Delitto Receives Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award Continuation Grant
July 15, 2025
Dr. Dan Delitto received a Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award Continuation Grant. According to the Damon Runyon website, the award is designed to provide two additional years of support to Damon Runyon Clinical Investigators who are approaching the end of their awards and need extra time and funding to complete a promising avenue of research, or initiate/continue a clinical trial.
Delitto received the Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award in 2022 to pursue novel immunotherapeutic approaches to fibrotic tumors, particularly pancreatic cancer.
“The scientific review committee noted that a surgeon receiving such extensive mentorship and divisional support is rare and should be promoted” said Delitto. “Thank you for everyone’s support.”
From the Damon Runyon Cancer Foundation website:
Pancreatic cancer develops in the midst of intense scarring and fibrous connective tissue (fibrosis). The architects of this scarring are cells called fibroblasts, known to fuel cancer growth and promote treatment resistance. Dr. Delitto’s research is focused on the interface between cancer-induced fibrosis and the immune system. He has shown that fibroblasts play a significant role in shielding cancer cells from immune cells. By altering how fibroblasts sense tissue damage, Dr. Delitto has uncovered a mechanism that reactivates the immune system to fight the tumor. He aims to further develop these findings into a novel immunotherapy regimen for pancreatic cancer.
Related Stories
– SurgeryDr. Delitto Receives Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award
Dr. Dan Delitto has received the Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award. Dr. Delitto will receive $600,000 over the course of three years to pursue novel immunotherapeutic approaches to fibrotic tumors, particularly pancreatic cancer.
Media Contact
Bio
About Stanford Surgery
The Stanford University Department of Surgery is dedicated to inventing the future of surgical care through:
• pioneering cutting-edge research,
• developing the next generation of leaders, and
• healing through incomparable surgical skills and compassion.
To learn more, please visit surgery.stanford.edu
The Latest
SurgeryStanford Surgery Announces New Chief of Plastic Surgery
Dr. Arash Momeni will succeed Dr. Jim Chang as Chief of Stanford's Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, effective September 1, 2026.
Division of Plastic & Reconstructive SurgeryINSIDE CSPS 2026: Stanford Plastic Surgery Recap
The 2026 California Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS) Annual Meeting was held in Huntington Beach, CA from April 9-12, 2026. Stanford Plastic Surgery had a strong presence throughout the meeting—from the podium to panel discussions and award recognition.
CAP ProfilesDr. Simeng Wang Promoted!
Dr. Simeng Wang has been promoted to the rank of Clinical Assistant Professor, effective September 1, 2026. Dr. Wang has been a Clinical Instructor in the Division of General Surgery, specializing in Critical Care.
SurgeryInnovation Council Announces 2026 Seed Grant Winner
Dr. Aussama Nassar is this year's Innovation Seed Grant awardee.
SurgerySpotlight: Dr. Michael Mwachiro, Kovitz Visiting Professor
On February 24th, 2026 the Department of Surgery welcomed Dr. Michael Mwachiro as the Kovitz Visiting Professor. Dr. Mwachiro is the President of the Surgical Society of Kenya and Chair of the Education and Research committee for the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA). Prior to and following his lecture, he joined the department for a two-week observership with a special emphasis on Stanford’s advanced endoscopy program.
Daniel Ahn, MD, BS, discusses the need for pediatric heart transplant policy reformDaniel Ahn, MD, BS, discusses the need for pediatric heart transplant policy reform | Contemporary Pediatrics
Stanford General Surgery Resident Daniel Jaechul Ahn, MD, BS, explains how status exceptions are used to navigate the current 3-status system and why policy reform is necessary.
SurgeryA Deep Dive into HIPEC and PIPAC with Dr. Byrne Lee
In this episode of Scrubcast, host Rachel Baker speaks with Dr. Byrne Lee, a surgical oncology expert at Stanford University, about innovative cancer treatments like HIPEC and PIPAC, while exploring the personal motivations and collaborative approaches that drive advancements in patient care. Dr. Lee shares his personal connection to cancer and emphasizes the importance of a patient-centered approach in navigating the complexities of treatment.
Vascular & Endovascular SurgeryDr. Nazish Sayed Receives NIH-NHLBI R35 Emerging Investigator Award
Dr. Nazish Sayed, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in the Division of Vascular Surgery and a faculty member of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, has been awarded the National Institutes of Health–National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH-NHLBI) Emerging Investigator Award (R35).
Division of Plastic & Reconstructive SurgeryDr. James Chang Receives 2026 David P. Green Mentorship Award
The American Society for Surgery of the Hand has announced that James Chang, MD, Professor of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford University, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 David P. Green Mentorship Award.
Vascular & Endovascular SurgeryDr. Chikage Noishiki Receives American Heart Association Career Development Award
Dr. Chikage Noishiki, an Instructor in the Sayed Lab within the Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, has been awarded an American Heart Association (AHA) Career Development Award.