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
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
- stanfordplastic on Instagram
Dr. Matthew J. Murphy Promoted to Clinical Associate Professor
Congratulations to Dr. Matthew J. Murphy on his promotion to Clinical Associate Professor in the Stanford University Department of Surgery!
- conqueringcancercampaign on Instagram
So what is immunotherapy? And how can it help to treat melanoma?
In this reel, the remarkable Dr. Amanda Kirane, Associate Professor of Surgery at Stanford Medicine, explains how immunotherapy can harness the body’s immune system to fight, and sometimes even cure, cancer. The incredible breakthroughs in cancer treatment that were pioneered in the treatment of melanoma provide hope for a future where we conquer cancer. Dr. Kirane is a participant in the Conquering Skin Cancer film.
- Division of General Surgery
Residency Creates Two New Chief Resident Roles
The General Surgery Residency Team has created two new Chief Resident roles for the 2026-27 academic year to enhance wellness and professional development. These roles were developed through a collaborative, resident-driven process with faculty support.
- Surgery
Dr. Nassar Promoted to Clinical Professor
Aussama Nassar, MD, MSc, FACS, FRCSC has been promoted to Clinical Professor, effective August 1, 2026. Nassar is board-certified in both General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care in the United States and Canada, and he has been a member of the Division of General Surgery’s faculty since 2017.
- American Medical Association
Ditching the “SAD plate” to prevent and control chronic disease
The Standard American Diet—or SAD plate—contributes to high rates of chronic disease. Using the “food is medicine” approach can help your patients. Dr. Michelle Hauser is quoted.
- Surgery
Department Announces Second Vice Chair Cohort
Stanford Surgery announced its second class of Associate Vice Chairs (AVC), effective September 1st.
- Vascular & Endovascular Surgery
Dr. Amanda Filiberto Receives VA Palo Alto Early Career Development Award to Advance Surgical Decision-Making Research
Stanford Vascular Surgery faculty member Dr. Amanda Filiberto has received a Veterans Affairs (VA) Palo Alto Early Career Development Award to support research focused on improving postoperative care for Veterans undergoing inpatient surgery.
- Vascular & Endovascular Surgery
Resident Dr. Keyuree Satam Selected for NHLBI-Funded Vascular Disease T32 Training Program
The Stanford Division of Vascular Surgery is pleased to announce that Dr. Keyuree Satam has been selected for the highly competitive Mechanisms and Innovation in Vascular Disease T32 Training Program.
- Client Challenge
What is aortic dissection?
Stanford's Dr. Jason Lee explains 'scary' condition linked to Lindsey Graham's death.
- Surgery
Leading Quality Change at Stanford Surgery with Amin Etemad, MBA
Amin Etemad, Stanford Surgery's Quality Programs Manager, talks about the critical role of quality improvement in surgical care, his journey from a medical family to healthcare leadership, and innovative initiatives like SurgIQ that engage residents in enhancing patient outcomes.