Show Notes
In this episode of Scrubcast, host Rachel Baker sits down with Dr. Greg Tiao, a professor in Stanford Surgery’s divisions of Abdominal Transplantation and Pediatric Surgery. Tiao discusses the path that led him to train in both pediatric surgery and transplantation and how more than 25 years of studying biliary atresia have shaped his career. He explains the disease, the role of the Kasai portoenterostomy, and why many patients eventually require liver transplantation. Tiao also shares where he hopes his work will go next, including research aimed at understanding and potentially preventing the fibrosis and scarring that can develop in children with biliary atresia. He discusses opportunities to collaborate with Stanford researchers, the development of a pediatric hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) program, and the evolving role of minimally invasive and robotic techniques in pediatric surgery. Plus, in the Scrubcast lightning round, Tiao reflects on mentorship, the advice that has guided his career, and why helping children and families facing difficult diagnoses continues to motivate him.
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*Music by NastelBom*
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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 Tcells 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 persistentinfection. 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.
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.
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 Listen to his talk at HEC
In this episode of Scrubcast, Assistant Professor Dr. Dawesdiscusses 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.