General surgery resident’s research was recognized for second consecutive year.
Hill receives 2025 AHPBA Steve Sotsky Award
Category: Research
Stories featuring basic science, translational and clinical research from throughout the Department of Surgery.
Study finds success in novel aortic valve reconstruction procedure
Scientists use right atrial appendage to revolutionize aortic valve reconstruction in children.
Two surgeons named 2025 Dean’s Scholars
Brandt and Panni named Dean’s Scholars, joining a growing community of dedicated researchers.
New risk prediction model shows promise for early breast cancer detection
A new study validates an innovative method of analyzing mammograms to predict risk of developing breast cancer over five years.
Wells Resident Research Day 2025
Tohmasi, Colchado and Braasch named winners at 24th Samuel A. Wells, Jr. Research Day.
Study identifies factors necessary for lung transplant tolerance
A new study led by thoracic immunobiology investigators establishes regulatory Foxp3+ T cells as critical for lung transplant tolerance.
Robotic Research Grant awarded for trainee research
Beneville and Awad receive $50,000 in SAGES funding for ongoing robotic research.
Panni awarded grant from Society of Surgical Oncology
SSO Research and Education Fund awards Roheena Panni, MD, MPHS, $25,000 Young Investigator Award.
Inspiring People: Danielle Shulte (Links to an external site)
As a grant specialist II, Danielle navigates the complex, ever-changing landscape of research funding.
Kreisel Named Vice Chair for Research
Expert in transplant immunology to lead research program in Department of Surgery.
Uncovering Differences in Isthmic and Lobar Thyroid Nodules and Thyroid Cancer
A recent study examines the molecular differences between thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer based on their location within the thyroid gland.
Nupam Mahajan Named Urology Surgery Research Professor
Leading prostate cancer researcher recognized at installation ceremony.
Wells Resident Research Day 2024
Rossetti, Shepherd and Roberts named winners at 23rd Samuel A. Wells, Jr. Research Day.
B Cells Responsible for Lung Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Recipient-derived B cells responsible for the lung ischemia-reperfusion injury, study finds.
Hill Receives AHPBA Steve Sotsky Award
General surgery resident recognized for outstanding work in cancer research, invited to AHPBA 2024 Annual Meeting
David DeNardo, PhD Explores How the Tumor Microenvironment Affects Immune Responses to Cancer (Links to an external site)
David DeNardo, PhD, alongside his research team in the Tumor Immunology Program at Washington University School of Medicine, is working to understand why responses to cancer immunotherapy vary among patients.
Department of Surgery Ranks 2nd Nationally in NIH Research Funding
Blue Ridge rankings place Washington University among the nation’s highest surgery departments for research funding.
Lai Named American Urological Association Research Chair
Urologist-scientist Henry Lai, MD, will lead national efforts to advance research in urologic diseases as chair of the AUA Office of Research.
Tackling Lung Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: Resolvin D1 Proves Potential
A recent study led by investigators at Washington University and Harvard University details new findings regarding the role of lipid mediators following lung transplantation.
Bai Receives 2023 AATS Lillehei Award
General surgery resident recognized by American Association for Thoracic Surgery lung transplant research.
Colchado Awarded Plastic Surgery Foundation Research Fellowship
Washington University general surgery resident Daniel Colchado, MD, selected to conduct funded research in Plastic Surgery Research Laboratory.
Study reveals how treatment-resistant prostate cancer provides its own hormonal fuel (Links to an external site)
Findings, in mice, suggest potential treatment strategy
Cos and Bai Named Winners of 22nd Annual Samuel A. Wells, Jr., Resident Research Day
Resident finalists present groundbreaking research and faculty vote to select winners at 2023 Wells Research Day Competition.
Change in breast density over time linked to cancer risk (Links to an external site)
Repeated mammograms contain data on changes in breast density over time that could help identify women at high risk of breast cancer and even reveal which breast is likely to be affected, according to a study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Red flags indicate risk for early-onset colorectal cancer (Links to an external site)
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified four important signs and symptoms that signal an elevated risk of early-onset colorectal cancer. The incidence of colorectal cancer is rising in people under 50, making it important to recognize such signs.
Residents Receive International Research Fellowships
Two general surgery residents recently received international research fellowships. These highly competitive fellowships will support the residents during their lab time.
Matthew Gerdisch Arrhythmia Fellow Joins Cardiac Surgery Section
Taras Lysyy, MD, MCh, is the recipient of the inaugural Matthew Gerdisch Arrhythmia Fellowship. Lysyy will be studying heart arrythmia and cardiac disease at Washington University.
Research on Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Reveals Durable Treatment Options
Researchers with the Center for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome conducted a retrospective study to compare clinical outcomes between treatment options.
Nicholas T. Kouchoukos Research Day 2022
Cardiothoracic trainees present research and visiting professor delivers lecture at annual Kouchoukos Research Day.
Brown Receives Paul LoGerfo Research Award
AAES Foundation award recognizes Brown’s investigations in new therapies for aggressive thyroid cancer.
Breast Reconstruction in Virtual Reality: Innovations in Plastic Surgery
Surgeons use virtual reality headsets for intraoperative planning of DIEP flap breast reconstruction.
Diagnosing Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome – How Reliable Are Current Testing Methods?
Two new studies tackle questions regarding the reliability of the standardized elevated arm stress test in the diagnosis of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.
James Barrett Brown Visiting Professor and Research Day 2022
Visiting professor and research presentations honor legacy of plastic surgery chair.
Olumba and Newcomer Named Winners of the 21st Annual Samuel A. Wells, Jr., Resident Research Day Competition
Four finalists presented research at 2022 Samuel A. Wells, Jr., Research Day Competition and two winners were selected by faculty vote
Research Supports Short Course Radiation as a New Standard of Care for Rectal Cancer
Research conducted by investigators at Washington University School of Medicine has demonstrated the improvement of rectal cancer treatment through short course radiation therapy. This regimen may represent a new standard for treatment in eliminating localized rectal cancer.
Cardiothoracic Faculty and Trainees Attend American Association for Thoracic Surgery’s 102nd Annual Meeting
Several Washington University cardiothoracic surgery faculty members and trainees trekked to Boston to attend the American Association for Thoracic Surgery’s 102nd Annual Meeting.
Urology Faculty, Trainees Present Research at the 2022 American Urological Association Annual Meeting
Washington University urologic surgery faculty members and trainees travelled to New Orleans, LA, to attend the 2022 American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting.
Research to Improve Breast Cancer Screening Indicates High Interest from Patients
Breast cancer screening is necessary to detect this condition early enough to have an effective treatment program. Research by investigators at Washington University indicate that patients who hear conflicting information about screening are still interested in attending screening.
Vicky Peck, RN, and Erica Traxel, MD, Receive Barnes-Jewish Hospital Team Award for Quality Improvement
Vicky Peck, RN, Patient Safety and Quality Coordinator, and Erica Traxel, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery, helped create a culture of safety in the Division of Urologic Surgery by developing a program to track ureteral stents.
Four-Year Grant Awarded to Acute and Critical Care Research Project
Dr. Isaiah Turnbull, a researcher and surgeon at Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, has received a four-year $1.5 million grant for his research on immunosuppression induced by burn injuries. This work is in partnership with the Military Burn Research Program.
A Durable Treatment for Recurrent Hernias
Research by Washington University hernia surgeons finds a durable solution for treating complex recurrent ventral hernias. The findings are published in the journal Surgery.
Surgeons Study Outcomes of Cardiac Surgery Technique Developed at Washington University
Washington University School of Medicine cardiac surgeons review the long-term outcomes and durability of the Cox-Maze IV procedure to treat atrial fibrillation. This research demonstrates the effectiveness of this procedure in patients with life-threatening heart arrhythmia.
Kristin Geile, RN, MSN, CCRC, Named Finalist for St. Louis Magazine’s Excellence in Nursing Awards
The Department of Surgery’s Kristin Geile, RN, MSN, CCRC, was recently named a finalist for St. Louis Magazine’s 2022 Excellence in Nursing Awards.
Identifying Causes of Vascular Damage in Lung Transplantation
Investigators from the Thoracic Immunology Laboratory have identified pathways leading to ischemia-reperfusion injury after lung transplantation. Their findings are published in the journal PNAS.
Understanding Innate Immunity in Lung Transplantation
Washington University General Surgery residents and leaders of the Thoracic Immunobiology Laboratory collaborated to discuss the body’s innate immune responses that could lead to lung injury and allograft failure.
The Impact of Persistent Smoking on Outcomes After Lung Cancer Surgery
Researchers from Washington University and Siteman Cancer Center conduct research on patient health outcomes after surgery for stage I non-small cell lung cancer to understand if persistent smoking after surgery is associated with worse survival. They conclude that persistent smoking after surgery decreases the survival rates of patients.
Ask the Research Director: Research During Residency with Ryan C. Fields, MD
Residency applicants need to know the fit of a program’s research education to their interests and needs. Ryan C. Fields, MD, the Director of Resident Research for the General Surgery Residency Program at Washington University, explains why WashU is an ideal location for research in surgery.
Disparities After Surgery: Readmission from Complications More Common for People of Color
Physicians at Washington University School of Medicine conducted a research study on the disparities of post-surgery complications and readmission, visualizing differences of readmission between white and non-white patients. Patients of color are more likely to require readmission after surgery, which may be related to other lived disparities, such as barriers to accessing equal healthcare to their white counterparts.
$2 Million Grant to Develop Sequestered Vascular Surgery Technology
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Caeli Vascular, Inc., are developing the first sequestered therapy device for removal of deep vein thrombosis.
Following His Heart: Connor Callahan, MD, MSc, Completes Coveted Congenital Heart Surgeons’ Society Fellowship
WashU General Surgery resident Connor Callahan, MD, MSc, trained as the Congenital Heart Surgeons’ Society John W. Kirklin-David Ashburn Fellow in Toronto.