Q & A with Michael Bouvet, M.D.

Michael Bouvet, M.D., is a surgical oncologist who specializes in endocrine and gastrointestinal cancers. His research interests involve using cancer imaging for more precise surgeries. Bouvet recently received several grants to further his work in cancer detection and treatment.

November 26, 2024 | Interview by Samantha Phan

Where are you originally from?

I am originally from Seattle, Washington. The Pacific Northwest is a beautiful area, with lots of mountains and the ocean nearby. It was a great place to grow up. 

What brought you to UC San Diego Health? What keeps you here?

I matched to the UC San Diego general surgery residency program in 1989. As one of the leading clinical and research centers on the West Coast, it was at the top of my list. I later left to do my fellowship in surgical oncology but my old boss, , wanted me to come back and it wasn’t hard to convince me! I’ve stayed in San Diego my whole career since then, working at UC San Diego and the Veterans Affairs. I don't think there's any other place I'd rather be.

Can you tell me a little bit about your research interests?

When I arrived at UC San Diego, I worked with other researchers to make tumors “light up” on camera using fluorescent proteins. This allowed us to follow the growth of tumors without surgery. We have since used this fluorescent protein method to look at other tumors and tissues, allowing us to be more precise and prepared when surgery begins.

This research is an exciting way we can help patients all around San Diego. We hope it will make surgery safer and lower complication rates, ultimately improving patient survival.

What projects are you working on currently?

We received some grants at the Veterans Affairs and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to use tumor-specific fluorescent probes to help with early detection of colon and pancreatic cancers. Additionally, I am the principal investigator for a clinical trial using a fluorescent protein to identify nerves during thyroid operations, Thyroid nerve injuries can lead to impaired vocal cords, difficulty swallowing and blocked airways.

What is the key to leading a successful lab?

You must have a good team, be a good leader and give everyone a chance to help out with the discoveries. I have been lucky because I’ve had wonderful people in my lab, including a great lab manager. I’ve also had some residents that are funded by the Cancer Therapeutics Training Grant, which allows trainees to gain experience as physician-scientists. These residents get into the lab for a couple of years and, hopefully, get excited about research and go on to do great things. 

Why is research important in the medical field?

While we do a pretty good job at taking care of diseases, there is still a lot of room for improvement. People still die all the time from various types of cancers, heart disease or Alzheimer’s. Research is critical to making progress in these fields, such as developing new drugs, surgical techniques and therapies. It is an exciting time to be in the medical field because the sky is the limit for how much we can help people.