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 and Geriatric Medicine Team Up to Enhance Age-Friendly Surgical Care
In older adults having surgery, frailty is one of the strongest predictors for complications, longer hospital stays, high healthcare costs, and mortality. Screening can identify patients who are at risk, but screening alone won’t improve …
Postdoctoral Scientist in Surgery and Precision Medicine Receives Prestigious NIH K99 Career Development Award
Postdoctoral Scientist Haikun Zhang, PhD is determined to improve the accuracy and speed with which we diagnose sepsis in critical care settings. Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that happens when the body has an …
Wisconsin Surgery Research Roundup: July 2026
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 …
- More Research posts