Research in the Division of Colorectal Surgery includes programs in surgical quality and outcomes, clinical treatment, basic science investigations, and more.
Our Researchers
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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
Transplant Surgery Faculty Awarded Position in Prestigious Bioethics Faculty Scholars Program
Division of Transplantation Assistant Professor Carrie Thiessen, MD, PhD is fascinated by the many ethical issues surrounding organ transplantation and has dedicated her research lab to examining these issues within the complex realities of clinical …
Surgical Oncology Faculty Awarded Grant to Pilot a Gastric Cancer Screening Program
Gastric cancer – also known as stomach cancer – is highly treatable when it is identified early in its disease course. But in countries like the U.S. where gastric cancer is relatively rare, screening for …
Wisconsin Surgery Research Roundup: August 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 …
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