LaparoscopicAppendectomy near Scranton, PA

Biography: Kazuki N. Sugahara, MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Surgery. Dr. Sugahara studies drug delivery systems to enhance the diagnosis and therapy of various cancers, particularly pancreatic cancer. He has developed various tumor-targeting peptides that deliver compounds selectively to cancer tissue, and reported them in a number of high-profile journals such as Science. One of his peptides, the iRGD tumor-penetrating peptide, is now in a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trial for metastatic pancreatic cancer. Dr. Sugahara's work has been recognized through grants and awards from national agencies such as the NIH, Department of Defense, and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and also from international societies such as the Japan Society of Drug Delivery Systems. After receiving his medical degree from Shiga University of Medical Science in Japan, Dr. Sugahara underwent surgery residency at Tazuke Kofukai Kitano Hospital, Osaka, Japan, received a PhD in cancer biology and immunology from the Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Sanford-Burnham-Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California. He came to Columbia University in 2013 to take dual appointment as a categorical resident and a research faculty at the Department of Surgery. He now continues to pursue his career as a surgeon scientist with a special focus on pancreatic cancer.

Biography: Dr. Minerva A. Romero Arenas is an Endocrine & GeneralSurgeon at NYP Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. She is anAssistant Professor of Surgery at Weill Cornell MedicalCollege.Dr. Romero Arenas completed a fellowship in Oncologic Surgical Endocrinology at the University of Texas MDAnderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. She completed herGeneral Surgery Residency at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore.She earned her Medical Doctorate and Master of PublicHealth degrees from The University of Arizona College ofMedicine and the Zuckerman College of Public Health. Shestudied Cell Biology and French at Arizona State University as an undergraduate.Her interests include benign and oncologic endocrine neoplasms, hereditary syndromes, healthdisparities, quality improvement, global health, and genomics. A native of Mexico City, Mexico.Dr. Romero Arenas is passionate about recruiting the next generation of surgeons and isinvolved in mentoring through various organizations, such as the Association of WomenSurgeons, Tour for Diversity in Medicine, Latino Medical Student Association, National HispanicMedical Association, and Building the Next Generation of Academic Physicians. She is aFounding Member of the Latino Surgical Society.She enjoys fine arts, films, gastronomy, and sports. She enjoys jogging, swimming, andkickboxing. Most importantly, Dr. Romero Arenas treasures spending time with her family andloved ones.