Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Research
Research Overview
Within UCSF’s Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, clinical care and research are tightly integrated to address problems that span the full spectrum of the human body from craniofacial anomalies and cleft conditions to complex wounds caused by trauma and cancer. As a field defined by its breadth, the division’s work extends beyond reconstruction to advancing fundamental approaches such as tissue regeneration, with implications that reach well outside traditional surgical boundaries.
Research efforts are focused on improving outcomes where current treatments fall short, developing new therapies, and translating scientific discovery into practical clinical solutions. Faculty physician-scientists, including Jason Pomerantz, MD; Scott Hansen, MD; Merisa Piper, MD; John Rose, MD; Esther Kim, MD and Alex Lin, MD, lead investigations that bridge laboratory research and patient care, with the goal of expanding what is surgically and medically possible.
The division also offers a select number of research opportunities for medical students, in key areas of focus including breast reconstruction, general plastic surgery, and hand and reconstructive surgery.
UCSF Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Labs
Virtual Initiative for Surgical Research, Teamwork, and Advancement (VISTA) Lab
At the Virtual Research Laboratory, our mission is to facilitate collaboration on plastic surgery research projects among medical students and residents. We are dedicated to providing opportunities for aspiring medical professionals, empowering them to engage in meaningful research. By fostering these collaborations and enabling innovative studies, we are committed to propelling advancements in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Our aim is to contribute to the future of patient care through knowledge, innovation, and the collective expertise of our diverse community.
LIN Lab (Learning Innovation Network Lab)
At the LIN Lab (Learning Innovation Network Lab), we are driven to push the boundaries of surgical innovation, integrating cutting-edge technology to transform patient care. Our work explores new frontiers in plastic and reconstructive surgery, craniofacial and maxillofacial procedures, and broader surgical applications, bringing real-world medical advancements to the operating room and beyond. By harnessing emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, 3D printing, real-time surgical monitoring, and next-generation medical devices, we hope to redefine new treatments in surgery and medicine. Our team is committed to developing practical, patient-centered solutions that enhance precision, improve outcomes, and make advanced surgical care more accessible. Through interdisciplinary collaboration with engineers, clinicians, and researchers, we translate innovation into tangible, life-changing advancements in medicine.
Pomerantz Lab
Our laboratory studies basic and translational aspects of tissue regeneration. The lab's research program is closely intertwined with regenerative medicine. With foundations in muscle and cancer biology, we are investigating regenerative mechanisms including stem cell development and de-differentiation. By employing model organisms such as zebrafish and mouse and extending discoveries to human cells and tissues, we hope to gain fundamental insight that can be translated into clinical advances, most notably solving the structural and reconstructive problems of the limbs, face, and head, whether congenital or acquired.
Hansen Lab
Dr. Hansen's research lab is dedicated to advancing reconstructive plastic surgery through clinical outcomes research, surgical innovation, and care for underserved patient populations. Our areas of focus include complex wound reconstruction, hidradenitis suppurativa, hand and microsurgery, and soft tissue infection management. We foster a highly collaborative environment in which medical students, residents, and faculty work closely together on projects ranging from retrospective clinical studies and systematic reviews to translational and technology-driven initiatives. Beyond academic productivity, we are committed to mentorship, diversity in plastic surgery, and supporting the advancement of patient reconstructive surgical care.
Medical Student Research Applications
Hansen Lab Research Application
For students interested in research opportunities with Dr. Scott Hansen, Chief and Residency Program Director for the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at UCSF: please fill out the form below and the research team will email you back with upcoming opportunities, if available.
Research Projects include, but are not limited to the following areas in Hand and Reconstructive Surgery:
- Hand infections and trauma including peripheral nerve
- DEI in plastic surgery residency and fellowship
- Sartorius muscle flaps for complex groin closures in vascular surgery
- Abdominal wall reconstruction
- Medical and Surgical Management of Hidradenitis Suppurativa
- The Use of Next Generation Biologics in Soft Tissue Reconstruction
Go to Hansen Lab Research Application
For medical students who are interested in one of these research opportunities and have not spoken to one of our Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery faculty members please contact Madison Cavallaro at [email protected] to schedule a brief initial screening meeting with our Program Director and Chief, Dr. Scott Hansen.
Medical Student General Plastic Research Application
For students interested in general plastic surgery research, including hand surgery, craniofacial, lymphedema, gender-affirming surgery, peripheral nerve, and global health, working with a UCSF Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery faculty member.
Please fill out the Smartsheet form and ensure to upload your CV and proposal for planned research. The chosen individual for the 2026 - 2027 academic year will be awarded with a $10k stipend.
Go to Medical Student General Plastic Research Application
For medical students who are interested in one of these research opportunities and have not spoken to one of our Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery faculty members please contact Madison Cavallaro at [email protected] to schedule a brief initial screening meeting with our Program Director and Chief, Dr. Scott Hansen.
Medical Student Breast Reconstruction Research Application
For students interested in breast reconstruction research with a UCSF Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery faculty member.
Please fill out this form and ensure to upload your proposal for planned research. The chosen individual for the 2026 - 2027 academic year will be awarded with a $10k stipend.
Go to Medical Student Breast Reconstruction Research Application
For medical students who are interested in one of these research opportunities and have not spoken to one of our Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery faculty members please contact Madison Cavallaro at [email protected] to schedule a brief initial screening meeting with our Program Director and Chief, Dr. Scott Hansen.