Ava B Anklesaria, MD

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.

Marco B. Zoccali is a minimally invasive surgeon with extensive expertise in the treatment of the broad range of colorectal diseases including IBD, colon and rectal cancers, and benign colorectal diseases. He received his medical degree at the Catholic University in Rome, Italy where he also completed his surgical training. He then came to the USA where he did a Minimally Invasive Gastrointestinal Surgery Fellowship at the University of Chicago followed by a surgical residency at Weill Cornell Medical Center. He then completed his Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship at the University of Chicago. Although committed to managing the entire spectrum of pathologies that can affect the lower intestinal tract, his personal interest lies mostly in minimally invasive approaches to colorectal conditions – including the robotic platform – and the management of inflammatory bowel diseases. Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Zoccali is also a prolific researcher. He has published more than 50 articles in major surgical journals including The Journal of The American College of Surgeons, The British Journal of Surgery and Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and has contributed to several book chapters.

Alex Johnson Addo, MD MPH is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. He is a board-certified general surgeon who is fellowship trained in minimally invasive and robotic surgery. He graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine and completed his residency in general surgery at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA. He also completed a research fellowship at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Maryland focusing on patient-driven-outcomes of minimally invasive benign foregut and complex abdominal wall reconstruction surgery. He has published his research in peer-reviewed journals and presented at professional conferences both nationally and internationally. He continues to be actively engaged in hernia related research. After graduating from general surgery residency, Dr. Addo underwent fellowship training in minimally invasive foregut and complex abdominal wall surgery at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Maryland.Dr. Addo employs advanced minimally invasive techniques in repairing inguinal, ventral, incisional and complex abdominal wall hernias. He is passionate about delivering exceptional care and tailored surgical solutions to his patients.