A surgeon-scientist is an expert in clinical surgery as well as in translational research. He is as comfortable in a basic science laboratory as he is in performing complicated surgeries on his patients. He identifies a clinical problem, delves into the fundamental ‘roots’ of the problem, discusses it actively with his ‘basic science’ team, finds out a good solution for that problem through research, and then directs further research to establish that solution as the new standard of care for bettering treatment worldwide. Due to the surgeons’ close association with disease and medical care, they are uniquely positioned through experience and expertise to improve patient care and make lasting contributions to science.
Why are surgeon-scientists necessary?
A surgeon-scientist acts as an important bridge between the clinic and the laboratory for translation of research discoveries from basic science into clinical applications. Ultimately, these practical and useful clinical innovations lead to enhancement of health and well-being of the population at large. This is the ultimate pathway of progress of medical science.
What does it take to be a surgeon-scientist?
To be a successful surgeon-scientist, it takes an enormous amount of creativity and imagination, along with a deep understanding of literature, effective scientific training, and most of all, an ability to generate new ideas to solve clinical problems. An aspiring surgeon needs a good training in the art of surgery, and an aspiring scientist needs a good training in the scientific method. A combination of both is essential for a future surgeon-scientist.
How are surgeon-scientists unique and useful for the society?
Surgeon-scientists make fundamental contributions to medical science, helping in comprehensive understanding of a disease or clinical process and further discovery of innovative therapies. Due to their clinical knowledge and proximity to patients, practicing surgeons are best-suited to contribute to the understanding of the biology of surgical diseases. Technical excellence, clinical judgment, direct access to tissue samples and their own clinical perspectives on surgical diseases and treatment make them uniquely positioned for making significant scientific contributions.
What are the requirements to be a surgeon-scientist?
A passion for research and innovation, persistence and resilience are some of the must-have personal traits to be successful as a surgeon-scientist. Amongst the necessary essential skills are collaboration, teamwork and networking skills. An ability to establish and maintain institutional support is also necessary for success.
What are the fields of work of a surgeon-scientist?
A surgeon may be trained and skilled in surgery or any of its subspecialties. He may be engaged in bench research in the laboratory, usually translational, in wide-ranging fields. Genetics, genomics, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, immunology, systems biology, proteomics, cell biology, developmental biology, machine learning, artificial intelligence, computer-patient interface are some of the research fields that they may work on. Combination of knowledge from any of these research fields with any of the clinical surgery subspecialty leads to better understanding of the disease and helps in developing better treatment.
Who are some of the famous surgeon-scientists?
John Hunter
Joseph Lister
Alfred Blalock
Joseph Murray
Alexis Carrel
Werner Forssmann
Thomas Starzl
Judah Folkman
Denton Cooley
Russell Nelson
Gazi Yasargil
Jean-Michel Dubernard
Robert Spetzler
Ioannis Pallikaris
Pier Cristoforo Giulianotti
Anthony Atala
John Adler
Eric Genden
Elof Eriksson
About Dr Srinjoy Saha
Dr Srinjoy Saha is a skilled plastic, aesthetic & microvascular surgeon with 20 years of service in the medical field. Awarded many prestigious international and national awards in his career, he is a pioneer of regenerative surgery and minimal invasive laser scar treatments in India. Dedicated to providing excellent care and service to patients, he is famous for treating the patient both at physical and psychological levels for complete healing. He is vastly experienced in working in different healthcare settings and with varied age groups, ranging from paediatric to geriatric.
As a surgeon-scientist and a brilliant surgical innovator, Dr Srinjoy Saha is committed to combining plastic surgery and regenerative medicine for creating better quality of plastic surgery treatments. Trained at Harvard, he innovates develops and researches treatments following rigorous scientific methodology for better and standardised outcomes. He is a versatile team player who collaborates with basic scientists, cell biologists and biomedical engineers to devise more effective treatment options. He aims to convert currently practiced complex plastic surgeries into profoundly simpler, cheaper and more effective treatments for a much improved standard of care.
Clinic Address
Dr. Srinjoy Saha
Department of Plastic Surgery
Apollo Gleneagles Hospital
Day Care Building 2nd Floor
58 Canal Circular Road
Kolkata 700054, India.
Call: +91 987 463 3896
Email: ss@medi.ac