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Stephen Y. Lai, MD, PhD, FACS

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Assistant Professor, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment

Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Bio Statement

Dr. Lai is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and a board-certified head and neck cancer surgeon.  Dr. Lai received his undergraduate degree from Stanford University and his medical and doctorate degrees from The University of California, San Francisco.  He performed his residency at The University of Pennsylvania and completed his fellowship in oncologic head and neck/cranial base surgery at The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  His clinical expertise is in head and neck cancers with a special emphasis on thyroid and parathyroid disease, salivary gland neoplasms, conservation laryngeal surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery.  Dr. Lai takes a multidisciplinary approach to the management of head and neck cancer patients with active participation in cutting-edge treatment protocols.  Dr. Lai has received research awards from the American College of Surgeons, American Head and Neck Society, American Academy of Otolaryngology and The Thyroid Head and Neck Cancer (THANC) Foundation. 

Research Interests

Regulation of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) invasion and metastasis by the tumor microenvironment

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and erythropoietin (EPO) in HNSCC

Micro RNA regulation of HNSCC disease progression

Targeted therapies for thyroid cancer

Office Address

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcombe Blvd.
Unit Number: 1445
Houston, TX 77030
Room Number: FCT10.6002
Fax: (713) 794-4662

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1998 University of California, San Francisco, CA, MD, Medical School
1996 University of California, San Francisco, CA, PHD, Biomedical Sciences
1991 Stanford University, Stanford, CA, BA, with distinction, Economics
1991 Stanford University, Stanford, CA, BS, with distinction and honors, Biological Sciences

Postgraduate Training

7/2003-6/2005 Clinical Fellowship, Head & Neck Surgical Oncology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Pittsburgh, PA, Eugene Myers, MD
7/1999-6/2003 Clinical Residency, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, David W. Kennedy, MD
6/1998-6/1999 Clinical Internship, Department of General Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, Clyde F. Barker, MD

Board Certifications

2004 American Board of Otolaryngology

Honors and Awards

2007-present America's Top Physicians
2004 American Head & Neck Society Byers Award
1997 Alpha Omega Alpha
1991 Phi Beta Kappa

Professional Memberships

American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
CORE Grant Review Committee, Member, 2008-present
Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology Committee, Member, 2002-present
Member, 1999-present
American Association for Cancer Research
Member, 2003-present
American College of Surgeons
Fellow, 2006-present
American Head and Neck Society
Annual Meeting Program Committee, 2009-present
Publication Committee, 2006-2011
Research Committee, 2006-2009
Member, 2004-present
American Rhinologic Society
Member, 1998-2005
American Society of Clinical Oncology
Member, 2006-present
Harris County Medical Society, Houston, TX
Membership, 2009-present
North American Skull Base Society
Member, 2004-present
Society of University of Otolaryngologists
Member, 2005-present
Texas Medical Association, Austin, TX
Membership, 2009-present

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Lai SY, Walvekar RR, Ferris RL. Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy: expanded indications and oncologic completeness. Head Neck 30(11):1403-7, 2008. NIHMSID: NIHMS138580.
2. Nance MA, Seethala RR, Wang Y, Chiosea SI, Myers EN, Johnson JT, Lai SY. Treatment and survival outcomes based on histologic grading in patients with head and neck mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Cancer 113(8):2082-9, 2008. NIHMSID: NIHMS138576.
3. Bennett CL, Silver SM, Djulbegovic B, Samaras AT, Blau CA, Gleason KJ, Barnato SE, Elverman KM, Courtney DM, McKoy JM, Edwards BJ, Tigue CC, Raisch DW, Yarnold PR, Dorr DA, Kuzel TM, Tallman MS, Trifilio SM, West DP, Lai SY, Henke M. Venous thromboembolism and mortality associated with recombinant erythropoietin and darbepoetin administration for the treatment of cancer-associated anemia. JAMA 299(8):914-24, 2008. PMID: 18314434.
4. Lai SY, Childs EE, Xi S, Coppelli FM, Gooding WE, Wells A, Ferris RL, Grandis JR. Erythropoietin-mediated activation of JAK-STAT signaling contributes to cellular invasion in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oncogene 24(27):4442-9, 2005. PMID: 15856028.

Grant & Contract Support

Title: Regulation of Invasion and Metastasis by HIF-1 in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Funding Source: NIH Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/22/2006 - 9/21/2011
 
Title: Erythropoietin Signaling in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Funding Source: Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute Young Clinical Scientist Award
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 7/1/2005 - 6/30/2010

Last updated: 9/22/2009