Dr. Nimer studies various factors affecting child health, particularly in Palestine, where he examines the influences of nutrition, socio-economic status, and food security on the growth of children aged 6 to 17 years. He found that certain nutrients, like minerals, have a profound impact on development. Additionally, he investigates the training of surgical residents, emphasizing gender disparities and the effectiveness of interview processes in selecting candidates for surgery residency programs.
Key findings
In a study on Palestinian children aged 6 to 59 months, researcher found that proper nutrient intake greatly influences growth, with macronutrient intake being the most significant factor.
Among 500 households, mineral intake was shown to positively affect child growth by a factor of 0.812, highlighting the importance of nutrition.
76% of male surgical residents reported having a lot of autonomy during robot surgeries, compared to only 54% of females, indicating gender disparities in training opportunities.
92.6% of applicants found a new two-stage residency interview process fair, which can enhance candidate selection for surgery programs.
96.2% of surgical trainees viewed attending departmental curricula as part of their duty hours, contrasting with only 81.6% of faculty, suggesting a need for clearer definitions.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Nimer study nutrition and child health?
Yes, Dr. Nimer researches the nutritional factors that affect children's growth and development, particularly in Palestinian children.
What are the key concerns in Dr. Nimer's surgical training research?
Dr. Nimer's research highlights gender disparities in hands-on surgical training and the effectiveness of different interview processes for surgical residency candidates.
Is Dr. Nimer's work relevant to families dealing with food insecurity?
Absolutely, his findings on nutrition and socioeconomic factors are crucial for families facing food insecurity, as they directly affect children's health and growth.
How does Dr. Nimer's research impact surgical residency programs?
His work provides insights into training experiences and candidate selection processes, aiming to ensure a fair and effective training environment for all residents.
What implications does Dr. Nimer's research have for public health?
His findings point to the need for better nutrition strategies and improved training practices in healthcare, which can lead to healthier children and more equitable surgical training.
Publications in plain English
Determinants of Child Growth in Palestine (Ages 5-17): A Structural Equation Modeling Approach to Food Insecurity, Nutrition, and Socioeconomic Factors.
2025
Children (Basel, Switzerland)
Thwib S, Qasrawi R, Issa G, Amro M, Abu Ghoush R +10 more
Plain English This study looked at what affects the growth of children aged 5 to 17 in Palestine, focusing on factors like food security, nutrition, and family income. Researchers analyzed data from 500 households and found that mineral intake had the biggest impact on growth, while food availability and socioeconomic status were also important. Specifically, increasing mineral intake positively affects growth by a factor of 0.812, showing how crucial proper nutrition is for children’s development.
Who this helps: This research helps children and adolescents in Palestine by identifying key areas for improving their nutrition and growth.
A structural equation modeling approach to examine determinants of nutritional status in Palestinian children 6-59 months.
2025
PloS one
Issa G, Qasrawi R, Thwib S, Amro M, Abu Ghoush R +10 more
Plain English This study looked at factors affecting the nutritional health of children aged 6 to 59 months in Palestine. Researchers found that the intake of macronutrients, which are essential nutrients like proteins and carbohydrates, had the strongest impact on child growth, followed by socioeconomic conditions and early health. The study emphasizes that improving children's nutrition requires addressing both their diet and the wider social issues that affect food access and health.
Who this helps: This research benefits children and families in Palestine by identifying key areas for improving child nutrition.
Initial Experiences With a 2-Stage Residency Interview Process.
2024
Journal of graduate medical education
Nimer M, Lefevre R, Clark A, Farr D, Bhat S +1 more
Plain English This study looked at a new two-step interview process for a general surgery residency program to help candidates better understand if the program is right for them. Out of 1,175 applications, 190 candidates had virtual interviews, and 82 were invited for a second interview, with 69 choosing to attend in person. The results showed that 92.6% of applicants found the process to be fair, indicating that this method can help improve the selection process for both candidates and programs.
Who this helps: This benefits applicants seeking residency positions and the programs looking to select the best candidates.
Resident Operative Autonomy in Robotic Surgery Training: Unpacking Gender Disparities and Training Trends.
2024
Journal of surgical education
Nimer M, Abreu AA, Tyler LA, AbdelFattah KR, Polanco PM +1 more
Plain English This study looked at how gender affects the amount of hands-on practice surgical residents get during robotic surgeries at a medical center. The researchers found that male residents reported having more hands-on experience and spent more time at the surgery console compared to female residents, with 76% of males saying they had a lot of autonomy versus 54% of females. Additionally, a newer group of residents in 2023 had much better experiences than those from 2021, showing that training methods are improving but still highlight the need for fair opportunities for all residents.
Who this helps: This helps surgical residents, especially female trainees, by highlighting disparities in training experiences.
Plain English This study looked at how surgical trainees and their faculty define "duty hours," which are the hours they are expected to work or be on call. It found that there are significant differences in opinion, with 96.2% of trainees believing that attending departmental curricula counts as duty hours compared to only 81.6% of faculty. This matters because unclear definitions can lead to misreporting of hours and potential penalties from regulatory bodies, ultimately impacting the education and wellbeing of surgical trainees.
Who this helps: This helps surgical trainees and their educators by clarifying what counts as duty hours.
Children Exposed to IPV: Impact of Multiple Father Figures.
2021
Maternal and child health journal
Bullock L, Ghazarian S, Nimer M, Signing L, Herbell K +3 more
Plain English This study looked at how exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) affects the development of infants, especially considering the number of father figures involved, whether they were abusive or not. The researchers found that infants exposed to a single abusive partner had a lower risk of developmental delays, while those with multiple abusive partners were at a higher risk for delays. Specifically, the study showed that the type and number of partners influenced the infants' development, indicating the serious effects of violence in the home on young children's growth.
Who this helps: This information helps parents, social workers, and healthcare providers understand the risks associated with different home environments for infants.
Parent Involvement in Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Programs: an Integrative Review.
2020
Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research
Bower KM, Nimer M, West AL, Gross D
Plain English This study looked at how parents get involved in home visiting programs designed for mothers and young children. It found that while there are many factors affecting parent involvement, the strongest influences were the quality of the relationship with the home visitor and the visitor's attributes. However, high staff turnover made it harder for parents to stay involved, and there is still a need to explore more factors that affect participation.
Who this helps: This helps parents and home visiting programs improve their engagement and support.
New sample treatment for determination of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) in agricultural soils by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.
2007
Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry
Nimer M, Ballesteros O, Navalón A, Crovetto G, Verge C +3 more
Plain English A new method was created to quickly and accurately measure a chemical called linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) in farm soil. The process uses ultrasound to extract the LAS in just 10 minutes, compared to the old method that could take up to 12 hours. This is important because it saves time and uses less harmful solvents, making it easier for scientists to check the safety of agricultural soils.
Who this helps: This helps researchers and farmers ensure soil safety and monitor environmental health.
[Relationship between iodized salt and urinary iodine excretion in school children, Brazil].
2002
Revista de saude publica
Nimer M, Silva ME, de Oliveira JE
Plain English This study looked at the levels of iodine in salt and urine among school children in Brazil to see how they relate. They found that 92.2% of private school children had normal iodine levels in their urine, while only 42.6% of public school children did. Most of the salt used by both groups did not meet the required iodine levels, which was particularly low in public schools, leading to significant iodine deficiency in these children's urine.
Who this helps: This helps school children, especially those in public schools, by highlighting the need for better iodine intake.