Drs. Fox and Momeni Appointed Ryan-Upson Scholars

Drs. Paige Fox and Arash Momeni have been appointed Ryan-Upson Scholars in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford University.

"It is a great honor to be named a Ryan-Upson Scholar," said Fox. "The ability to do research is dependent on competitive funding. Having a resource that enables me to explore new research directions and continue current promising leads is invaluable. I know my time as a Ryan-Upson Scholar will significantly impact my career as a surgeon-scientist."

The award is named in honor of the late Dr. Robert Ryan, a graduate of Stanford University School of Medicine who rose to be Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Tulane Hospital in New Orleans.

"Dr. Ryan was a longtime contributor to plastic and reconstructive surgery," said Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Dr. James Chang. "In my multiple discussions with Dr. Ryan, he expressed his wish to provide early funding for young promising academic plastic surgeons."

The three-year position includes a research grant to allow Fox and Momeni to pursue their academic interests.

“My lab focuses on augmenting healing through a collagen-based scaffold,” said Fox. “We focus on healing at the tendon-bone interface (TBI) using a rotator cuff model and skin healing using an acute wound defect model. Our goal is to develop a product that can be applied at the time of surgery after TBI repair, to chronic non-healing skin wounds, or transcutaneously to partial tendon or ligament injuries. In each of these cases, the scaffold could be personalized with the patient’s own cells to further accelerate healing and recovery.”

Momeni’s research is manifold, from clinical outcomes following breast reconstructive surgery to incorporating novel technology into operating rooms to improve surgical outcomes.

“An ongoing challenge remains breast and chest wall numbness following mastectomy and reconstruction. We are investigating new surgical techniques, including the use of nerve allografts, to transfer neurotized flaps, thus, increasing the likelihood of sensory restoration following mastectomy,” said Momeni. “It is a tremendous honor to receive this award and a testament to the Division’s and Department’s commitment to research and incredible support of its faculty.”