We strive to create an inclusive, collaborative and connected culture that fosters cutting-edge basic, translational, education, and health outcomes research. Our research programs investigate the underlying mechanisms of disease, translate discoveries in the laboratory to clinical trials, and offer experimental options with the goal of improving patient care. Our research funding portfolio exceeds $18 million annually with a large percentage from the National Institutes of Health.
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Latest Research News
Doctoral Student in Odorico Lab Receives Prestigious Graduate Training Award from UW Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Center
Second-year Cellular and Molecular Biology PhD student Caterra Leavens’ mission to develop a cure for Type 1 diabetes is personal; as a Type 1 diabetic herself, she is very familiar with the complexities of the …
Wisconsin Surgery Research Roundup: February 2025
Wisconsin Department of Surgery members engage in remarkable research that yields many impactful publications every month. We’re highlighting several of these publications monthly to showcase the diversity of research in the department; see selections from …
Surgery and Engineering Researchers Team Up to Enhance Wound Healing
Chronic wounds – wounds that haven’t started to heal after several weeks of treatment – affect over 6.5 million people in the U.S., are a threat to patients’ health and quality of life, and have …
Dr. Anna Beck Receives 2024 Badger Challenge Award
Certain types of benign breast lesions are associated with a high risk of future breast cancer development, but current clinical methods to estimate the level of an individual patient’s risk are inaccurate. With a new …
Wisconsin Surgery Research Roundup: January 2025
Wisconsin Department of Surgery members engage in remarkable research that yields many impactful publications every month. We’re highlighting several of these publications monthly to showcase the diversity of research in the department; see selections from …
Harris Lab Receives Research Funding from Two Campus-based Programs
The Wisconsin Surgical Laboratory in Metabolism (WiSLiM), run by Dave Harris, MD, an Assistant Professor in the Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery, conducts research on how bariatric surgery affects metabolism and aging, with the goal …
Vascular Surgery Resident Awarded ACS Research Scholarship
Kate Telma, MD, a PGY-2 vascular surgery resident, has been selected by the American College of Surgeons to receive a Resident Research Scholarship for the 2025-2027 award cycle. This two-year, $60,000 scholarship is supported by …
Dr. Luke Funk Selected as the New Editor-in-Chief of Annals of Surgery Open
Dr. Luke Funk, Professor in the Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery, was recently selected as the new Editor-in-Chief of Annals of Surgery Open. Annals of Surgery Open: Perspectives on Surgical History, Education, and Clinical Approaches …
Dr. Muhammed Murtaza Receives 2024 Bothwell Prize
Dr. Muhammed Murtaza, Associate Professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology, received the 2024 Bothwell Prize from the Carbone Cancer Center and the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research. This prize is awarded annually for a …
Wisconsin Surgery Research Roundup: December 2024
Wisconsin Department of Surgery members engage in remarkable research that yields many impactful publications every month. We’re highlighting several of these publications monthly to showcase the diversity of research in the department; see selections from …
Department of Surgery Celebrates 16th Annual Research Summit
On Thursday, Jan. 9, the Department of Surgery celebrated its 16th annual Research Summit. The theme of this year’s summit was “Advances in Surgical Research and Innovation.” There were over 300 attendees at this year’s …
Dr. David Aufhauser Awarded Grant from Association of Organ Procurement Organizations Foundation
Advances in organ storage techniques have revolutionized organ donation after cardiac death. These techniques, called normothermic regional perfusion (NRP), allow a transplant team to restore blood and oxygen to organs to help them recover normal …
Wisconsin Surgery Research Roundup: November 2024
Wisconsin Department of Surgery members engage in remarkable research that yields many impactful publications every month. We’re highlighting several of these publications monthly to showcase the diversity of research in the department; see selections from …
Harris Lab Receives Research Funding from Three Campus-based Programs and Partners
It’s been a bountiful fall for research funding for the Wisconsin Surgical Laboratory in Metabolism (WiSLiM) run by Dave Harris, MD, an Assistant Professor in the Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery. Over the last three …
Wisconsin Surgery Research Roundup: October 2024
Wisconsin Department of Surgery members engage in remarkable research that yields many impactful publications every month. We’re highlighting several of these publications monthly to showcase the diversity of research in the department; see selections from …
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Research Leadership
Luke Funk, MD, MPH
Vice Chair of Research
Angela Gibson, MD, PhD
Vice Chair of Research
Clinical Trials Core
Provides coordinator and regulatory support for all types of human subjects research including sponsored clinical trials, survery studies, registries, and chart reviews.
UW Humanized Mouse Core
The Humanized Mouse Core at the University of Wisconsin–Madison provides investigators with a variety of humanized mouse models for their individual research needs.
Statistical Analysis and Research Programming (STARP) Core
Provides faculty, researchers, and residents/fellows/students with comprehensive statistical and research programming support for their research activities including study design, grant application, abstract/manuscript review, statistical analysis, programming and results interpretation.
WiSOR Qualitative Core
The WiSOR Qualitative Core offers faculty and staff consultation, support, and expertise on study design, methodology, data collection and analysis, and interpretation of results. It also offers transcription services.