Full research facilities are available, including basic science bench-space for SWL and intracorporeal lithotripsy bioeffects studies, the Duke Lithotripsy Laboratory in the Department of Engineering and two dedicated research lithotripters for animal studies. The Vivarium with full veterinary support is located immediately adjacent to the Medical Center and Department of Engineering.
All basic science research activities of the Fellowship will be performed at the Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center at Duke University Medical Center (DUMC). All animal projects will be performed at the DUMC Vivarium, a certified facility. The DUMC Vivarium veterinarians and technical-support staff will provide technical assistance.
NIH funding is currently in place to cover the costs of performing these studies. Pei Zhong, PhD, will act as the immediate supervisor for performance of the basic physics studies and intracorporeal lithotripsy research. High-speed photographic analysis, acoustic emission equipment and a cavitation detection system will all be available to perform such physics studies.
Health services research activities occur at the Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI). The DCRI houses several large administrative datasets that provide insights into quality of care.