We strive to create an inclusive, collaborative and connected culture that fosters cutting-edge basic, translational, education, and health outcomes research. Our research programs investigate the underlying mechanisms of disease, translate discoveries in the laboratory to clinical trials, and offer experimental options with the goal of improving patient care. Our research funding portfolio exceeds $18 million annually with a large percentage from the National Institutes of Health.
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Latest Research News
Surgery and WCER Researchers Team Up to Improve Surgical Informed Consent for Vulnerable Populations
Despite giving their consent to surgery, many patients report feeling like they had no choice about whether to pursue surgery. They also often report feeling blindsided by the treatment and recovery process, and its impact …
Wisconsin Surgery Research Roundup: July 2025
Wisconsin Department of Surgery members engage in remarkable research that yields many impactful publications every month. We’re highlighting several of these publications monthly to showcase the diversity of research in the department; see selections from …
UW Surgery Scientist Awarded Two Grants to Extend Parkinson’s Disease Research
Department of Surgery Senior Scientist Cynthia Kelm-Nelson, PhD was recently awarded two grants that will further her research into Parkinson’s disease, a brain-based disorder that is most commonly associated with movement-related symptoms such as tremors …
The Brown Lab Article Published in Nature Communications
The Brown Lab, led by Matthew E. Brown, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Transplantation, recently published an article describing its new approach to “hypoimmune” gene editing of pluripotent stem cell (PSC) therapies. The …
Dr. Nabeel Zafar Awarded Grant to Develop and Test AI-Assisted Nurse Navigation Program for Pancreatic Cancer
Cancer of the pancreas has one of the lowest survival rates, and delays in care only worsen a patient’s chance of survival. Unfortunately, treatment delays are more likely to affect certain groups of patients, including …
Dr. David Al-Adra Awarded Collaborative Scientist Grant from American Society of Transplant Surgeons
For patients with end-stage organ disease, an organ transplant is often the best treatment. However, transplant patients have to take powerful medications to prevent their immune system from rejecting a donor organ, and these medications …
Dr. Carrie Thiessen Receives ASTS Health Policy Fellowship
Dr. Carrie Thiessen, assistant professor in the Division of Transplantation, was recently named a recipient of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) Health Policy Fellowship. During this fellowship, Dr. Thiessen will develop essential skills, …
DOS Transplantation Faculty, Researcher and Lab Trainees Attend the World Transplant Congress
The 2025 World Transplant Congress (WTC) took place in San Francisco from Aug. 2-6. The theme of this year’s congress was “Discover the Future of Organ Transplantation” with key topics including surgical techniques and donor …
Neuman Awarded UWCCC Pilot Grant to Study Health-related Social Needs of Rural Cancer Patients
Social needs such as transportation difficulties, food insecurity, housing instability, and financial strain contribute to poor health outcomes for patients with cancer. With a new one-year, $25,000 pilot award from the UW Carbone Cancer Center …
UW Surgery and Radiology Faculty Awarded Pilot Grant from UW Carbone Cancer Center
Conversations with patients about cancer surgery need to include a discussion about the short- and long-term risks and benefits of the procedure, yet surgeons often do a poor job of explaining how patients’ lives could …
Doctoral Student in Murtaza Lab Awarded Prestigious NIH Fellowship Award
It’s well known that early detection of cancer leads to better patient outcomes and can improve overall survival, which is why researchers are actively working on developing tests to improve early detection. With funding from …
Wisconsin Surgery Research Roundup: June 2025
Wisconsin Department of Surgery members engage in remarkable research that yields many impactful publications every month. We’re highlighting several of these publications monthly to showcase the diversity of research in the department; see selections from …
Cho Lab Receives D2P SEED Funding to Develop App to Detect Birth Defects of the Skull
It’s not uncommon for infants to have a misshapen head, and often these skull deformities are caused by the baby’s position in the womb or when they pass through the birth canal during delivery. But …
Two Surgical Oncology Faculty Receive UW Research on Women’s Health Scholar Program Awards
The UW Research on Women’s Health Scholar Program (RoWHS) provides interdisciplinary career development opportunities for early-stage faculty who are conducting women’s health and sex differences research, with the goal of helping the faculty transition to …
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Research Leadership
Luke Funk, MD, MPH
Vice Chair of Research
Angela Gibson, MD, PhD
Vice Chair of Research
JoAnne Vaccaro
Director of Research Operations
Clinical Trials Core
Provides coordinator and regulatory support for all types of human subjects research including sponsored clinical trials, survery studies, registries, and chart reviews.
UW Humanized Mouse Core
The Humanized Mouse Core at the University of Wisconsin–Madison provides investigators with a variety of humanized mouse models for their individual research needs.
Statistical Analysis and Research Programming (STARP) Core
Provides faculty, researchers, and residents/fellows/students with comprehensive statistical and research programming support for their research activities including study design, grant application, abstract/manuscript review, statistical analysis, programming and results interpretation.
WiSOR Qualitative Core
The WiSOR Qualitative Core offers faculty and staff consultation, support, and expertise on study design, methodology, data collection and analysis, and interpretation of results. It also offers transcription services.