Research in the Division of Colorectal Surgery includes programs in surgical quality and outcomes, clinical treatment, basic science investigations, and more.
Our Researchers
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
Evie Carchman, MD: Identifying new targeted therapies to combat anal cancer
Dr. Carchman studies molecular pathways, including the autophagic pathway, which result in the development of anal dysplasia and progression to anal cancer. Her team has demonstrated that topical therapy that results in autophagic induction decreases both anal cancer and anal dysplasia development in an HPV mouse model of anal cancer, and that this treatment effect correlates with the induction of autophagy. Dr. Carchman is assessing the role of autophagic induction in the prevention of squamous cell carcinoma of the anus.
Elise Lawson, MD, MSHS: Improving quality of care for surgical patients
Dr. Lawson is Executive Director of the Surgical Collaborative of Wisconsin, a state-wide surgeon-led organization that aims to optimize quality, reduce costs, and promote delivery of care that is safe, effective, equitable, and patient-centered. Dr. Lawson’s research investigates variation in the delivery of colorectal cancer care, specifically addressing disparities in access, management, and outcomes.
Latest Research News
Surgery Scientist Receives Funding to Examine Early Immune Response in Type 1 Diabetes Transplant Therapy
Type 1 diabetes affects more than 1.6 million people in the U.S., including a growing number of children and adolescents. The disease develops when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the pancreatic islet cells, …
Wisconsin Surgery Research Roundup: September 2025 and October 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 …
Transplant Surgeon-Scientist Receives New Investigator Award from Wisconsin Partnership Program
Over 12,000 patients in the state of Wisconsin are impacted by kidney failure. Receiving a new kidney from an organ donor can cure kidney failure, but there is nowhere near enough donor kidneys to meet …
- More Research posts