Science Prevails: The 13th Annual Department of Surgery Research Symposium
By Samantha Phan
On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the UC San Diego Department of Surgery hosted its 13th Annual Department of Surgery Research Symposium. Faculty, trainees, students and staff in the department and beyond gathered in the Ida and Cecil Green Faculty Club to connect, share and discuss research results along with the future of surgical science.
This year’s keynote speaker was Martha Zeiger, M.D., an internationally recognized endocrine surgeon-scientist and director of the Center for Cancer Research Office of Surgeon-Scientist Career Development at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Zeiger recently led a research team in studying surgeon-scientist professional development in the United States, and she also advises academic surgeons on professional development, academic leadership, and work-life balance.
At the symposium, Zeiger spoke about how to succeed as a surgeon-scientist, highlighting the importance of career planning, networking and finding your personal brand. The following morning, she gave a grand rounds speech about how despite all odds, surgeon-scientists prevail.
The event also featured 60 poster presentations and 18 oral presentations, representing all 12 divisions in the department. Research was presented on education, health services, global surgery, robotic/engineering and basic/translational science.
“The Annual Department of Surgery Research Symposium is a great opportunity to bring the department together and showcase all the exciting work being done to advance our understanding of biology, surgical diseases and trainee education,” says Jason Sicklick, M.D., executive vice chair of research in the Department of Surgery and organizer of the event.
The symposium showcased discoveries in gene expression, limb fractures and cancer treatments related to surgical science. Many of the presentations also highlighted the importance of artificial intelligence and augmented reality in the future of surgery.
“Research paves the way for improving patient care and helps build a stronger foundation for tomorrow’s doctors,” says Cristian Puerta, M.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Patricia Thistlethwaite, M.D., Ph.D. in the Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. Puerta presented his research on using artificial intelligence to improve algorithms that predict pulmonary hypertension.
Another innovative study involved the work of Javier Bravo, M.D., a research fellow mentored by Michael Bouvet, M.D. in the Division of Surgical Oncology. He used a fluorescence antibody to “light up” a protein found on the surface of tumors to better visualize medullary thyroid cancer. Bravo hopes his work will lead to more effective options for diagnosing and treating medullary thyroid cancers in the future.
“The Annual Department of Surgery Research Symposium showcases the collaborative and impactful surgical research happening at UC San Diego,” says Bryan Clary, M.D., M.B.A., professor and chair of the Department of Surgery. “Moreover, the symposium exemplifies how surgical research is vital for both the advancement of science and patient care across the globe.”