The rationale for this study is to determine if there is a difference in symptoms or complications among patients undergoing uncomplicated ureteroscopy for stone removal with shorter indwelling stent duration. Curently there are only a few small studies exploring the optimal duration of stent placement after stent placement and no multicenter randomized control trials.

A multicenter prospective trial with randomized and observational cohorts assessing patient-reported outcomes and unplanned healthcare utilization following ureteroscopic treatment of renal and ureteral stones, with stent omission versus placement of a ureteral stent.

Belatacept is a drug that helps kidney transplant recipients by preventing the body from rejecting the new organ. We want to compare how well belatacept works compared to the commonly used drug tacrolimus. To do this, we plan to study people who got kidney transplants in the United States from 2011 to 2020. By using two large databases, the United States Renal Data System, and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, we aim to understand how belatacept is used in real life. We are also interested in comparing how effective and safe is belatacept compared with tacrolimus after one year of administration. We will look at outcomes like how long the transplanted kidney will work, how long will the kidney transplant recipients live, how well your kidneys will work, the risk of organ rejection, and certain side effects to happen after transplant like blood cancer.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of streamlining Yttrium-90 radioembolization workflow for patients with small Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) (<5cm) that have no aggressive features on baseline imaging.

This project will focus on identifying and addressing socio-economic barriers to healthcare (e.g., education, transportation/access) for patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Lupus Nephritis (LN). This pilot program aims to expand supportive services and education to mitigate healthcare barriers, by: 1) enhancing access to tangible transportation support systems to improve healthcare access; and 2) utilizing Pharmacist Counseling and Patient Educational Materials to increase awareness and knowledge of the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, medication adherence, and routine screenings (e.g., urine protein creatinine ratio and urinalysis) for improved health outcomes.

To develop an innovative clinical research program that enhances primary care for chronic liver disease and promotes sustainable research in Coastal North Carolina. This involves the completion of three Aims, which include 1) capturing perceptions of research and capacity in patients and providers, 2) identifying and following an observational cohort of those at high risk for or diagnosed with chronic liver disease, and 3) offering modified programs to improve outcomes in those with liver disease.