Division of Surgical Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

The Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery is an integral part of the Vanderbilt Department of Surgery. Emphasis is placed on the evaluation and treatment of patients with benign and malignant tissue disorders. We use a multidisciplinary approach to patient care and work closely to coordinate our efforts with the Divisions of Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Gynecologic Oncology, Hematology, and Surgical Pathology.

The Division has an extensive basic research program that emphasizes molecular biology and conducts department-sponsored and federally sponsored research in several areas. The basic science research programs of each faculty member are as follows:

R. Daniel Beauchamp, MD:
TGF-beta and Ras signaling in colon cancer, mouse models of colon cancer.

Mark C. Kelley, MD:
Dendritic cell immunotherapy for melanoma, growth factor signaling and molecular targeted therapy for melanoma.

A. Scott Pearson, MD:
Regulation of cell adhesion and tight junctions in colon carcinogenesis.

Nipun Merchant, MD:
EGF signaling in colon cancer, molecular targeted therapy for colon cancer.

Ingrid Meszoely, MD:
DPC4 replacement gene therapy in pancreatic cancer.

Ana Grau, MD:
TGF-beta and Ras signaling in breast cancer.

John Phay, MD:
Novel glucose transporters in malignancy.

Each faculty member is also involved in a wide variety of clinical and translational research projects, some of which are conducted as a part of our SPORE grants in GI and breast cancer. There are also a wide variety of projects in all areas of basic cancer biology which are being conducted by faculty members in other clinical and basic science departments.

Faculty

MARK C. KELLEY, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery, Chief, Division of Surgical Oncology

NAJI N. ABUMRAD, M.D., Professor of Surgery

EUGENE P. CHAMBERS, JR., M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery

ANA GRAU, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery

NIPUN B. MERCHANT, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery

INGRID M. MESZOELY, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery,
Assistant Clinical Director, Vanderbilt Breast Center

ALEXANDER A. PARIKH, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery

A. SCOTT PEARSON, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery

JOHN E. PHAY, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery

CLAUDIA ANDL, PH.D., Assistant Professor

PRAN K. DATTA, PH.D., Assistant Professor

PUNITA DHAWAN, PH.D., Assistant Professor