Faculty

Professor
Vice Chair, Basic Research 
Dr. Champ Lyons Endowed Chair in General Surgery

Areas of Interest
cognition and synaptic plasticity, mental illness, addiction, neuronal injury, neuroendocrine cancer, intracellular signal transduction

Associate Professor
Program Director, UAB Colorectal Surgery Fellowship

Areas of Interest
minimally invasive colorectal surgery, sphincter-sparing surgery for colorectal cancer, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, rectal prolapse, colonic inertia, anal cancer

Instructor

Areas of Interest
neuroendocrine tumorigenesis and pathophysiology, tumor-derived hormonal induction of gastrointestinal disease, bioengineering microbial-based therapeutics, host-microbe interactions

Instructor
Managing Director, UAB Behavioral Assessment Core

Areas of Interest 
Gut-Brain Axis and Mood Disorders, Sex differences in Stress related Disorders, Metabolic Syndrome and Neuropsychiatric comorbidities

Associate Professor
Vice Chair, Health Services Research
Co-Leader, Surgical Grand Rounds
Selwyn M. Vickers, M.D., F.A.C.S. Endowed Chair

Areas of Interest
colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticular disease and anorectal pathology, health care disparities research, Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS), microbiome research

Associate Professor
Program Director, General Surgery Residency

Areas of Interest
minimally invasive GI surgery, foregut and anti-reflux, abdominal wall hernias, surgical education

Professor
Director for Gastrointestinal Biology Research

Areas of Interest
brain development and plasticity, neurotransmitters, substance abuse

Assistant Professor

Areas of Interest 
Global Surgery, Rural Surgery, Health informatics, Genetic Epidemiology

Professor
Vice Chair, VA Affairs
Associate Chief of Staff, VA Surgical Services
Director, Minimally Invasive Surgery at Birmingham VA
Assistant Program Director, Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship

Areas of Interest
foregut and bariatric surgery, achalasia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hiatal or paraesophageal hernias, morbid obesity and metabolic syndrome, role of microbiome in obesity, outcomes research

Assistant Professor

Areas of Interest
minimally invasive colorectal surgery, colon cancer, rectal cancer, anal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, benign anorectal pathology

Professor

Biography

Richard Hanney is a General Surgeon at Westmead and Mount Druitt Hospitals in Sydney, and a Clinical Senior Lecturer in the Western Clinical School. He was appointed Head of the Mount Druitt Hospital Department of Surgery in 2012. Committed clinically to the Western Sydney community, his academic interests led to him being elected Chair of the RACS Section of Academic Surgery in 2013. He has previously represented the craft group of Surgery on AMA Federal Council.

Associate Professor
Program Co-Director, Surgery Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)
Assistant Program Director for Resident Research, General Surgery Residency Program

Areas of Interest
colon and rectal surgery, intestinal surgery

Assistant Professor
Member, Institute for Cancer Outcomes & Survivorship
Associate Scientist, Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center (MHRC)
Co-Director, Short-Term Research Experiences Advancing Medical Students (STREAMS)

Areas of Interest
inflammatory bowel disease; pelvic pouch surgery; colon, rectal, and anal cancer; diverticulitis; rectal prolapse; benign anorectal disorders; enterocutaneous fistula; minimally invasive surgery; re-operative surgery; Research interest: health disparities, quality measurement

Assistant Professor

Areas of Interest 
GI surgery, general surgery, outcomes research

Professor
Director, Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery
John H. Blue Chair of General Surgery
Cancer Network Director, O’Neal Cancer Service Line

Areas of Interest
colon cancer, rectal cancer, anal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, benign conditions of colon, rectum and anus, endoscopic treatment of colonic disease, chemoprevention

Assistant Professor

Areas of Interest
brain development and plasticity, neurotransmitters, substance abuse

Professor
Vice Chair, Perioperative Services
Chief of General Surgery, Birmingham VA Hospital

Areas of Interest
minimally invasive colorectal surgery, colon and rectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis), diverticulitis, and rectal prolapse

Clinical Instructor, Gastrointestinal Surgery 

Areas of Interest 
gallbladder disease, abdominal wall hernias, health services research and surgical education

Associate Professor

Areas of Interest
gastroesophageal reflux disease, hiatal and paraesophageal hernias, abdominal wall hernias, gallbladder disease, resident education and health outcomes research

Professor

Areas of Interest
disorders of the pancreas, adrenal, thyroid, and parathyroid glands