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Urology

Medical College of Wisconsin Urology Research

Research is a core pillar of our department’s academic mission. The work done by our faculty and trainees is supported by a combination of internal funding and extramural sources such as the National Institute of Health, the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute, and industry.

Urology Research Scientists

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Jonathan S. Ellison, MD

Vice Chair of Research; Associate Professor

jellison@mcw.edu

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Aaron Mickle, PhD

Associate Professor

amickle@mcw.edu

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Necole Streeper, MD

Associate Professor

nstreeper@mcw.edu

Urology Research Programs

Our faculty lead a variety of basic science, translational, and clinical outcomes research programs.

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Mickle Laboratory

The Visceral Neurophysiology and Engineering Lab, led by Dr. Aaron Mickle focuses on neuronal control of bladder dysfunction and pain.

Learn more about the Mickle Lab

Adult Urology Research

Our adult research faculty investigate the breadth of urologic disease ranging from cutting edge cancer research, innovative management of benign urologic disease, and high-impact outcomes research in reconstructive urology and infertility.

Clinical Trials / Collaboratives

SipIT
SipIT is an intervention to support patients' fluid intake with semi-automated tracking (via a mobile app, connected water bottle and a smartwatch clock face that detects drinking gestures) and provision of just-in-time text message reminders to drink when they do not meet the hourly fluid intake goal needed to achieve the recommended volume. This trial evaluates the efficacy of sipIT for increasing urine output in patients at risk for recurrence of kidney stones.

Kidney Stone Engagement Core
The Kidney Stone Engagement Core (KSEC) is an engaged group of stakeholders for kidney stone disease, including patients, advocates, and caregivers, who work with researchers to develop patient-centered research aims and protocols for the advancement of knowledge for kidney stone disease management. Support for KSEC has included funding from the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute, the National Institutes of Health, and the Children’s Research Institute.

Other Research Studies

Retrospective research being performed by our faculty includes:

  • Inflatable Penile Prosthesis in patients with HIV or immunodeficiency
  • Outcomes of Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP)
  • Outcomes of Optilume® for urethral structure disease
  • Impact of radiation on outcomes for men undergoing artificial urinary sphincters
  • Uroclinomics: This program supports a regulatory infrastructure and collaboration with the Medical College of Wisconsin clinical data repositories, allowing for deep phenotyping and granular assessment of clinical outcomes for all aspects of urologic disease.

For more information, please contact Heather Engelke at (414) 955-0878.

Pediatric Urology Research

Our pediatric research faculty are involved in a multitude of ongoing studies including several multi-institutional collaboratives supporting care for children with bladder exstrophy, spina bifida, kidney stones, and testicular torsion.

Clinical Trials / Collaboratives

Multi-institutional Consortium for Bladder Exstrophy (MiBEC)
This consortium involves surgeons from Children’s Wisconsin, Boston Children’s Hospital, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The goal is to help improve the bladder health, bladder control, and quality of life for children with bladder exstrophy. Drs. Roth, Groth, and Kryger are currently involved in MiBEC research.

Pediatric KIDney Stone Care Improvement Network (PKIDS)
PKIDS is a collaborative learning health network that works alongside patients and caregivers to enhance knowledge and care for children who suffer with kidney stones. Dr. Ellison is Associate Director of PKIDS, which has been funded by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute and the National Institutes of Health, among other sources.

Urologic Management to Preserve Initial Renal Function Protocol for Young Children with Spina Bifida (UMPIRE)
Dr. Roth is site investigator of the UMPIRE Protocol, funded by the Centers for Disease Control, to improve outcomes of infants and young children with spina bifida through a structured protocol for management and follow-up. Children’s Wisconsin is one of 9 participating centers in this program.

Children’s Urology Group for Advanced Research (CUGAR)
Working with researchers from Washington University in St. Louis, University of Iowa, and University of Michigan, Drs. Storm and Ellison are members of CUGAR. This collaboration has published on referral patterns and care delivery for children with undescended testicles and those undergoing surgery for kidney and ureteral stones.

The Oncofertility Consortium
Urologists at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Wisconsin work alongside Pediatric Hematology / Oncology clinicians to offer testicular tissue cryopreservation with the goal of fertility preservation in young children undergoing chemotherapy for cancer or non-malignant diseases that may require bone marrow transplant.

Testicular Torsion Collaborative
Dr. Ellison leads this collaborative, including more than 20 sites, working through the National Quality Improvement Program Pediatrics to better understand best practices and care patterns for health systems management testicular torsion in children.

Other Research Studies

  • Other retrospective research being performed by our faculty includes:
  • Opioid use following outpatient pediatric urologic surgery
  • Risk-stratification for empiric treatment of urinary tract infection through urinalyses
  • Opportunities to improve fertility preservation in patients with malignant disease
  • Relationships of urinary pseudomonas colonization and tracheostomy
  • Outcomes of children undergoing hypospadias surgery

For more information, please contact Katherine Parker at (414) 337-3441 or Samantha Jacklin at (414) 266-6583.

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