School of Medicine
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Fabiana Aellos
Postdoctoral Scholar, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy background in implantology and periodontology, combined with my microsurgical skills, has allowed me to tackle complex oral surgeries and intricate procedures. These skills have been instrumental in advancing the field and, more importantly, in improving the outcomes and well-being of my patients.
I've always believed in bridging the gap between fundamental research and its practical application in clinical settings. By amalgamating my clinical experiences with laboratory investigations, I've contributed to the development of surgical models that closely mimic human diseases and conditions. This approach enhances our understanding of how tissues respond to surgical interventions, paving the way for more effective treatments.
My research into mucosal integration of percutaneous implants and the role of Wnt signaling in implant osseointegration seeks to optimize the interaction between implants and surrounding tissues. This improved integration not only bolsters the stability of dental implants but also ensures their long-term success, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for our patients. My involvement in regenerative medicine research is driven by a passion for developing innovative strategies for tissue repair and regeneration. This work has the potential to revolutionize how dental professionals address challenges such as bone defects and periodontal tissue loss, leading to better patient outcomes.
One of my greatest joys is nurturing the next generation of dental professionals. Through my dedication to training and mentoring undergraduate and pre-dental students, I aim to equip them with advanced research and clinical skills. Fostering curiosity and empowering young minds to contribute to scientific advancements in dentistry is a responsibility I hold close to my heart.
I'm grateful for the international grants and collaborations that support my work. These resources not only enable my research but also contribute to the broader progress of our research laboratory. Together, we pursue innovative projects that have the potential to impact dental care on a global scale.
Recognizing the importance of effective communication, I've committed myself to enhancing my communication skills and engaging in professional development activities. Effective communication is key to translating research findings into clinical practice, influencing dental policies, and sharing knowledge within our professional community.
As I gaze into the future, I envision a dentistry landscape where my work may lead to more advanced and efficacious dental treatments, refined surgical techniques, and enhanced patient care. In the challenging realm of bone-anchored percutaneous implants, plagued by the persistent issue of implant failure due to infections at the soft tissue-implant interface, I confront this concern head-on. My mission is to meticulously investigate the biological and biophysical intricacies of this interface, with the aim of enhancing its barrier function through innovative strategies.
My journey from the confines of clinical practice to the expansive realms of research has been underpinned by a humble desire—a desire to forge a lasting impact on the field of dentistry, to ignite the flames of curiosity in future generations of dentists, and to contribute to the enhancement of dental care for all. -
Somayeh H. Ahmad, DDS, Dr. Med. Dent.
Instructor, Surgery - Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDentistry
Dental Oncology
Dental Surgery
Special Needs Dentistry -
Shipra Arya
Professor of Surgery (Vascular Surgery)
BioShipra Arya, MD SM FACS is a Professor of Surgery at the Stanford University School of Medicine and section chief of vascular surgery at VA Palo Alto Healthcare System. She has a Master’s degree in epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health with focus on research methodology and cardiovascular epidemiology. She completed her General Surgery Residency at Creighton University Medical Center followed by a Vascular Surgery Fellowship at University of Michigan. She has been funded by American Heart Association (AHA), NIH/NIA GEMSSTAR grant, VA Palo Alto Center for Innovation and Implementation (Ci2i), and is currently funded by VA HSR&D for a multicenter stepped wedge cluster randomized clinical trial called “PAtient-centered mUltidiSciplinary Care for vEterans Undergoing Surgery (PAUSE) trial”. Her current work focuses on streamlining frailty evaluation, as well as implementation of patient and system level interventions to improve surgical quality and to provide high-value and patient centered care.
She has multiple administrative roles in surgical quality improvement as Director of Surgical Quality at VAPAHCS; Center director for Stanford University in the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI); and the Associate Medical Director of the Northern California region for VQI, which is the national registry database and patient safety organization for Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS). Her involvement in SVS VQI also extends to being a member of the steering committee of the Vascular Implant Surveillance and Interventional Outcomes Network (VISION) to improve the quality, safety and effectiveness of vascular care. She also serves as the President of the Surgical Outcomes Club, a national organization of surgical health services researchers, and chairs multiple national committees: VA surgeons committee for the SVS and Diversity and Inclusion Committee for the Association of VA surgeons. -
Dan E. Azagury, MD, FACS
Associate Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
Current Research and Scholarly Interests.
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Hannah Bae
Postdoctoral Scholar, General Surgery
BioHannah Bae is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Surgery at Stanford University. She is an applied microeconomist whose research lies at the intersection of health economics and public finance. Her research interests include understanding how governments allocate scarce health resources as well as the impact of government regulation on family health insurance. She received her PhD in Economics from UC San Diego in 2024.
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Ani Bagdasarian, MSN, MPH, RN, AGACNP-BC
Affiliate, Surgery - Vascular Surgery
BioAni is a nurse practitioner with previous experience in clinical research in cardiovascular disease. Her clinical practice is providing pre and post operative medical care for the admitted vascular surgery patients, and ensuring discharge plans are seamless and comprehensive. She has been a nurse practitioner for the inpatient Vascular Surgery service since 2014 and was promoted to the Lead Advanced Practice Provider in 2020. She oversees all aspects of the Vascular Surgery APP's in Palo Alto, Pleasanton, and Emeryville. She completed her master of science in nursing, and nurse practitioner training at the Yale School of Nursing in New Haven, CT; and remains an active alumni member. She is a board certified Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
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Rachel Baker
Unit/Program Communicator 4, Surgery
BioAs the Director of Communications for Stanford Surgery, Rachel Baker tells the stories of her department's faculty, staff, and trainees.
With the help of an amazing team of content creators, she produces and curates original articles, photos, videos, graphics, and even podcasts.She works personally with each division, center, program, and lab within her purview to define their audience and reach their goals while maintaining a consistent brand voice.
She hosts quarterly professional development workshops open to all AEM web authors--please email her if you'd like to join! She also offers both 1:1 and group education to faculty and residents on a variety of topics including media training, using social media to advantage, and presentation refinement.
Rachel holds a Bachelor's degree in journalism with a focus on photography from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. A transplant from the DC-area, she still misses foliage and argyle but has happily adopted the official NorCal hobbies of visiting wineries, hiking local trails, and eating avocado. -
Jean Jingzhi Bao
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Jean Bao is a board-certified, fellowship-trained Breast Surgical Oncologist. She is a clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Bao’s clinical interests include treatment of men and women who have breast cancer, benign breast disease, genetic mutations, family history of breast cancer, or other breast cancer risk factors. Procedures performed by Dr. Bao include skin- and nipple-sparing mastectomies, partial mastectomies, oncoplastic procedures, benign breast lesion excisions, axillary node dissections, and sentinel lymph node biopsies. Dr. Bao is certified in breast ultrasound and utilizes this technology to visualize and biopsy breast masses.
She completed a breast surgical oncology fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center under the mentorship of one of the world’s foremost experts in the field. Prior to joining Stanford, Dr. Bao practiced at the University of Chicago as an assistant professor of surgery in the Breast Center.
Dr. Bao works closely with medical oncology, radiation oncology, plastic surgery, genetics, and other breast cancer specialists in a multidisciplinary setting to provide high quality, evidence-based, and individualized care. Dr. Bao is a strong advocate for patient education and empowerment and strives to deliver compassionate care to patients and their families.
Her research has focused on the management of breast cancer in older patients, male breast cancer, high-risk breast cancers, and axillary lymph node management after preoperative chemotherapy. She also has strong research interests in intraoperative 3D breast imaging, the benefits and risks of prophylactic mastectomy, fertility issues in young women with breast cancer, and the role of endocrine therapy in breast cancer. She has delivered presentations on a wide range of topics related to breast cancer at national and regional meetings. The results of her research have been published in JAMA, Annals of Surgical Oncology, Breast Journal, Clinical Imaging, and elsewhere.
For her scholarship and research achievements, Dr. Bao has won numerous honors and awards. She earned the Excellence in Teaching Award twice from the University of Chicago Department of Surgery. She was also named a Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium Scholar, where she joined other medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists who lead in the field.
Dr. Bao is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. She is a member of Breast Disease Site Work Group in the Society of Surgical Oncology, and serves as the society’s external liaison to the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria Breast Imaging Panel. She previously held the position of chair of the Cancer Committee at University of Chicago Medicine. -
Tiffany E. Chao, MD, MPH, FACS, FCS (ECSA)
Clinical Associate Professor (Affiliated), Surgery - General Surgery
Staff, Surgery - General SurgeryBioDr. Tiffany E. Chao is a board-certified general surgeon at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC), a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery (Affiliated) in the Stanford Department of Surgery (Division of General Surgery), and an Adjunct Professor in the university's Program in Human Biology. At SCVMC, Dr. Chao is the Site Director for the Stanford medical student surgical clerkship and the Associate Site Director for the Stanford General Surgery Residency Program. Her interests in surgery include minimally invasive foregut, hernia, and colorectal surgery, in addition to acute care & trauma surgery.
At Stanford, she is the Primary Instructor of the undergraduate course HUMBIO 29: Introduction to Global Health and the medical school seminar SURG 236: Seminar in Global Surgery and Anesthesia, both Winter Quarter classes. Her other roles at Stanford include Faculty Fellow with Center for Innovation in Global Health and the Clinical Competency Committee of the General Surgery Residency. Dr. Chao's research interests are in global surgery, including cost-effectiveness analysis, surgical device innovation, and expansion of surgical delivery for low-income populations through surgical workforce and infrastructure development.
Dr. Chao holds dual Bachelor's degrees in Symbolic Systems and Psychology from Stanford University, as well as MD and MPH degrees from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, where she graduated with Alpha Omega Alpha honors. She completed General Surgery residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, the Paul Farmer Global Surgery Research Fellowship at Harvard Medical School's Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, and the CTSA/Lucile Packard Innovation Fellowship at Stanford Biodesign. Through the Biodesign program, she co-founded Zenflow, Inc., a venture-backed medical device company working in minimally-invasive therapy for prostate disease, and is a Founding Partner of 4i Ventures.
In addition to being a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons since 2018, Dr. Chao was also elected to be an Overseas Fellow of The College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) in 2022. She has also been appointed as an Extraordinary Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Global Surgery at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, South Africa and serves on the Editorial Board of the World Journal of Surgery. -
Nicholas Bene, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
BioDr. Nick Bene is a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon who serves as the Director of Gender Affirmation Surgery at Stanford Medicine.
He earned his medical degree from Tufts University and completed his residency in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Lahey Clinic in Boston, MA. Driven by a commitment to gender care, Dr. Bene pursued a dedicated fellowship in Advanced Gender Affirmation Surgery at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR.
Bringing comprehensive surgical expertise in facial, chest, body and genital affirmation procedures, Dr. Bene is dedicated to providing exceptional care for gender diverse people.
He prioritizes a collaborative approach during consultations, working closely with patients to develop personalized surgical plans through informed decision-making and empowerment.
Dr. Bene’s research interests include patient-centered outcomes, innovative surgical techniques, improving access to affirming care and reducing complications in gender affirmation surgery. He is also committed to advancing education within residency and fellowship programs.
A native of Hong Kong, Dr. Bene is fluent in Cantonese. -
Deeksha Suresh Bidare
Affiliate, Department Funds
Resident in Surgery - General SurgeryBioGeneral Surgery PGY-1
Stanford Medicine - Department of Surgery
M.D. | Baylor College of Medicine, 2023
B.S. in Biochemistry and Cell Biology | Rice University, 2019 -
C. Andrew Bonham, MD, FACS
Associate Professor of Surgery (Abdominal Transplantation), Emeritus
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsTolerance induction in liver transplantation.
Hepatocyte transplantation. -
John B. Brunski
Senior Research Engineer, Surgery - Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
BioJohn B. Brunski is currently Senior Research Engineer in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA. From 1977 to December 2009, he was Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. He received his B.S. degree at the University of Pennsylvania, his M.S. degree at Stanford University, and his Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania, all in Metallurgy and Materials Science. Dr. Brunski’s 1977 Ph.D. thesis identified factors responsible for development of fibrous tissue vs. bone at the oral implant interface, and it was the first doctorate degree to be granted for dental implant research at an engineering school in the US.
Dr. Brunski’s research has largely focused on bioengineering aspects of dental and orthopaedic implant design, bone-implant interactions, and the biomechanics of bone healing. Dr. Brunski is one of the Principal Investigators of an ongoing R01 research grant from NIH to Stanford University and the University of Montreal entitled “Mechanobiology at healing bone-implant interfaces.” Dr. Brunski has authored over 30 textbook chapters on oral implants, bone, and related topics, plus 125 papers and extended abstracts. He has also delivered over 160 public presentations on these and related topics at national and international meetings, including many keynote lectures. Over his career, Dr. Brunski has been the Principal Investigator or co-investigator on over 20 research grants.
For more than 10 years Dr. Brunski was a Consultant to the Dental Devices Panel of the FDA. From 2009-2012 he was a member of the Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering (MTE) Study Section of the NIH. Dr. Brunski has also professionally consulted for over 20 legal firms and corporations on topics ranging from patent infringement to product design and product liability. Dr. Brunski serves as Section Editor for Biomechanics and Biomaterials for the International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants. He has also served on the editorial boards of Clinical Oral Implant Research, J Dent Research, J Biomechanics, and other journals, and has served as a reviewer for many other journals including Bone, J Orthopaedic Research, and J Biomechanical Engineering.
Dr. Brunski has received a number of awards for innovation and excellence in teaching and engineering education, including being a member of a 10-person Rensselaer team that won the first Boeing Outstanding Educator Award in 1995. Also, he was part of a Rensselaer faculty team that won the Premier Award for Excellence in Engineering Education Courseware, Dec. 2000, sponsored by NEEDS and John Wiley and Sons, as well as the 2001 American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Curriculum Innovation Award.
For his research, Dr. Brunski received the Isaiah Lew Memorial Research Award from the American Academy of Implant Dentistry Research Foundation in 2001, being only the third engineer to receive this award. In 2006, Dr. Brunski was appointed as the first William R. Laney Visiting Professor at the Division of Prosthodontics at the Mayo Foundation in Rochester, NY, and also received the Jerome M. and Dorothy Schweitzer Research Award from the Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontics, New York City, NY. In 2007 Dr. Brunski was the recipient of the Anders Tjellström Award from the Craniofacial Osseointegration and Maxillofacial Prosthetics Rehabilitation Unit, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. In 2008 he received the Astra Tech Scientific Award for Applied Research in Osseointegration. -
Stephan Busque
Professor of Surgery (Abdominal Transplantation)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy research interest is focused on the improvement of clinical immunosuppression. I am involved in the evaluation of new immunosuppressive drugs, potentially more efficacious or less toxic. My ultimate goal is to achieve tolerance, a state that would obviate the need for any drugs. I am an investigator part of a multidisciplinary tolerance induction project using total lymphoid irradiation and donor hematopoietic stem cells infusion after living donor kidney transplantation.
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Venita Chandra
Clinical Professor, Surgery - Vascular Surgery
Clinical Professor (By courtesy), NeurosurgeryBioDr. Chandra is a board certified vascular surgeon who specializes in cutting edge approaches to aortic aneurysmal disease, peripheral vascular disease and limb salvage.
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Crystal Chang, D.D.S.
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
BioDr. Crystal Chang is a Hospital Dentist and Clinical Assistant Professor in Dental Medicine & Surgery. She focuses on maintaining oral health through the management of infection, trauma and secondary comorbidities to the dentition and its supporting structures. She performs medically necessary dental surgery in the context of cardiac disease, orthopedic surgery, cancer therapy and organ transplants. Dr. Chang is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and provides oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.
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James Chang, MD
Johnson and Johnson Professor of Surgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy role in research is to apply novel advances in tissue engineering and microsurgery to the clinical problems of hand trauma, peripheral nerve injuries, and congenital hand problems. I am interested in developing new tissues and techniques that will allow optimal reconstruction of form and function to those patients requiring reconstructive surgery.
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Stephanie D. Chao, MD FACS FAAP
Associate Professor of Surgery (Pediatric Surgery)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Chao is passionate about disease prevention as she believes it is the ultimate way to impact the health of a population. Surgeons often see the devastating, end-results of the failure of prevention. With this perspective, Dr. Chao believes that it is crucial for surgeons to be active in prevention research. Dr. Chao currently serves as Trauma Medical Director of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and focuses much of her research on injury prevention.
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Peiqi Chen
Social Science Research Professional 1, Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center
BioPeiqi Chen, M.A., B.A., is a Social Science Research Professional at the S-SPIRE Center. She holds a BA from the University of Iowa with a background in Sociology and Psychology. She also gained a certificate in Nonprofit Organization Management & Philanthropy. Currently she is still in her MA program in Social Science at the University of Chicago and writing a thesis about family planning policy evaluation on women’s maternity rights. At S-SPIRE, she assists with clinical researchers on qualitative data gathering and analysis. Before attending Stanford, she completed two internships at nonprofit organizations. She conducted research on social stigma toward COVID19 patient and front-line health workers during the pandemic. Her research interests lie in between sexual health, policy outcomes evaluation, and social welfare improvement for underrepresented population.
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Xingxing Shelley Cheng
Assistant Professor of Medicine (Nephrology) and, by courtesy, of Surgery (Abdominal Transplantation) and of Health Policy
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Xingxing Cheng's expertise is in applying the tools of decision science to clinical practice and policy analysis. Her current research is in the following areas:
1) the costs, effectiveness, and implementation of work-up before kidney transplantation, including pretransplant cardiovascular screening;
2) ethics of and decision-making in in multi-organ transplantation. -
Bill Chiu
Associate Professor of Surgery (Pediatric Surgery)
BioDr. Chiu obtained his B.S. degree in Biological Sciences and graduated with Honors from Stanford University. After graduating, he received his Medical Degree at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, where he remained for his internship and General Surgery residency training. Dr. Chiu completed his Pediatric Surgery training at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He is an Associate Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine where he has an active research program studying innovative approaches to treat patients with neuroblastoma.
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William Choi, D.M.D.
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery - Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
BioClinical focus in Hospital Dentistry serving as needed for hospital inpatients, dental oncology, adults with disability and emergency room patients who need dental consultation or treatment.
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HyeRan Choo
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery - Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
BioDr. HyeRan Choo is a Clinical Associate Professor and Section Chief of Craniofacial Airway Orthodontics in the Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. She also serves as the Director of the Stanford Orthodontic Airway Plate Treatment Program for Pierre Robin Sequence (SOAP for PRS) at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford and is a faculty fellow at the Stanford Mussallem Center for Biodesign.
Dr. Choo earned her dental degrees from Seoul National University (combined Undergraduate and Graduate Dental Surgery program) and The University of Pennsylvania (Dental Medicine program). She completed her Post-graduate Orthodontic Residency and Master of Science degree at The University of Alabama in Birmingham. After a Craniofacial Fellowship at the National Institutes of Health / National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Dr. Choo served as Director of Craniofacial Orthodontics at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia / The University of Pennsylvania.
In 2012, Dr. Choo relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area, where she became a craniofacial orthodontic provider for Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers in Oakland and Santa Clara. She joined the Stanford University faculty in 2016 as a part-time craniofacial orthodontist and clinical instructor and transitioned to a full-time position in 2019 as a craniofacial airway orthodontist and clinical assistant professor.
Her clinical expertise includes surgical and non-surgical craniofacial and airway orthodontic treatments for neonates, infants, and children with craniofacial dysmorphism and/or orofacial dysfunctions. Dr. Choo's treatment philosophy centers on providing minimally invasive yet highly effective treatments, grounded in a deep understanding of craniofacial growth and function. Her SOAP for PRS program is the first in the nation to non-surgically treat neonates with PRS using OAP, which she fabricates based on her innovative method of analyzing maxillomandibular computed tomography. -
Mei-Sze Chua
Sr Res Scientist-Basic Ls, Surgery - General Surgery
Current Role at StanfordI spearhead multiple projects stemming from the lab’s initial genomics study on liver cancer, with the goal of translating gene expression data of liver cancer patients into improved clinical approaches for the diagnosis and therapy of this fatal disease. I have successfully led inter-disciplinary projects, mentored postdoctoral fellows and visiting scientists, and effectively worked with diverse groups of collaborators from academic and industrial settings. I am committed to help eliminate global health care burden associated with hepatitis B and liver cancer.
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Kirk Churukian
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
BioKirk A. Churukian MD, FACS is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Churukian completed training in general surgery, plastic surgery, and hand surgery. He was board certified in general surgery and is currently board certified in plastic surgery.
Dr. Churukian is a member of several local, state, and national professional societies and has practiced in the Los Gatos/San Jose areas for more than 20 years. He tries to bring a friendly, creative, and patient focused approach to his cosmetic and reconstructive surgery practice.
In addition to his private cosmetic practice, Dr. Churukian serves the community as a trauma specialist at San Jose Regional Medical Center. At this level II Trauma Center, he specializes in facial and orbital fracture repair and complex reconstructive surgery of the trunk and extremities. He also maintains an ongoing commitment to enhancing self-image with breast reconstruction for cancer survivors.
Dr. Churukian grew up as a first generation eldest son of Armenian parents in Southern California and attended the University of Southern California, graduating with a degree in Psychobiology. Always interested in athletics, He participated in swimming and water polo throughout high school and played club water polo in college. This interest in aquatics was transferred to his children, all of whom are swimmers, and two of whom are avid water polo players. He currently resides in Menlo Park, California and is currently still married to his first wife ;-). He enjoys supporting Stanford athletics, except when the USC Trojans come to town! -
Robin Cisco, MD
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Robin Cisco is a board certified general surgeon and fellowship-trained endocrine surgeon. She specializes in surgery of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands and has expertise in lymph node dissection for thyroid cancer. Dr Cisco received her medical degree at Duke University before moving to Stanford for general surgery residency. During her residency, she completed a two-year research fellowship in surgical oncology, with a focus on cancer immunology.
After residency, she completed an endocrine surgery fellowship with the internationally recognized UCSF Division of Endocrine Surgery. She is the author of multiple publications related to endocrine surgery and surgical oncology and has an interest in minimally invasive approaches to thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal surgery. She is currently the Physician Leader of Stanford's Endocrine Oncology Cancer Care Program (CCP).
Dr. Cisco focuses on providing outstanding surgical care in an environment that is supportive of her patients and their families. She enjoys patient education and preoperative counseling, and seeks to lessen the anxiety that often comes with a recommendation for surgery. She currently sees patients both in San Jose at Stanford's Cancer Center South Bay and in Palo Alto in the Endocrine Oncology and Surgery clinic. -
Zaria Cosby
Social Science Research Professional 2, Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center
BioZaria Cosby, MPH, is a Social Science Research Professional at the S-SPIRE Center. She completed her Master of Public Health with a concentration in Biostatistics and Epidemiology, as well as her Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, at the University of Southern California. During her time at USC, Zaria worked on multiple projects across a variety of topics, the most recent being her master’s capstone: a mixed-methods study into the lived experiences of women of color with HIV during the Covid pandemic. At S-SPIRE, she supports qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Zaria also holds a Certified Personal Trainer certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. No matter the position or project, Zaria’s overarching goal is to help people become their healthiest selves through research and education.
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Catherine Curtin MD
Professor of Surgery (Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery) and, by courtesy, of Orthopaedic Surgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMaintaining and optimizing upper limb function in people with spinal cord injury and other nerve disorders.
Improving pain and general well being after severe hand injuries.
Improving treatment and recognition of pain. -
Ronald L. Dalman MD
Dr. Walter C. Chidester Professor
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsVascular biology, arterial remodeling, aneurysm development; innovative treatment strategies for AAA, animal models of arterial disease, arterial remodeling and flow changes in spinal cord injury, genetic regulation of arterial aneurysm formation
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Kristen Davis-Lopez
S-SPIRE Project Manager, Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center
BioKristen Davis-Lopez, MPH, PMP is the Research Project Manager at the S-SPIRE Center. She has a background in biology as well as public health. She supports multiple principal investigators with their current funded projects as project manager. She leads the Social Science Research Professionals in the S-SPIRE Center and also assists with the grant submission process within the Department of Surgery acting as a liaison with the Research Management Group.
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Aaron J. Dawes, MD, PhD, FACS, FASCRS
Assistant Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
BioDr. Dawes is a board-certified, fellowship-trained colon and rectal surgeon. He is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Dawes treats a wide variety of conditions involving the colon, rectum, and anus, always leveraging the latest evidence and technologies. He is fully trained in minimally invasive surgical techniques--including laparoscopic, robotic, and trans-anal minimally invasive surgery--and strives to employ them, whenever possible, in an effort to reduce pain and shorten recovery.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Dawes is a health services researcher, receiving his Ph.D. in Health Policy and Management from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. His research focuses on policy development, measurement, and evaluation for patients with colorectal conditions. He is particularly interested in using data to drive policy interventions aimed at reducing disparities in quality, access, and value.
Prior to joining Stanford, Dr. Dawes completed a residency in General Surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles followed by a fellowship in Colon and Rectal Surgery at the University of Minnesota. He has authored articles in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Cancer, Diseases of the Colon and Rectum, Health Services Research, and JAMA Surgery. His work has also been featured in the Los Angeles Times, the Daily Press, and HealthDay News.
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Dr. Dawes received his A.B. in Public and International Affairs from Princeton University and his M.D. from Vanderbilt University. -
Heather Sydney Day
Biostatistician 2, Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center
Current Role at StanfordBiostatistician 1, Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center
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Daniel James Delitto, MD, PhD, FACS
Assistant Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
BioDr. Delitto is a board certified complex general surgical oncologist with a focus on conditions of the liver, pancreas, and stomach. He is an assistant professor in Stanford Medicine’s Department of Surgery.
His education includes a decade of postgraduate training in complex general surgical oncology, as well as a PhD in immunology with an emphasis on cancer biology. He completed a clinical fellowship at Johns Hopkins University and continued his research at the postdoctoral level in the laboratory of Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee. His research focus is on advancing the field of cancer immunology and harnessing his findings to improve immunotherapies.
He was the principal investigator of two studies examining the immune response to pancreatic cancer, including one funded by the National Cancer Institute.
Dr. Delitto has presented the findings of his research at conferences such as the American Association for Cancer Research, Society for the Immunotherapy of Cancer, American Association of Immunologists, American College of Surgeons, Academic Surgical Congress and Pancreas Club. In addition to cancer immunology, he has also presented work focused on cancer cachexia, surgical outcomes, translational experimental models and a variety of other oncologic topics.
He has published original work in Nature Communications, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Cancer Research, Clinical Cancer Research, and other high impact journals. He is also a reviewer for Annals of Surgery, Scientific Reports, Surgery, Tumor Biology, Journal of Surgical Research, PLOS ONE, and the Journal of Translational Medicine.
Dr. Delitto has earned numerous honors related to clinical excellence, teaching and research. He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and a member of the Society of Surgical Oncology, American Association for Cancer Research and American Association of Immunologists. -
Serena DeTata
Temp - Non-Exempt, Surgery - Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Current Role at StanfordHealthcare Sustainability Research Assistant
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Frederick M. Dirbas, MD
Associate Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsCurrently collaborating with Dr's Aaron Newman and Michael Clarke to study cancer stem cells associated with triple negative breast cancer. Advancing studies of FLASH radiotherapy in preclinical models for potential future use in humans. Investigating preclinical use of high dose gaseous nitric oxide in the treatment of solid tumors.
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Monica M. Dua, MD
Clinical Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsTechnical aspects of minimally invasive pancreatic and liver surgery
Minimally invasive strategies for the management of pancreatic necrosis
Management of severe acute pancreatitis – academic vs community treatment
Multidisciplinary treatment of HCC; institutional barriers to appropriate referral/ care
Endocrine/exocrine insufficiency after pancreatectomy; volumetric assessment
Natural history and management of pancreatic cysts -
James Dunn
Professor of Surgery (Pediatric Surgery) and, by courtesy, of Bioengineering
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsIntestinal lengthening for short bowel syndrome
Intestinal stem cell therapy for intestinal failure
Skin derived precursor cell therapy for enteric neuromuscular dysfunction
Intestinal tissue engineering -
Dan Eisenberg, MD, MS
Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMinimally Invasive Surgery
Metabolic-Bariatric Surgery
Obesity in the Veteran population with spinal cord injury -
Yasser El-Sayed, Professor
Charles B. and Ann L. Johnson Professor in the School of Medicine and Professor, by courtesy, of Pediatrics (Neonatology) and of Surgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsHigh Risk Obstetrics: preterm labor, preeclampsia, medical and surgical complications of pregnancy, prenatal diagnosis and therapy
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Carlos O. Esquivel, M.D., Ph.D.,FACS
Arnold and Barbara Silverman Professor in Pediatric Transplantation and Professor of Surgery (Abdominal Transplantation) and of Pediatrics (Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition)
On Partial Leave from 09/01/2024 To 08/31/2025Current Research and Scholarly Interests1) Induction of immunotolerance
2) Rejection of liver and intestinal transplantation.
3) Clinical outcomes of children with unresectable liver tumors. -
Micaela Esquivel, MD
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Esquivel is a board-certified, fellowship-trained bariatric and minimally invasive surgeon. She is a clinical associate professor of surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. Specialties of Dr. Esquivel include foregut surgery and bariatric surgery. She performs robotic surgery as well as therapeutic surgical endoscopy.
She has developed the Bariatric Endoscopy Program of Stanford Health Care. She offers endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty and endoscopic suturing of the gastric pouch and outlet after gastric bypass, and endoscopic sleeve revisions/reductions, for patients experiencing weight regain.
Dr. Esquivel has a great interest in helping everyone access the care they need. She values work that minimizes disparities and promotes health equity. Research interests of Dr. Esquivel range from the global, like minimum rates of surgery to support desirable outcomes, to the more specific, such as weight loss before bariatric surgery. She has studied access to surgical care in California, as well as access to care in Zambia, Guatemala, and other countries.
Dr. Esquivel has made numerous presentations on surgical care access, among other topics, at conferences including the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress, Academic Surgical Congress, and the UK’s Royal Society of Medicine. In addition, she has written more than two dozen articles on topics such as surgical outcomes, weight loss before bariatric surgery, and global access to surgical services. Her work has appeared in JAMA, the World Journal of Surgery, Journal of Surgical Research, Journal of Surgical Education, Lancet, and elsewhere.
Among her many honors, Dr. Esquivel has won the prestigious Samuel L. Kountz Humanitarian Award, awarded to a Stanford resident distinguished by professionalism, compassion, and respect for the dignity of others—attributes shared by the late Dr. Kountz, a trailblazing surgeon and the first African American surgical resident at Stanford. Dr. Esquivel also won the Resident Research Award of the Year in Stanford General Surgery and the Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award from Stanford’s Hispanic Center for Excellence.
Dr. Esquivel also directs the “Service Through Surgery: Surgeons with an Impact” course in the Stanford University School of Medicine and is the co-chair of the Stanford Department of Surgery Diversity Cabinet. -
Mary Estakhri
Clinical Assistant Professor (Affiliated), Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Mary Estakhri practices General and Bariatric Surgery in Pleasanton. She is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Estakhri has also held a number of leadership positions including: Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, past chair of the Department of Surgery, and a past board member at the American Cancer Society of Contra Costa County.
She is a 3rd Degree Black Belt (2nd Dan) for the US International Taekwon-Do Federation. -
Amin Etemad, MBA, SSGB
Quality Programs Manager, Surgery
BioAmin Etemad holds a Bachelor's degree in Management from HEC Montréal and an MBA in Medical Management from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, earned in 2008. He began his career as an Operations Manager at Amazon’s MSP5 fulfillment center in Shakopee, MN, before moving to Allina Health, where he served as a Process Improvement Manager within the supply chain team. Amin later transitioned to a central Quality Improvement role at Allina, where he contributed to Minnesota’s COVID-19 surge planning for the ED and ICU in 2020.
In the fall of 2020, Amin joined Stanford Health as a Quality Improvement Project Manager in Radiology. In 2023, he moved to the School of Medicine, where he now leads the quality improvement team in the Department of Surgery.
Outside of work, Amin is passionate about tennis, soccer, and music—playing both acoustic guitar and a traditional string instrument called the Santoor. He is fluent in five languages, having lived on three continents and in five countries. Raised in a family of over 10 medical professionals, Amin has a deep love for travel, exploring new cultures, and experiencing diverse cuisines. -
Brady Evans, MD, MBA
Clinical Assistant Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery
Clinical Assistant Professor (By courtesy), Surgery - Plastic & Reconstructive SurgeryBioDr. Evans is an orthopaedic surgeon and a clinical assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery specializing in the treatment of hand and upper extremity conditions. He has extensive training in the full range of orthopaedic treatment approaches, from noninvasive strategies to the most advanced surgical procedures, including peripheral nerve and microvascular surgery.
Among the wide spectrum of conditions that Dr. Evans treats are joint, ligament, and tendon injuries; nerve and vessel disorders; all forms of arthritis; fractures; carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome; and, pediatric and congenital disorders of the hands and upper extremities.
Implementing a comprehensive patient treatment plan usually involves multiple specialists. Dr. Evans collaborates with other team members such as spinal care specialists, rheumatologists, plastic surgeons, and physical and occupational therapists. He also closely coordinates treatment and follow-up with the primary care physicians and emergency medicine physicians, as well as other orthopaedic specialists, who refer patients for his specialized care.
For every patient he sees, he develops a personalized plan of care emphasizing the most conservative treatment possible. The goal of each patient’s care plan is to precisely diagnose the condition, relieve symptoms that may include pain and immobility, and restore use of the affected hand or limb as safely and quickly as possible.
The opportunity to treat diverse, complex conditions from start to finish and help patients return to functionality and mobility are among the key reasons Dr. Evans chose to practice orthopaedic surgery. To help advance his specialty through innovative research initiatives, Dr. Evans has investigated applications of frontier technology such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence to enhance patient care and education. His research interests also include the management of distal radius fractures, surgical decision-making, and costs and outcomes of orthopaedic surgical procedures.
As an author, Dr. Evans has published articles in numerous journals including the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Archives of Surgery, Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, and others. Article topics range from clinical issues to the financial aspects of care. He also has contributed textbook chapters as the primary author of “Fractures of the Distal Radius and Ulna” in Rockwood and Green’s Fractures in Adults, 9th edition and as an author of “Carpal Tunnel Syndrome After Fractures and Other Trauma” in the 2017 edition of the guide Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. In addition, he is a reviewer for HAND, the official journal of the American Association for Hand Surgery, and for the Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online.
Dr. Evans makes scientific presentations at major national conferences on a variety of topics: resident education, virtual reality in health care, plus various aspects of clinical care.
He has won honors and recognition for his research and scholarship, including the Richard J. Smith Award from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School for the best clinical/translational paper presentation.
Dr. Evans is board-eligible with the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Society for Surgery of the Hand.
