Research Resident Spotlight - October 2024

Matt Byrne, MD

PGY4

Tell us a little about your path to Surgery Residency.

I entered medical school with plans to be a pediatrician. The transition occurred in my rotations, where I recognized that the surgery residents were the most well-rounded training physicians in the hospital. Surgery residency requires development of medical knowledge, technical competence, leadership, and team-building. I was drawn to the University of Rochester for our distinct sense of development of the humanity of surgery - expecting excellence as a professional in a dynamic health landscape. I feel gratitude for the mentorship, opportunity, and community that is built into the foundation of this program.

What was your motivation to pursue research during your residency?

Surgical research provides the opportunity for the personal and professional development required to be leaders in medicine. This includes building skills in the critical appraisal of available data, generation of new questions, and coordination with multi-disciplinary teams to solve complex problems. Sustained improvements in healthcare require physicians as leaders, especially as economic and political factors distract from optimizing care for the patient.

Who is your research mentor?

Hernandez-Alejandro, MD
Chief of the Division of Transplantation
​Principal Investigator, Liver Transplant (LT) for Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastasis (CRLM)
American Registry for Transplant Oncology (ARTx-Onc)

Nicole Wilson, PhD, MD

Assistant Professor of Surgery,
Division of Pediatric Surgery
Principal Investigator: Eclipse Lab

Marjorie J Arca, MD

Joseph M. Lobozzo II Professor of Pediatric Surgery and Chief,
Division of Pediatric Surgery;
Surgeon-in-Chief, Golisano Children’s Hospital
 

What does the role of mentorship in research mean to you?

Academic, personal and professional development. This dynamic relationship requires extensive effort from both the mentee and mentor. I have been fortunate to have direct feedback, provision of resources, and networking opportunities that have enhanced my research and development.

What is your research focus? 

My research focus is two-fold: 1) The selection criteria and outcomes of liver transplantation for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. URMC is a leader in this space and our experience will have influence on the careful growth of transplant oncology in the United States and worldwide. 2) Understanding the underlying mechanisms and prevention of abdominal adhesions after surgery. We utilize a mouse model to test novel therapeutics in the prevention of this highly morbid condition.

What are your recent presentations/awards/manuscripts?

Publications:

Byrne M, Chávez-Villa M, Ruffolo LI, Wanis KN, Belt B, Tomiyama K, Hernandez-Alejandro R. "Progression- Free Survival for Liver Transplant vs Alternative Therapy in Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastasis". JAMA Surgery. July 24, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2024.2057

Byrne MM, Chávez-Villa M, Ruffolo LI, Loria A, Endo Y, Niewiemski A, Jimenez-Soto C, Melaragno JI, Gopal R, Farooq PD, Dunne RF, Pineda-Solis K, Nair A, Orloff M, Tomiyama K, Hernandez-Alejandro R, "The Rochester Protocol for Living Donor Liver Transplantation of Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastasis: A 5-Year Report on Selection, Approval, and Outcomes", American Journal of Transplantation, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajt.2024.09.027.

Presentations:

Byrne M, Chavez-Villa M, Ruffolo L, Loria A, Pineda-Solis K, Nair A, Arab JP, Gopal R, Dunne R, Hezel A, Orloff M, Carpizo D, Linehan D, Tomiyama K, Hernandez-Alejandro R. "Liver Transplantation Offers Progression Free Survival Benefit in Real World Evaluation of Patients Referred for Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastasis." Plenary presentation. American Transplant Congress 2024. Philadelphia, PA. June 1-5, 2024.

Byrne M, Chacon M, Wayson S, Wirth K, Lawrence A, Darcy D, Wakeman D, Pegoli W, Kottmann RM, Loiselle A, Wilson N. "Gpr68 Activation Reduces Post-Operative Abdominal Adhesions in a Murine Model." Podium presentation. American Pediatric Surgical Association Annual Meeting 2024, Phoenix, AZ, May 15-19, 2024.

Byrne M, Marin C, Choi P, Flynn O'Brien K, Zagory J, Henry M, Wilson NA. "Imposterism in Pediatric Surgeons" Plenary presentation. American Pediatric Surgical Association Annual Meeting 2024, Phoenix, AZ, May 15-19, 2024.

Byrne M. URMC Department of Surgery Research Symposium, Rochester, NY, March 7, 2024. 2nd Place for Basic Science Research

Byrne M. ASCO/AACR Methods in Clinical Cancer Research 2024. San Diego, CA

What are your future goals?

I hope to be a pediatric and abdominal transplantation surgeon. I will spend my second research year completing projects and I am excited to return to clinical residency. Thereafter, I plan to apply for pediatric surgery and subsequent transplant surgery fellowships.

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