The Harmon Lab is part of the Division of Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery at the University of Minnesota and is directed by Dr. James V. Harmon Jr. We focus on advancing surgical care through outcomes research and surgical education, with an emphasis on adult general surgery, trauma, clinical anatomy, and surgical critical care.
Our research explores how surgical care is delivered and where opportunities exist to improve clinical practice. We use retrospective data to study a range of questions related to patient outcomes, variation in care, and systems-level performance. Projects are often aimed at better understanding decision-making, resource use, and factors that influence surgical quality across different settings.
We also have a strong focus on surgical education and simulation. This includes the development and evaluation of technical training models using synthetic and cadaveric materials. Much of our educational work centers on building operative skills in areas such as emergency surgery and minimally invasive techniques, with attention to how trainees gain competency in complex or infrequently encountered procedures.
We contribute to the growing field of genomics by exploring the role of genetic variation in health and disease. Our work includes analyzing genomic data to understand inherited and somatic mutations, with applications in clinical care, precision medicine, and population health.
In addition, we maintain collaborative partnerships in India and Pakistan to support surgical education in low-resource environments. These efforts include curriculum development, skills-based teaching, and shared academic exchange.
The Harmon Lab provides opportunities for medical students, residents, and faculty to engage in research that is closely connected to clinical care and grounded in practical questions relevant to surgical training, delivery, and outcomes.