Cancer Research & Surgical Innovation

Advancing Cancer Care Through Science and Innovation

Translational Research Connecting Discovery to Patient Care

My work as a surgical oncologist is closely connected to laboratory discovery, translational cancer research, and national clinical collaborations focused on improving outcomes for patients with complex cancers. This scientific foundation also informs the thoughtful adoption of advanced robotic and minimally invasive surgical techniques when they can enhance precision, recovery, and overall treatment strategy.

Progress in cancer treatment depends on the integration of scientific discovery with clinical care. My research focuses on understanding cancer at its most fundamental biological levels and translating those insights into more effective, personalized treatments for patients.

This work includes investigations into tumor biology, mechanisms of cancer spread, and the behavior of tumor-initiating cells, as well as the development and evaluation of innovative surgical and technology-enabled therapies. By bridging laboratory science, clinical research, and surgical practice, the goal is to improve outcomes, expand treatment possibilities, and refine how cancer care is delivered.

Every advance in cancer care begins with a question — and a commitment to finding better answers for patients.

How My Research Informs Patient Care

My research career has focused on understanding how cancers grow, spread, and respond to treatment at the cellular and molecular level. This scientific foundation directly shapes how I care for patients today.

  • Understanding Tumor Biology
    Research on tumor-initiating cells and cancer signaling pathways helps explain why some tumors behave aggressively while others grow slowly. This supports thoughtful treatment planning, including when surgery should be combined with systemic or targeted therapies.

  • Translational Approach to Cancer Care
    Work in stem cell biology and tumor microenvironments emphasized how cancer cells interact with surrounding tissues and blood vessels. These principles influence how we evaluate tumor resectability, plan operations safely, and coordinate care with oncology specialists.

  • Commitment to Evidence-Based Surgery
    Participation in national research collaborations reinforces a practice grounded in clinical trials, biologic understanding of disease, and national guideline-based care.

  • Multidisciplinary Decision Making
    A research background fosters close collaboration across specialties so that each patient’s plan reflects the most current scientific knowledge.

  • Innovation with Safety
    Advanced robotic and minimally invasive techniques are adopted carefully and responsibly, with a focus on outcomes, risk evaluation, and oncologic safety.

Selected Research Funding & National Awards

Dr. Krampitz’s research has been supported by nationally competitive grants and foundations dedicated to advancing cancer biology and translational medicine. These awards supported collaborative research at leading academic institutions and contributed to advances in cancer biology and translational surgical science.

  • Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) – Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Dream Team
    Co-Investigator | 2014–2017

  • California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) – New Faculty Award II
    Co-Investigator | 2008–2013

  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Medical Research Fellows Program
    Co-Investigator (2006–2007) | Mentor (2014–2015)

  • A.P. Giannini Foundation Fellowship for Medical Research
    Investigator | 2012–2015

  • American College of Surgeons (ACS) Research Fellowship
    Investigator | 2013–2015

  • Stanford Medical Scholars Research Grant
    Co-Investigator | 2003–2004

Key Research Focus Areas

  • Tumor-initiating cells and cancer stem cell biology

  • Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor biology and targeted therapies

  • Mechanisms of cancer progression and metastasis

  • Tumor microenvironment and vascular signaling pathways

  • Translational surgical oncology and outcomes research

Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications

Below is a selection of peer-reviewed scientific publications that have contributed to current understanding of cancer biology, surgical oncology, and tumor behavior.

Identification of Tumorigenic Cells and Therapeutic Targets in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
PNAS. 2016.
Link: PubMed

Skin Fibrosis: Identification of a Dermal Lineage With Fibrogenic Potential
Science. 2015.
Link: PubMed

Surgical Adhesions in Mice Are Derived From Mesothelial Cells
Sci Transl Med. 2018.
Link: PubMed

Margin-Positive Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma During Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Additional Resection Does Not Improve Survival
Ann Surg Oncol. 2021.
Link: PubMed

Association of Mutant KRAS Alleles With Morphology and Clinical Outcomes in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2024.
Link: PubMed

Additional Peer-Reviewed Publications

Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis (EDKA) After Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Surgery. 2023.
Link: PubMed

ASO Author Reflections: Margin-Positive PDAC During Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Ann Surg Oncol. 2020.
Link: PubMed

Staging of Biliary and Primary Liver Tumors: Current Recommendations and Workup
Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2019.
Link: PubMed

Preoperative Drainage for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma
Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019.
Link: PubMed

Prospective Evaluation of Results of Reoperation in Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Ann Surg. 2018.
Link: PubMed

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia: Genetics and Clinical Management
Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2015.
Link: PubMed

Better Survival But Changing Causes of Death in MEN1
Ann Surg. 2015.
Link: PubMed

RET Gene Mutations in MEN2 and Familial Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma
Cancer. 2014.
Link: PubMed

Man With Hypoechoic Lesion Abutting the Pancreas
JAMA Surg. 2014.
Link: PubMed

Current Management of the Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Adv Surg. 2013.
Link: PubMed

Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
Curr Probl Surg. 2013.
Link: PubMed

Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours: Hypoenhancement Predicts Aggressiveness
HPB (Oxford). 2014.
Link: PubMed

Lymph Nodes and Survival in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
Arch Surg. 2012.
Link: PubMed

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor–Dependent Histone Deacetylase Activity in Placental Stem Cells
Development. 2005.
Link: PubMed

Book Chapters

  • Staging of Biliary and Primary Liver Tumors – Surgical Oncology Clinics of North America, 2019

  • The Spleen and Adrenal Glands – Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, 6th Ed., 2018

  • Exploration of the Gastrinoma Triangle – Atlas of Upper GI & HPB Surgery, 2016

  • Afferent Loop Syndrome – Gastrointestinal Surgery Complications, 2015

  • Discovery of RET Proto-Oncogene in MEN2 – Narrative History of Endocrine Surgery, 2013

  • Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors – Current Problems in Surgery, 2013

  • Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome – Surgery: Evidence Based Practice, 2012

  • Gastrinoma (MEN I) – Clinical Scenarios in Surgery, 2012

Research Abstracts & Presentations

  • Western Surgical Association (2018) – Vascular anatomy in hilar cholangiocarcinoma resection

  • Society of Surgical Oncology (2017) – Tumorigenic cells in pancreatic NETs

  • NANETS Annual Symposium (2015) – Tumorigenic cells in pancreatic NETs

  • AACR Pancreatic Cancer Conference (2014) – Anti-CD47 therapies

  • Pacific Coast Surgical Association (2012) – Lymph nodes in pancreatic NETs

From Discovery to Patient Care

Scientific discovery and surgical innovation are deeply connected — and both inform the care I provide to every patient facing a complex cancer diagnosis. My goal is to translate what we learn from tumor biology, clinical outcomes research, and national collaborations into practical decisions that improve safety, recovery, and long-term cancer control. When surgery is recommended, it is guided by evidence and integrated with multidisciplinary care so that each plan is tailored to the biology of the disease and the needs of the person.