IARS 2026 International Outreach Travel Grant Interview: Ananya Abate Shiferaw, MD, FCA (ECSA)

Task Deconstruction of Spinal Anesthesia to Inform Development of a Self-Training Module and Low-Cost Simulator for Resource-Limited Settings

Abstract Presentation:

Poster Session E on Sunday, May 3, 2026, 10:00 am – 11:00 am, in Square Dorchester + Place du Canada, Convention Level at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, during the 2026 Annual Meeting, Presented by IARS and SOCCA

A passionate medical educator for anesthesia providers in resource-limited settings, Ananya Abate Shiferaw, MD, FCA (ECSA), has dedicated most of his research career so far to developing innovative approaches to teaching anesthesia and supporting the next generation of anesthesia providers. This focus led him to his current area of study, developing an accessible self-training module for spinal anesthesia that combines a structured task-deconstruction approach with a low-cost simulator suitable for resource-limited settings. Dr. Shiferaw’s interest in this topic has evolved toward improving procedural training through affordable simulation and educational innovations that can be implemented in low-resource environments. As the Acting Head of Department and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care at the University of Botswana, in Gaborone, Botswana, he discovered the opportunity to develop innovative teaching methods through a collaborative effort involving colleagues across institutions, including his long-term mentor Dr. Vanessa Moll from the University of Minnesota. His research efforts on “Task Deconstruction of Spinal Anesthesia to Inform Development of a Self-Training Module and Low-Cost Simulator for Resource-Limited Settings” were recently recognized with an IARS 2026 International Outreach Travel Grant. On Sunday, May 3, during Poster Session E at the 2026 Annual Meeting, presented by IARS and SOCCA, Dr. Shiferaw will present his research results and how they may have the potential to improve how spinal anesthesia is taught in many parts of the world where training resources are limited. In the following interview, he shares his research journey, the global implications of this study and how this travel grant will impact the future of this investigation.

1. For this research, you are…

Local Principal Investigator

2. What drew you to this area of research? Has it evolved since your initial research project?

My interest in this research stems from my experience teaching anesthesia in resource-limited settings, where trainees often learn procedural skills such as spinal anesthesia primarily through apprenticeship with limited opportunities for structured practice. The initial idea for this project emerged when an orthopedic surgeon in Nigeria, Dr. Habila Umaru, became interested in developing a simulator after observing anesthesia nurses struggling to perform spinal anesthesia for some of his orthopedic patients. This sparked a collaborative effort involving colleagues across institutions, including my long-term mentor Dr. Vanessa Moll from the University of Minnesota. My interest has since evolved toward improving procedural training through affordable simulation and educational innovations that can be implemented in low-resource environments.

3. What are the goals you most want to accomplish in your work with this research project (or projects)?

The main goal of this project is to develop an accessible self-training module for spinal anesthesia that combines a structured task-deconstruction approach with a low-cost simulator suitable for resource-limited settings. By clearly defining the procedural steps and enabling repeated practice outside the clinical environment, we hope to improve technical competence, confidence, and procedural success among trainees. Ultimately, the goal is to strengthen anesthesia training and contribute to safer patient care, particularly in settings where access to commercial simulation equipment is limited.

4. What is the potential impact of your research on the field of anesthesia and patient care?

This research has the potential to improve how spinal anesthesia is taught in many parts of the world where training resources are limited. By providing a structured method for learning the procedure and an affordable simulator for practice, trainees may be able to develop procedural competence more safely before performing the technique on patients. Improving the quality of training could translate into higher success rates, fewer complications, and better patient outcomes. Additionally, the task-deconstruction approach used in this project could be adapted to other procedures in anesthesia education.

5. How do you feel about receiving the IARS International Outreach Travel Grant?

I feel deeply honored and grateful to receive the International Outreach Travel Grant from the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS). Recognition from a global organization such as IARS is very meaningful, especially for research that focuses on addressing practical challenges in anesthesia training in resource-limited settings. It is encouraging to see increasing global attention to educational innovation and capacity building in anesthesia.

6. How will this grant affect your research and professional trajectory?

This grant provides an important opportunity to share this work at an international forum and engage with a global community of anesthesiologists, educators, and researchers. Presenting this research and receiving feedback from colleagues will help refine the project and guide future work in simulation-based education. It also strengthens my commitment to advancing anesthesia education and developing scalable training solutions that can improve patient safety in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

7. What are the benefits of presenting your research at the IARS Annual Meeting?

Presenting at the IARS Annual Meeting provides a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas with experts and researchers from around the world. It allows us to share perspectives from resource-limited settings while learning from innovations and advances in anesthesia research and education globally. Such interactions can foster collaborations and inspire new approaches to improving training and patient care.

8. Is there anyone else you wish to acknowledge as part of this research team?

I would like to acknowledge my long-time mentor, Dr. Vanessa Moll, Professor of Anesthesiology at the University of Minnesota, who has mentored me for more than a decade and has been a key collaborator in this project. I would also like to recognize Dr. Habila Umaru, an orthopedic surgeon from Nigeria, whose interest in improving spinal anesthesia training for anesthesia nurses initially inspired the idea of developing a simulator. In addition, I would like to acknowledge Dr. Catherine Mohr, President of the Intuitive Foundation, who introduced our team to the use of the SELF Playbook for task deconstruction of clinical procedures and has been an important collaborator in this work.

9. Outside of your research, what might someone be surprised to learn about you?

Outside of research, I am deeply passionate about medical education and mentorship. I enjoy developing innovative approaches to teaching anesthesia and supporting the next generation of anesthesiologists, particularly in resource-limited settings. Building training programs and academic collaborations that strengthen anesthesia capacity across countries is something that I find especially rewarding.