgeon-engineer has a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between innovation and the clinical space. I am interested in device development and innovation and saw an excellent opportunity to pursue these interests. Furthermore, I am strongly interested in pediatric surgery and want to be part of a group of forward-thinking surgeons who will drive progress in this field.
Who is your research mentor?
Nicole Wilson, PhD, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery,
Division of Pediatric Surgery
Principal Investigator: clipse Lab
What does the role of mentorship in research mean to you?
Mentorship is crucial for success in any situation. Having mentors committed to your growth will help you become the best version of yourself and reach your full potential. They offer moral and financial support and encourage you to acquire the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to succeed in your chosen field. I have mentored high school and undergraduate students on research projects. Additionally, I have taken on a clinical instructor role advising graduate biomedical engineering students in designing a solution to a clinical need they observed during their clinical immersion experience over the summer.
What is your research focus?
Infections occur in the abdomen when a break in the lining of the intestinal tract allows bacteria to escape and grow in the normally sterile abdominal cavity. In children, the most common cause of intra-abdominal infection is perforated appendicitis (or a "burst" appendix). There is not much current research looking into novel treatments for appendicitis. My project focuses on using laser light, specifically photodynamic therapy (PDT), to kill the bacteria responsible for causing infections after appendicitis. Our goal is to decrease infections after surgery and decrease the amount of time someone must stay in the hospital for IV antibiotics after surgery.
What are your recent presentations/awards/manuscripts?
Awards:
I am honored to have been selected for the NIH Loan Repayment Program (LRP), a prestigious award given to select individuals committed to innovative and impactful research. I am also pursuing a master's degree in biomedical engineering through the Center for Medical Technology & Innovation in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, which will provide the knowledge and skills regarding technology development and device design.
What are your future goals?
Over the next two years, we will seek to prove that laser light therapy can kill bacteria in the abdomen with minimal to no unintended effects. Our ultimate goal is to design a clinical trial to bring this technology closer to clinical application.
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