Our residents spend one to two years in the laboratory - usually in one of the laboratories within the Department. The purpose of this time is to educate residents in the principles and practices of surgical research and assist them in obtaining high quality fellowships. This year is typically added after the third clinical year. The Department also has surgery residents from other programs that have chosen to come to Jefferson for their research experience. 

Each Spring the research year residents present their work. In 2020, this group of seven general surgery residents produced more than 240 publications, presentations, and abstracts.

The Department hosts a bi-weekly research seminar that is designed to communicate results of ongoing research projects and to provide a core body of research knowledge to students, residents and junior faculty. Topics covered during the year include basic molecular biology techniques, design of clinical studies, animal models, statistical analysis, and grant writing. 

The Department has seen a tremendous increase in the submission of abstracts, manuscripts and grant applications. This increased research activity is further evidence of the commitment of the Department to making the research effort an integral part of the Departmental Mission.