Surgery

Research

Optimizing surgical outcomes through innovative research

At the UCLA Division of General Surgery, research is a cornerstone of our mission to advance surgical science and improve patient care. We maintain one of the most active, diverse, and collaborative surgical research programs in the country. Our faculty, trainees, and interdisciplinary partners are engaged in basic science, translational, clinical, and health services research across a wide range of focus areas.

Research mission

Our research efforts aim to:

  • Advance the fundamental understanding of disease processes relevant to general surgery.
  • Translate scientific discoveries into new surgical techniques and therapies.
  • Improve patient outcomes and safety through innovative, data-driven approaches.
  • Train and mentor the next generation of surgeon-scientists.

We are committed to fostering a culture of inquiry and collaboration that enables discovery, encourages innovation, and supports scholarly excellence at every level of academic development.

Key areas of research

Our current research portfolio spans multiple domains, including:

  • Cancer Biology and Surgical Oncology:
    Investigating molecular mechanisms of gastrointestinal, colorectal, and endocrine cancers. Research efforts focus on early detection, biomarkers, surgical resection strategies, and multimodal treatment approaches.
  • Endocrine and Metabolic Disease:
    Studies include surgical treatment outcomes in thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal diseases, as well as long-term effects of bariatric surgery on obesity-related metabolic conditions.
  • Trauma, Critical Care, and Health Disparities:
    Faculty lead groundbreaking work in trauma systems, emergency surgery, and health equity, including NIH-funded projects addressing racial disparities in trauma care access and outcomes.
  • Surgical Technology and Innovation:
    Collaborations with engineering and computer science teams across UCLA explore robotic surgery, digital health tools, image-guided surgery, wearable sensors, and augmented reality in the operating room.
  • Health Services and Outcomes Research:
    Focused on improving surgical quality, patient safety, and value-based care. Our researchers evaluate healthcare delivery models, surgical complications, recovery protocols, and long-term patient-reported outcomes.
  • Global Surgery and Public Health:
    The division contributes to international surgical initiatives focused on increasing access to essential surgical care and strengthening trauma and surgical systems globally.

Research infrastructure and resources

UCLA is consistently ranked among the top 10 institutions in the U.S. for research funding and among the top public universities in the world. Within this environment, our division benefits from:

  • Access to NIH-funded centers and core research facilities
  • Institutional support for grant development and IRB navigation
  • Formal research training for residents through our dedicated 2+ year research track
  • Multidisciplinary partnerships across UCLA Health, the David Geffen School of Medicine, the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, and the Samueli School of Engineering