Surgery Research
Discover How We Change Lives
Scientific curiosity and a deeply human commitment to improving our patients’ quality of life guide our researchers at the Department of Surgery.
The Future of Surgery
Our research spans basic science, translational and health services investigation, and our impact speaks for itself. Our department has consistently ranked in the top 5 for National Institutes of Health funding. We have more than 60,00 square feet of research space, and over 2 dozen labs.
Support from the Ground Up
Faculty and trainees in the department benefit from extensive physical and intangible resources — from more than 50,000 square feet of research space across the U-M medical campus, to a departmental tradition of openness that encourages investigators to work together.
You can see this collaboration in the way that we’ve organized our labs at U-M’s North Campus Research Complex, a 28-building scientific and administrative facility. In this multidisciplinary environment, cancer biologists, pharmacologists, engineers, health policy researchers and others work side-by-side. In just one recent example, a basic scientist has partnered with a biomedical engineer in order to study how miniature organoids could enable tissue transplantation for the treatment of diabetes.
Within the department, this support includes incentives not just for clinical effort, but for research as well, with some faculty spending up to 60 percent of their time on investigation. This freedom enables faculty to accelerate advances, and to invest more time in mentoring the residents and fellows who will become our future colleagues.
Moses Gunn Research Conference
This event celebrates our tradition of research and innovation—showcasing projects by residents, fellows, research scientists and medical students.
Featured News & Stories
How a temporary heart pump can support high risk cardiac surgery
Texas man walking on ‘new legs’ after complex vascular procedures
Receiving personalized treatment for a rare neuroendocrine tumor
2026 Moses Gunn Research Conference Highlights
Beyond the White Coat: Finding Your Voice at the Patient’s Bedside