The Department of Surgery is dedicated to resident research training. All residents are encouraged to pursue two years of dedicated research, usually between the third and fourth clinical years. Research areas include basic science, translational, clinical and health services outcomes, education, and surgical innovation. Residents have received numerous awards and grants, are supported to present their work at local, regional, and national meetings, and have published in high impact journals.

All research residents are eligible for the Physician-Scientist Training Program (PSTP), designed to develop surgical residents into academic clinician-investigators.

Each year, the Department of Surgery showcases outstanding trainee research on Edelstone-Bendix Day. This day features oral and poster presentations of research performed during the academic year.

The Allen B. Kanavel Surgical Scholars Award is bestowed annually to PSTP scholars for exceptional accomplishments in research.