On this episode of Scrubcast, Dr. Alma Cepika, assistant professor in the Division of General Surgery and chief of its new Surgical Sciences Section, explains how regulatory T cells help prevent the immune system from causing unnecessary damage. She introduces the differences between FOXP3 regulatory T cells and type 1 regulatory T cells, or TR1 cells, and makes concepts such as multi-omics, transcription, epigenetics, and in vivo research accessible through everyday analogies.

The conversation explores her team’s research identifying TR1-like cells in human cancers and investigating whether these cells may suppress antitumor immunity or contribute to resistance to checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Dr. Cepika also discusses the complex role of TR1 cells in transplantation and persistent infection.

Finally, she shares how advice from a movie helps her keep her calm, reveals her preference for punk rock in the lab, and describes opportunities for researchers and trainees to join her growing laboratory.

Read the article in Science Advances 

In this episode of Scrubcast, host Rachel Baker sits down with Dr. Shipra Arya, a professor in the Division of Vascular Surgery at Stanford University, to discuss her journey into vascular surgery and her groundbreaking clinical trials. The conversation first delves into her recent PAUSE trial, which focuses on improving outcomes for frail patients undergoing surgery by fostering multidisciplinary collaboration. As she prepares to share her findings, Dr. Arya expresses her passion for advancing health services research and optimizing patient care.

The discussion also explores Dr. Arya's new WARRIORS trial, which will address the critical issue of sex-specific screening guidelines in vascular health, particularly abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in women. Dr. Arya emphasizes the need for tailored research to better understand the risk factors for women, citing the inadequate application of existing male-centric data. With an insightful commentary on leadership in surgery and personal growth, Dr. Arya shares her commitment to making meaningful contributions to her field while leading with a team-oriented approach.

Learn more about the WARRIORS Trial.

Amin Etemad is the first staff member featured on Scrubcast and a vital contributor to quality improvement (QI) at Stanford Surgery. Amin shares his journey from growing up in a medical family to pursuing an MBA in Medical Management. He discusses the importance of QI in the surgical field, how QI is structured within the department, and the critical role data plays in enhancing patient outcomes and communication among healthcare providers. Amin also highlights innovative initiatives like SurgIQ, a program designed to involve surgical residents in quality improvement early in their training. Tune in to discover how Amin and his team are making a lasting impact in healthcare delivery and patient experiences.

Video of Frank Sinatra & Antônio Carlos Jobim

Link to his talk at HEC

In this episode of Scrubcast, Assistant Professor Dr. Dawes discusses what drew him to colorectal surgery—including his love for intestinal surgery, the field's breadth from minor anorectal procedures to complex pelvic surgeries, the welcoming culture, and love of new technology.

Dr. Dawes highlights exciting advances in robotic surgery, including performing California's first single-port colectomy with Dr. Gahagan. He explains how single-port robotic technology is particularly beneficial for natural orifice procedures, such as transanal surgery for rectal polyps and cancers, as well as operations involving stomas. While he acknowledges that robotic surgery won't completely replace traditional open surgery—especially for complex reoperative cases—he believes it's lowering the technical barriers for minimally invasive procedures and expanding what surgeons can offer patients. As Stanford's Director of Robotic Education, he has been revamping the surgical residency curriculum to make robotic training more transparent and accessible, with clear milestones for both residents and faculty.

Read about his new K award: https://surgery.stanford.edu/news2/dawes-k08.html

On this episode of Scrubcast, host Rachel Baker speaks with Dr. Catherine Curtin, a professor specializing in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Stanford University's Department of Surgery. Dr. Curtin explains that peripheral nerves—nerves outside the brain and spinal cord—are the "neglected children" of medicine and can cause a wide range of problems from headaches to carpal tunnel syndrome. Her new favorite nerve is the peroneal nerve, which is located on the outside of the knee. She discusses common issues related to this nerve, including foot drop and clumsiness, while sharing insights from her research aimed at identifying individuals at higher risk of peripheral nerve injuries. The conversation also touches on the importance of preventative measures and advancements in diagnosing these conditions. Dr. Curtin discusses her research aimed at identifying at-risk individuals before they experience falls and injuries.

Don’t miss the episode's "lightning round" when Dr. Curtin shares her admiration for her mentor Dr. Rod Hentz, her mantra to "be the blessing," and her unique approach of letting awake patients choose the operating room music …and threatening Justin Bieber if they can't decide!

Links to International Orthopaedics articles:

An overview of common peroneal nerve dysfunction and systematic assessment of its relation to falls

Carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis as a risk factor for falls

In this episode of Scrubcast, host Rachel Baker speaks with Dr. Byrne Lee, a clinical professor specializing in surgical oncology at Stanford University. Dr. Lee shares his personal connection to cancer, discussing how family experiences have shaped his dedication to the field. The episode delves into innovative treatments such as Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) and the emerging technique of Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC), highlighting their roles in treating cancers that have spread to the abdominal cavity. Dr. Lee emphasizes the importance of a patient-centered approach in cancer care, offering insights into the evolving landscape of treatment options and the crucial role of multidisciplinary collaboration in improving patient outcomes.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of not only the technical aspects of these advanced therapies but also the emotional and ethical considerations that accompany cancer treatment. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, Dr. Lee inspires hope and resilience in the face of challenging diagnoses.

Link to “Results of the First Phase I PIPAC Trial in the United States: Braving the Storm”

We welcome back Dr. Nazish Sayed, an associate professor in vascular surgery at Stanford University, for an insightful discussion on the latest research in cardiology and vascular health. In this episode, Dr. Sayed reflects on the enduring benefits of statins, delves into the intricacies of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and their effects on vascular endothelial cells, and introduces innovative approaches in studying vascular Ehlers Danlos syndrome. He also shares personal experiences as both a clinician and cancer survivor, shedding light on the emotional journey of patients navigating "scanxiety." Tune in to explore cutting-edge advancements in cardio-oncology and precision medicine that promise to improve patient care and outcomes in this fascinating field.

JAMA, Are We There Yet?

Multiscale profiling of tyrosine kinase inhibitor cardiotoxicity reveals mechanosensitive ion channel PIEZO1 as cardioprotective

Listen to our 2023 episode on statins

Dr. Dan Delitto is an assistant professor of surgery at Stanford University specializes in surgical oncology and holds a PhD in immunology. On this episode, Dr. Delitto reflects on his decision to pursue an MD-PhD pathway during residency and discusses the recent advancements in single-cell RNA sequencing technology that his lab has acquired. He explains the complex role of fibroblasts in cancer development, particularly in pancreatic ductal carcinoma, highlighting how these cells can both promote and hinder tumor growth.

The conversation includes a lightning round, during which Dr. Delitto shares his admiration for his mentor, Steve Hughes, and offers succinct advice on the importance of surgical experience. He also mentions his preference for trance music while working and shares his excitement about ongoing and future research projects in his lab, which include investigations into various cancers, such as sarcomas.

Link to Nature Cancer article: “Cancer-derived mitochondria fuel fibroblasts to become pro-tumorigenic.”  

Link to Cell Reports article: “Disruption of fibroblast MYD88 signaling promotes antitumor immunity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma”