Stanford Urology Hosts 2025 Research Day

Stanford Urology welcomed faculty, residents, postdoctoral scholars, researchers, and invited experts from across the School of Medicine for the 2025 edition of 5th Annual Research Day. 

The program, annually led and hosted by Joseph Liao, MD, Professor of Urology, Director of Research, and Vice Chair for Academic Affairs, highlighted the department’s strong tradition of advancing research through multidisciplinary approaches in urology. Opening remarks were delivered by Eila Skinner, MD, Department Chair, alongside Dr. Liao.

Throughout the day, presenters showcased a wide range of topics, spanning cancer biology, health services research, medical technology, and translational science.

  • Non-destructive 3D Pathology and Analysis for Optimizing Treatments – Jonathan Liu, PhD, Professor of Pathology
  • Clinical Trials in GU Oncology – Ali Khaki, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
  • Non-invasive Identification and Pharmacologic Reversal of Field Cancerization in Bladder Urothelium – Phil Beachy, PhD, The Ernest and Amelia Gallo Professor
  • The Impact of REM Sleep Deprivation on Circadian Bladder Function and Implications for Humans – Amy Dobberfuhl, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Urology
  • Automating Chart Review With Large Language Models – Richard Fan, PhD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Urology
  • Stones, Moans, and Groans – How Does Science Leave the Lab? – Jessie Ge, MD, Clinical Scholar of Urology
  • Intracellular ATP Drives Biofilm Formation on Catheters from Chronically Catheterized Patients – Alex Polasko, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar, Brooks Lab
  • Factors Influencing Cancer Detection on MRI and Surgical Recommendation – Simon Soerensen, MD, PhD Student in Epidemiology and Population Health, Sonn/Chung Lab
  • A Novel Use of a Urinary Biomarker for Detection of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma – Jay Ogunkeye, MD, Urology Resident
  • Urine Cell-Free RNA Analysis for Bladder Cancer Detection and Monitoring – Kevin Liu, MS, PhD Student in Cancer Biology, Diehn Lab
  • Real-Time Bladder Tumor Detection Using Deep Learning – Liang Qiu, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar, Liao Lab
  • What is Changing in Male Health: A (not-so) Hidden Decline – Fausto Negri, MD, Visiting Postdoctoral Scholar, Eisenberg Lab
  • Systemic Inflammation and Semen Quality: Associations of Inflammatory Markers with Sperm Parameters Based on US Claims Data – Ashkan Langroudi, MD, Visiting Instructor, Eisenberg Lab
  • Bathroom Observation Study in Public Elementary Schools – Katie Kan, MD, Assistant Professor of Urology

 

The afternoon concluded with an engaging poster session and networking reception, featuring projects from multiple labs across the department:

Enemchukwu Lab – Susanna Gunamany, PhD
Dobberfuhl Lab – Nooshin Tafazoli, MD
Liao Lab – Max Siauw, Jordan Vo, and Sarah Do
Brooks Lab – Nicholas Hadi and Elise Wang