Faculty in the Division of Endocrine Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine conduct ongoing clinical and scientific research, in addition to treating patients who have endocrine conditions. We conduct a wide array of multidisciplinary research projects, all with the goal of ultimately improving the care of our patients.

Our goal is to learn more about the natural history of thyroid cancer and the molecular changes that may make some types of cancer more aggressive than others.

Through this type of research, we aim to individualize patient care by identifying those who need to be treated more aggressively, as well as those who may not need to be treated at all. We are continually evaluating new surgical techniques to further decrease the risk of thyroid and parathyroid surgery and minimize patient discomfort.

Our research, led by Kepal N. Patel, MD, seeks to understand the mechanisms controlling the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in order to provide valuable insight into thyroid progression. As the MAPK pathway has been implicated in other types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, and melanoma, Dr. Patel’s research is applicable to multiple diseases.

The goal of our research program is to identify molecular factors that may serve as prognosticators and potential therapeutic targets for aggressive thyroid carcinoma. Dr. Patel was awarded a grant from the Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer (THANC) Foundation in cooperation with the American Thyroid Association for his research in thyroid cancer.

Dr. Patel is also the lead author of the first set of evidence-based guidelines to surgically manage adult thyroid disease, including thyroid nodules and cancer. By describing and evaluating the evidence and risk–benefit ratio of clinical recommendations, the guidelines support clinical decision-making.

Endocrine Surgery Faculty Publications

Faculty in our division publish in the field’s most respected peer-reviewed publications.