School of Medicine
Showing 281-300 of 460 Results
-
Adel Mutahar
Postdoctoral Scholar, General and Vascular Surgery
BioDr. Adel Z. I. Mutahar is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Surgery at Stanford University, working under the mentorship of Dr. Frederick M. Dirbas. His research focuses on translational breast cancer biology and emerging radiotherapy technologies, with an emphasis on tumor–microenvironment interactions, immuno-oncology, and preclinical therapeutic development. His academic journey spans three countries—beginning in Yemen, advancing through India, and now progressing at Stanford—reflecting his commitment to impactful cancer research and global scientific advancement.
Dr. Mutahar began his career in Yemen, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences before joining Abs Community College as a faculty member. From 2007–2013, he held several academic leadership roles, including Academic Director, Head of Evaluation, and Assistant Dean of Students, where he modernized curriculum, expanded hands-on diagnostic training, and strengthened laboratory education infrastructure in resource-limited settings. His work contributed to building a more skilled medical diagnostics workforce and improving pathways for laboratory science education.
Awarded a prestigious national merit scholarship, Dr. Mutahar continued his graduate and doctoral training in India, completing his M.S. and Ph.D. in Biotechnology with a focus on triple-negative breast cancer. During his doctoral work, he developed 3D tumor spheroid models and combinatorial therapeutic strategies, demonstrating synergy between anti-angiogenic agents and chemotherapy in TNBC. He further advanced this research by creating an orthotopic murine model to investigate metastatic progression and demonstrated that knockdown of the MTA1 gene in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) significantly suppressed TNBC invasion, angiogenesis, and metastatic spread, introducing a promising stromal-targeted therapeutic concept for aggressive breast cancer. This work earned recognition through travel grants, conference presentations, and a Best Poster Award. His scientific adaptability was further demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he uncovered a novel interaction between SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD and VEGF signaling.
At Stanford, his work emphases on FLASH radiotherapy, an ultrahigh-dose-rate modality with the potential to widen the therapeutic window by minimizing normal-tissue toxicity while maintaining tumor control. Working within Dr. Dirbas’s translational breast oncology program, Dr. Mutahar employs patient-derived xenografts, orthotopic murine models, spatial transcriptomics, single-cell RNA sequencing, and immune profiling to dissect the biological mechanisms governing treatment response. His research integrates multi-omics analysis to map early and late radiotherapy injury pathways—including senescence, apoptosis and fibrosis. His goal is to develop mechanism-driven radio-immunotherapy strategies and durable FLASH-RT combination regimens that can be translated into clinical trials for breast cancer, improving therapeutic durability, minimizing toxicity, and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.
Dr. Mutahar’s long-term vision is to establish an independent laboratory at the intersection of radiobiology, immuno-oncology, and translational therapeutics. Guided by Dr. Dirbas’s mentorship and shaped by multidisciplinary experience across three continents, he aims to develop biologically informed treatment strategies that eradicate tumors while preserving normal tissue and immune integrity—ultimately improving quality of life and survival for women with aggressive breast cancers. -
Anjali Nambiar, BS
Social Science Research Professional 1, Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center
BioAnjali Nambiar is a Research Coordinator at the Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education (S-SPIRE) Center. She holds a degree in Biological Sciences and has experience supporting clinical research across various specialties, as well as in implementing new programs at community-based clinics and organizations.
-
Aussama Nassar, MD, MSc,FACS, FRCSC
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Nassar is board-certified in both General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care in the United States and Canada, underscoring his exceptional expertise in these fields. He holds a Master of Science in Health Science Education from McMaster University, Canada, further solidifying his strong academic foundation.
Currently, Dr. Nassar serves as the inaugural Director of the Emergency General Surgery Service and the Director of the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship Program at Stanford University. He is also the founder and director of the Surgery Resident Coaching Program. With over 12 years of clinical and academic experience at premier tertiary care referral centers across North America, Dr. Nassar brings unparalleled knowledge and leadership to his roles.
Dr. Nassar's clinical interests include trauma, acute care surgery, critical care, and a particular focus on abdominal wall reconstruction. As a dedicated clinician-educator, he is a certified simulation educator and serves as a course director for ATLS and ASSET programs. His research is centered on advancing surgical education, with an emphasis on fostering the development of non-technical skills in surgical training.
In addition to his educational initiatives, Dr. Nassar is actively engaged in developing innovative assessment tools for surgical trainees and addressing burnout among physicians and healthcare professionals. With a strong national and international presence, Dr. Nassar continues to shape the future of surgical education and healthcare delivery through his leadership, research, and advocacy. -
Rahim Nazerali, MD, MHS, FACS
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery - Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
BioDr. Nazerali specializes in complex reconstruction, microsurgery, and aesthetic and cosmetic surgery. He excels at breast reconstruction using free autologous tissue and performs advanced techniques such as the minimally invasive superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap, as well as the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap procedure. In addition to autologous reconstruction, Dr. Nazerali utilizes the latest techniques in implant-based breast reconstruction. His techniques and results have made him a leading instructor and lecturer at national and international institutions, societies and conferences.
In addition to breast reconstruction, Dr. Nazerali performs both aesthetic as well as whole body reconstructive procedures. He has a busy aesthetic practice focusing on breast augmentation, face and body rejuvenation as well as body contouring. In his reconstructive practice, he specializes in abdominal wall reconstruction as well as post-trauma tissue transfers. For every patient in his care, his goal is to optimize restoration of both form and function.
To help advance the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Nazerali conducts research into outcomes of breast reconstruction, augmentation, and reduction. Dr. Nazerali has published widely: well over 100 journal articles and conference proceedings. Topics include breast reconstruction after radiation; advances in surgical technique; and, the use of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality systems in plastic surgery practice and education. His work has appeared in Annals of Plastic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Surgery, the European Journal of Plastic Surgery, the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, and elsewhere.
Dr. Nazerali focuses not only on improving his patient’s lives but also our ability to deliver care as an institution. He is on the Medical Executive Council at Stanford Healthcare, serves as a committee member in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as the California Society of Plastic Surgeons. In his spare time, he volunteers his time to provide reconstructive surgical services to adults and children in need worldwide. -
Kevin Nee, MD, PhD
Affiliate, Department Funds
Resident in SurgeryBioDr. Nee is a general surgery resident at Stanford, Department of Surgery. He completed his MD/PhD training at UC Irvine: School of Medicine in the Medical Scientist Training Program. His dissertation research focused on defining pericytes, fibroblasts, and adipocytes in breast cancer using single-cell RNA sequencing.
-
Dung Nguyen
Clinical Professor, Surgery - Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
BioDr. Dung H Nguyen is currently the Director of Breast Reconstruction at the Stanford Women’s Cancer Center, Director of Microsurgery and Microsurgery Fellowship, and the Director of Adult Plastics Clinic at Stanford Healthcare. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and highest academic honor and distinction from U.C. Davis. She earned a Pharm.D degree from U.C.S.F. School of Pharmacy and a MD degree from U.C.S.D. She then did a residency in general surgery and a residency in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Southern California (USC) Medical Center. She further completed a fellowship in microsurgery from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan, one of the largest reconstructive surgery centers in the world. She was recruited to Stanford from Cedar Sinai Medical Center in 2012, and is currently a Clinical Professor in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford University.
Dr. Nguyen specializes in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery, surgical treatment of lymphedema including vascularized lymph node transfer and lymphaticovenous anastomosis, and complex tissue reconstruction utilizing microsurgery and supermicrosurgery. She also has interest in cosmetic surgery, including facial rejuvenation and body contouring procedures.
In addition to her clinical commitment, Dr. Nguyen has basic science and clinical research interests in lymphedema and breast reconstruction. She has published articles in peer review journals, presented at national and international professional meetings and has authored book chapters in various plastic surgery textbooks. She also enjoys volunteering on overseas medical missions and participating in medical charity activities. -
Kenneth Nieser
Instructor (Affiliated), Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center
BioKen Nieser is a health services researcher and investigator in the Center for Innovation to Implementation within the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. Ken’s current research interests are in health disparities, quality measurement, and algorithmic fairness.
-
Jeffrey Norton, MD
Robert L. and Mary Ellenburg Professor of Surgery, Emeritus
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsInterleukin-12 is a Th1 cytokine. It is important in the cell mediated immune response. We are investigating its role as an anti-tumor cytokine to augment the immune response against cancer. We are planning a human trial.
