Dr. Reese uses tools from epidemiology, ethics and health services research to advance the care of organ transplant recipients and patients waiting for transplant. This work is commonly motivated by normative ethical problems, such as: How should a precious resource such as donated organs be shared to maximize benefits and respect equity?
In practice, the STEEP lab employs a wide variety of data and advanced analytical methods to generate fresh data that address these pressing problems. Most of our best-known science involves trying to solve problems in the ‘last mile’ that must be crossed to improve the care of patients. For example, we generated a range of empirical evidence that many patients are willing to accept organs from donors with risk factors for HIV infection or from donors with active hepatitis C infection. Furthermore, recipients of these organs usually enjoy good transplant outcomes.
As another example, Dr. Reese worked closely with colleagues with the Paris Transplant Group to demonstrate that deceased donor kidneys that are commonly discarded in the US – such as from donors in the 70s or older donors with hypertension and stroke history -- are commonly transplanted in France with acceptable outcomes. Further, the common US practice of taking biopsies from most donated kidneys and discarding them based on the histological results does not improve our ability to determine the quality of those kidneys. Our research methods span advanced statistical approaches such as high-dimensional matching, joint modeling and geospatial analyses. Dr. Reese and his colleagues also have deep and diverse experience with the conduct of clinical trials in transplantation.
Our research methods span advanced statistical approaches such as high-dimensional matching, joint modeling and geospatial analyses. Dr. Reese and his colleagues also have deep and diverse experience with the conduct of clinical trials in transplantation.