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
Welcome Jessica Schumacher, PhD, to a new faculty role with the Wisconsin Surgical Outcomes Research Program!
The Department of Surgery is pleased to announce that Dr. Jessica Schumacher will now hold the position of Associate Professor (CHS) in WISOR. Dr. Schumacher, who has been with the School of Medicine and Public …
Dr. Sam Poore and team featured on BTN LiveBIG Wisconsin
Wisconsin Doctors Get Poultry Practice for Surgical Success: BTN LiveBIG, recently aired on the Big Ten Network. The feature showcases Samuel Poore, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery, and his research team demonstrating how …
Dr. Ben Zarzaur joins NIH Study Section
Ben Zarzaur, MD, MPH, Chair of the Division of Acute Care and Regional General Surgery, has been accepted as a member of the National Institutes of Health Center for Scientific Review’s Health Services Organization and …
Department Ranks 8th in Country for 2019 NIH Funding
The University of Wisconsin Department of Surgery again ranked in the top 10 of US Surgical Departments in the 2019 Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research Rankings, with funding of $13,133,940. We significantly increased our …
Odorico Lab receives two new grants
The Odorico Lab, led by Jon Odorico, MD, recently received two new grants. The UW Office of Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education is supporting “Probing the human pancreas and islet matrisome for matrixstem …
Department celebrates research accomplishments at annual summit
Last week, we celebrated our Department’s impressive research accomplishments at the Research Summit 2020: Forward Vision. Thank you to everyone who made this event a success, including the Summit committee: Co-Chair Hau Le, MD, Co-Chair Angela …
Winners of the 2020 Department Science Image Contest
Check out the winners and all submissions for our Surgery Science Image Contest, held annually as part of our Research Summit. Winner: “Normothermic Perfusion of a Donor Heart” Kaelin Grant, CCRC, Research Program Manager, with the help …
Dr. Lee Wilke helps lead company revolutionizing tumor marketing
Dr. Lee Wilke is a co-founder of a health technology company that aims to revolutionize how breast tumors are marked for surgical removal. Read about their breakthroughs in the below story, which was originally published …
Weight loss study recruiting participants
Partner2Lose, a weight loss study run by Corrine Voils, PhD, is currently recruiting participants: Do you want to lose weight? Are you ready to try something new? Partner2Lose is a nutrition and weight loss study …
Hawkeyes and Badgers unite to fight pancreatic cancer
Mike Oglesby dances with his daughter Shannon at her wedding. Though it’s rare to find an Iowa Hawkeye who will show love for the Wisconsin Badgers, the “Faj Squad” is ready to give up the …

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.
Histology Core Service
The UW Department of Surgery Histology Core facility, located at H4/337 in the Clinical Science Center, provides Histology services to clinical and basic science researchers associated with the Department of Surgery.
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.