Research Collaborative

Improving surgical outcomes through collaborative enquiry

The Dalhousie General Surgery Research Collaborative (GSRC) is comprised of four surgeon-scientists within the Division of General Surgery who share a common interest in improving surgical care delivery through collaborative, outcomes-based research. The Collaborative brings together a shared research support infrastructure.

Mission Statement

To build a collaborative research environment within the Division of General Surgery that delivers impactful research to our patients and educational opportunities for our trainees and learners.

Current Projects Highlights

• Transanal Endoscopic Surgery: a Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Fleet Enema vs Oral Mechanical Bowel Prep (TESEO Trial) 
• Leveraging emerging digital health technology to implement the International Consortium for Health Outcome Measurement (ICHOM) standard set of value-based patient-centered outcomes for colorectal cancer: the CRC care pathway
• Application of the Palliative and Therapeutic Harmonization (PATH) program for shared-decision making for severely frail or cognitively impaired patients scheduled for curative cancer surgery: a randomized control trial (PATH Trial)
• HepaRAS Trial: Changes in hepatectomy risk assessment when incorporating Mebrofenin HIDA for functional evaluation of the liver remnant.
• Barriers to the adoption of neoadjuvant systemic therapy for early-stage breast cancer in Nova Scotia
• Nova Scotia-Based Total Neoadjuvant Treatment (TNT) for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: Assessing Success of Implementation and Outcomes Associated with a Provincially Standardized Algorithm (TNT Study)
• Breast Cancer Database – Nova Scotia

Meet our Researchers

Dr. Katerina Neumann
Chair General Surgery Research Collaborative
Director of Research Division of General Surgery
Assistant Professor and Colorectal Surgeon
Office: (902) 473-3937
Email: katerina.neumann@nshealth.ca

Dr. Richard Spence
Assistant Professor and MIS/surgical Oncologist
Office: (902) 473-3727
Email: richard.spence@dal.ca

Dr. Gregory Knapp
Director of Global Surgery Office
Assistant Professor and Surgical Oncologist
Office: (902) 473-7411
Email: Gregory.knapp@nshealth.ca

Dr. Boris Gala-Lopez
Director, AHPBA Advanced Hepatobiliary Surgery Fellowship Program
Assistant Professor and Hepatobiliary & Transplant Surgeon
Office: 902-473-7411
Email: b.gala-lopez@dal.ca