Explore UAB

The UAB Department of Surgery offers basic science research opportunities for residents in the following areas. Please contact each individual program for more information.

GI Surgery

{slide=Jayleen Grams, M.D., Ph.D.}

  • Lab focuses upon adipocyte biology and metabolism through the study of osteocalcin, a bone-derived protein involved in glucose transport. Also studies the microbiome in bariatric patients. Basic science involving in vitro and in vivo experiments. 
  • Email: jgrams@uabmc.edu

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{slide=Greg Kennedy, M.D., Ph.D.}

  • Lab focuses on chemoprevention of colon and rectal cancer. Genetic models to better understand how chemicals prevent tumor formation and what genetic pathways are responsible for their effects. The ultimate goal of this effort is to identify targeted agents that are better tolerated by patients in hopes of preventing colon and rectal cancer. Basic science involving in vitro and in vivo experiments.
  • Email: gkennedy@uab.edu

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Pediatric Surgery

{slide=Elizabeth Beierle, M.D.}

  • Cell survival signaling with the focus on focal adhesion kinase and its relation to other signaling molecules such as I2PP2A and PIM with the goal to develop novel therapeutics for neuroblastoma and other pediatric solid tumors. Basic science including in vitro and in vivo work.
  • Email: elizabeth.beierle@childrensal.org

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{slide=Colin Martin, M.D.}

  • Lab focus is the study of innate immunity in intestinal disease of prematurity. Interested in the manner in which the environment influences developing B cell populations with the goal to develop novel therapeutic strategies. Basic science incorporating both in vitro and in vivo models.
  • Email: colin.martin@childrensal.org

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Plastic Surgery

{slide=Timothy King, M.D., Ph.D.}

  • Lab focuses on the development of tissue-engineered constructs for use in reconstructive plastic surgery. Elucidating the regulatory mechanisms required for neovascularization into engineered tissues. Investigation of Notch 2 and 3 signaling in wound healing. Basic science involving in vitro and in vivo experiments.
  • Email: twking@uab.edu

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Surgical Oncology

{slide=Herbert Chen, M.D.; Renata Jaskula-Sztul, Ph.D.}

  • Cell signaling pathways in endocrine neuroendocrine cancers including therapeutics targeting the Notch pathway in these malignancies. Development of animal models of GI carcinoid and medullary thyroid cancer. Basic science including in vitro and in vivo work. Also opportunities to do clinical studies and quality projects.
  • Email: hchen@uabmc.edu and sztul@uab.edu

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{slide=Sushanth Reddy, M.D.}

  • Lab focus is on the formation metastases in colon and rectal cancer. Looking at the role that Wnt plays in the early transformation of a cancer into a metastasis. Also trying to understand the role of pancreaticogenic diabetes in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer.
  • Email: sushanth@uab.edu

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Transplant Surgery

{slide=Devin Eckhoff, M.D.}

  • A shortage of organs available for transplantation has led this lab to pursue preclinical studies utilizing a porcine xenograft model as a supply for xenokidneys for transplantation. Includes basic science involving both in vitro and in vivo work.
  • Email: deckhoff@uabmc.edu

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