Angela Hill, MD, MPHS, a PGY-3 general surgery resident at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, received the AHPBA 2025 Steve Sotsky Award from the Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA) for her work in cholangiocarcinoma research.
For the second consecutive year, Hill’s research into cholangiocarcinoma has been recognized with this prestigious award. Her study is titled “Using Multiomics to Identify Targetable Mutations in Cholangiocarcinoma.”
In the era of targeted molecular therapies, the high mortality associated with cholangiocarcinoma suggests that novel targeted agents are necessary. This study performed multiomics analysis of a cohort of sixty-four participants to better characterize the tumors’ genetic landscape, mechanisms and possible therapeutic targets.
Cholangiocarcinoma, also known as bile duct cancer, is a rare but aggressive form of cancer that originates in the bile ducts. The prognosis for cholangiocarcinoma is generally poor due to its late presentation and difficulty in achieving complete surgical resection. Hill’s research aims to improve our understanding of this difficult form of cancer, potentially opening up new opportunities for effective treatments.
“This research includes our more recent analysis, which incorporates more samples and new methodologies not discussed in our last iteration,” said Hill. “We have a significantly expanded cohort, using our previously discussed techniques: whole exome sequencing, single cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics.”
Hill noted the importance of mentors in supporting her research. Her mentors include:
- Ryan Fields, MD, former chief of the Section of Surgical Oncology at WashU Medicine, and Li Ding, PhD
- William Chapman, MD, chief of the Section of Transplant Surgery, director of the Division of General Surgery and Eugene M. Bricker Professor of Surgery
- Maria B. Majella Doyle, MD, MBA, the Mid-America Transplant/Department of Surgery Distinguished Endowed Chair in Abdominal Transplantation and director of the liver transplant program at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital
- Adeel Khan, MD, MPH, a professor of surgery, director of robotic transplantation and director of the abdominal transplant HPB fellowship.
“Dr. Hill’s work exemplifies the innovative spirit fostered within our residency program” said Jennifer Yu, MD, MPHS, the general surgery residency program director. “Through her incredible dedication and initiative, she continues to make significant contributions to the field as a budding surgeon-scientist while continuing to adapt and grow throughout the research process. She truly represents the epitome of what our residents are able to achieve within the robust network of mentors and collaborators at WashU.”
For over 30 years, the AHPBA has been dedicated to advancing the field of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases. Their mission encompasses promoting educational and training opportunities through programs, fellowships, and workshops for health care professionals. They support research initiatives to further understanding and treatment of such diseases and encourage collaboration among providers, researchers, and institutions to enhance patient care.
The AHPBA advocates for high-quality standards and best practices in managing HPB conditions, organizing annual meetings and other activities for knowledge dissemination and professional development in the field.
This award is presented annually in recognition of outstanding work in the field of HPB surgical research by a trainee. The purpose of the award is to present trainees with the opportunity to attend the annual conference to present their research and engage in the academic community of researchers in the AHPBA.