Abstract

I have been conducting research in health systems, epidemiology, and implementation science at the Hines VA Medical Center, HSR Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare (CINCCH) for 25 years. My primary area of research is focused on prevention and management of infections, particularly those caused by multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs). Antimicrobial resistance is the current unrecognized pandemic and my research and quality improvement efforts have centered on assessing variation in evidence-based practice and implementing strategies to reduce the spread of these infections caused by these highly resistant microorganisms. My research has made significant impacts on the care of Veterans with spinal cord injuries/disorders (SCI/D) who are a population at high risk for infections and the Veteran population at large. This includes educating clinicians about the modifiable risk factors associated with infection and strategies to improve antibiotic prescribing in Veterans with SCI/D and working collaboratively with clinicians and investigators across the country to identify implementation strategies to improve best practices associated with the prevention of antimicrobial resistance across the Veteran population. Overall, this portfolio of research has led to 212 publications (81 first/senior author), numerous invited presentations, and national prestige as a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in 2012, awarded by the United States president and White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the 2022 recipient of the American Paraplegia Society Excellence Award for outstanding scholarship and leadership in spinal cord medicine. My epidemiologic methodological training has allowed me to support the research activities of collaborators across the country. I am also supporting the next generation of clinical scientists and health system researchers through mentoring of undergraduates, graduates, career development awardees, and junior scientists. Finally, I am providing service to VA and national organizations that directly impact policies and care of people with and at risk for infections and antimicrobial resistance. This award will be used to: Aim 1: Lead and collaborate with other scientists to conduct research on the prevention and management of infections and MDROs that improves the health care and outcomes of Veterans. Aim 2: Develop and support the mentoring of students, fellows, and early career investigators in the health systems research pipeline. Aim 3: Support the mission of VA through service and membership on local and national workgroups and committees.

NIH Reporter Project Information: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11240819


PUBLICATIONS:

Journal Articles

1. Danziger GS, French DD, Li Y, Andrews CA, Marwah S, Rivera AS, Zhou X, Chaudhury AS, Mohamedali A, Aneja A, Kanwar K, Shah R, Ahuja A, Evans CT, Kho AN, Bryar PJ, Stein JD, Sight Outcomes Research Collaborative (SOURCE) Consortium. Rates and associated risk factors for cataract surgery complications in academic medical centers. Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. 2026 Mar 1; 52(3):223-230, DOI: 10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000001822.
2. Solanki P, Wirth M, Weaver FM, Suda KJ, Burns SP, Safdar N, Collins E, Evans CT, Fitzpatrick MA. Experiences and Quality of Life Impacts Related to Urinary Tract Infections in Veterans With Neurogenic Bladder: A Mixed Methods Study. Neurourology and Urodynamics. 2026 Mar 1; 45(3):509-515, DOI: 10.1002/nau.70246.