This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony for UNMC’s 2015 Scientist Laureate, Research Leadership, Distinguished Scientist and New Investigator Award recipients.
The New Investigator Award
New Investigator Awards go to outstanding UNMC scientists who in the past two years have secured their first funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense or other national sources.
New Investigators also had to demonstrate scholarly activity such as publishing their research and/or presenting their findings at national conventions.
- Name: Sasha Shillcutt, M.D.
- Title: Associate professor, director of clinical and translation research, director of perioperative echocardiography, UNMC Department of Anesthesiology
- Joined UNMC: 2007
- Hometown: Blair, Neb.
Research focus:
Perioperative echocardiography
Describe your research briefly in layman’s terms.
I study the use of cardiac ultrasound to help surgical patients who have cardiovascular disease.
How does your research contribute to science and/or health care?
My research studies a novel way to provide anesthesia to surgical patients who have cardiac disease. Surgery places stress on the body and some patients who may not know they have heart disease can develop complications after surgery. My research uses cardiac ultrasound to guide anesthesia during surgery and to prevent heart failure or heart attack in at-risk patients. I hope my research provides insight on the best way to deliver anesthesia to surgical patients and improves outcomes.
What is the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you, professional or personal?
Never apologize for your story. It is your own. Once you embrace your story, it is quite empowering,
List three things few people know about you.
- I once was a U.S. Senate intern for Sen. Christopher Bond from Missouri for a semester in college when I contemplated a career in politics.
- I was homeschooled during elementary school, and my grandfather was my science teacher. We had a lot of crazy and funny experiments go awry! He taught me to question everything.
- I enjoy fitness and do Crossfit each morning before coming to work. It helps set my energy for the day.
Congratulations, Dr. Shillcutt! What an honor and you certainly deserve it!
Congratulations! Your research could changes lives!
Congratulations Sasha!
Thanks for the powerful example you are setting for young women in Nebraska and congratulations on your achievement !
you are an inspiration, Sasha!
Congrats, Dr SF Shillcutt!!