Surgery Research

two reachers in white lab coats work in cederna lab

Discover How We Change Lives

Scientific curiosity and a deeply human commitment to improving our patients’ quality of life guide our researchers at the Department of Surgery.

The Future of Surgery

Our research spans basic science, translational and health services investigation, and our impact speaks for itself. Our department has consistently ranked in the top 5 for National Institutes of Health funding. We have more than 60,00 square feet of research space, and over 2 dozen labs. 

Research Areas

Our faculty, scientists and trainees are pursuing discoveries that shape the future of surgery with innovative patient care and a robust training environment.

Research Hubs

We foster collaboration and cutting edge research in five core areas —basic and translational science, outcomes and policy, training research, surgical innovation and global surgery.

Support from the Ground Up

Faculty and trainees in the department benefit from extensive physical and intangible resources — from more than 50,000 square feet of research space across the U-M medical campus, to a departmental tradition of openness that encourages investigators to work together.

You can see this collaboration in the way that we’ve organized our labs at U-M’s North Campus Research Complex, a 28-building scientific and administrative facility. In this multidisciplinary environment, cancer biologists, pharmacologists, engineers, health policy researchers and others work side-by-side. In just one recent example, a basic scientist has partnered with a biomedical engineer in order to study how miniature organoids could enable tissue transplantation for the treatment of diabetes.

Within the department, this support includes incentives not just for clinical effort, but for research as well, with some faculty spending up to 60 percent of their time on investigation. This freedom enables faculty to accelerate advances, and to invest more time in mentoring the residents and fellows who will become our future colleagues.

Moses cut out at the moses Gunn conference

Moses Gunn Research Conference

This event celebrates our tradition of research and innovation—showcasing projects by residents, fellows, research scientists and medical students.

Learn More About the Conference

Featured News & Stories

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A pill bottle is open and pills are placed onto a hand
Health Lab

Could a diabetes medication be the next wonder drug?

Researchers identified how sotagliflozin may reduce heart attack and stroke risk, potentially offering benefits beyond diabetes care
Dr. Seth Waits wearing a dark blazer and gray sweater with a collar.
Department News

Seth Waits, M.D., named new section head for the Section of Transplant Surgery

Learn more about Seth Waits, MD, the new head of the Section of Transplant Surgery.
Two U-M faculty headshots with the titling, National Academy of Medicine, presented above their names: Diane Harper and Jacqueline Jeruss.
News Release

Two U-M Researchers Earn Election to National Academy of Medicine

Two U-M Researchers Earn Election to National Academy of Medicine
Dr. Jacqueline Jeruss leaning against a glass rail wearing a white sweater.
Department News

Jacqueline Jeruss elected to the National Academy of Medicine

Surgical oncologist Jacqueline Jeruss, M.D., Ph.D., was elected to the National Academy of Medicine. Learn more about what this achievement means to her.
man smiling with glasses in booth
Health Lab

Exceptional response to immunotherapy gives patient with liver cancer more milestones to celebrate

U-M Health Rogel Cancer Center used single-dose immunotherapy and transplant oncology to treat advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in a 69-year-old patient.
little girl with yellow shirt on soccer field smiling ready for soccer
Health Lab

Pediatric patient treated for rare kidney cancer

When 18-month-old Maria was diagnosed with an exceptionally rare kidney cancer, specialists at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital created a customized treatment plan that saved her life.