URMC / Department of Surgery / Research / Sponsored Programs and Research Administration / Spotlight Archive

Spotlight Archive

October 2024

Matt Byrne, MD

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.

Korry T. Wirth, MD

Research focus: Infections occur in the abdomen when a break in the lining of the intestinal tract allows bacteria to escape and grow in the normally sterile abdominal cavity. In children, the most common cause of intra-abdominal infection is perforated appendicitis (or a "burst" appendix). There is not much current research looking into novel treatments for appendicitis. My project focuses on using laser light, specifically photodynamic therapy (PDT), to kill the bacteria responsible for causing infections after appendicitis. Our goal is to decrease infections after surgery and decrease the amount of time someone must stay in the hospital for IV antibiotics after surgery.

Anthony Casabianca, MD

Research focus: We studied the mechanisms of pancreatic cancer dormancy and metastases in a novel murine model of the disease. We utilize an antibody targeting Netrin-1, to affect cancer metastases, improve survival, and inhibit tumor niche formation.

Anthony Loria, MD, PGY3

Research focus: I currently focus on three areas. First, I aim to improve methods for identifying incarcerated individuals in large datasets so that we can understand their surgical care needs and policy-level variations. Second, I study logistical challenges in organ preservation for patients with rectal cancer. Lastly, I explore how complications during surgery can develop into long-term health conditions.

Alexa Melucci, MD, PGY6

Research focus: My research focused on the outcomes of older adults with cancer after surgery. One project focused on the development of hospital acquired geriatric syndromes (malnutrition, delirium, etc.) after elective surgery for gastrointestinal cancer. We found older patients who undergo surgery for cancer are at risk for developing a syndrome in the hospital and development of the syndromes was associated with a higher risk of one-year mortality and significantly fewer days alive and out of hospital.

Read more: Alexa Melucci, MD

May 2024

Paul Burchard, MD, PGY3

Research focus: My research focused on targeting the highly treatment-resistant tumor microenvironment of cholangiocarcinoma by utilizing a novel agent that disrupts collagen-crosslinking to alter the tumor matrix. Through this project, we were able to reduce tumor stiffness and augment chemotherapeutic penetration to improve tumor control and survival in mouse models of cholangiocarcinoma.

Read more: Paul Burchard, MD