Two Surgery Trainees Receive TRAM Pilot Grants

October 2 2025

Drs. Veit Eckardt and Chuner Guo have received Translational Medicine and Applied Medicine (TRAM) pilot grants.

Eckardt, a visiting postdoctoral scholar in the Leeper Lab, will study "Precision targeting of sodium channels in a patient with primary erythromelalgia caused by an undescribed mutation in SCN11A."

Guo, a general surgery resident and postdoc in the Hagey Lab, will study "Targeting alarm signal-responsive cancer-associated fibroblasts in gastric cancer: reprogramming innate-adaptive immune crosstalk to overcome immunotherapy resistance."

In addition to the funding, TRAM grant recipients are invited to a seminar series (MED221) and to present at their annual symposium. The 2026 event will take place on May 28 in Le Ka Shing's Berg Hall.

Media Contact

Director of Communications

(650) 723-2301

rebaker@stanford.edu

Bio

As the Director of Communications for Stanford Surgery, Rachel Baker tells the stories of her department's faculty, staff, and trainees. With the help of an amazing team of content creators, she produces and curates original articles, photos, videos, graphics, and podcasts. She works with each division, center, program, and lab within her purview to define their audience and reach their goals while maintaining a consistent brand voice. She also offers both 1:1 and group education on a variety of topics including media training, using social media to advantage, and presentation refinement. Rachel holds a Bachelor's degree in journalism with a focus on photography from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Strategic Communications from the University of Maryland.

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

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