Celebrating Excellence. Advancing the Future of Academic Surgery.
The Society of University Surgeons Foundation (SUSF) proudly supports a wide range of awards and fellowships that recognize exceptional achievement and invest in the next generation of surgeon-scientists and academic leaders. Through the generosity of our donors, the Foundation funds opportunities that foster discovery, innovation, and leadership in academic surgery—ensuring that the field continues to grow and evolve.
When you give to the SUS Foundation, you make these awards possible. Your contribution directly impacts the development of surgeon-scientists who will advance the science and art of surgery for years to come.
CURRENT AWARDS
Stepstone Fellowship
2025-2026 Awardee: Allison Speer, MD
The SUSF Stepstone Fellowship is a unique catalyst for career growth, providing emerging leaders in surgery with unparalleled access to top institutions, influential mentors, and immersive experiences that shape the future of the field. Learn more about the award here.
Early Stage Investigator Award
2025-2026 Awardee: Lauren Krumeich, MD
This award is intended for surgical faculty members in the United States or Canada in any of the surgical disciplines to support their research in the basic, clinical/outcomes, or translational surgical sciences.
Applicants must qualify as an Early Stage Investigator (ESI) to be eligible for this award. An ESI is a Program Director/Principal Investigator who has completed their terminal research degree or end of post-graduate clinical training, whichever is later, within the past 10 years and who has not previously competed successfully as a PD/PI for a substantial NIH independent research award. Learn more about the award here.
George Yang, MD, PhD Early Stage Investigator Award
2025-2026 Awardee: Kevin Southerland, MD
George P. Yang, MD, PhD was an excellent surgeon-scientist and educator. However, his greatest impact will be his contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion. His final act after 15 years of leadership within the Society of University Surgeons, was to initiate the development of this Junior Faculty Award for underrepresented minor academic surgeons as President of the SUS Foundation. This award now bears his name.
This award is intended for surgical faculty members in the United States or Canada in any of the surgical disciplines to support their research in the basic, clinical/outcomes, or translational surgical sciences. Applicants should be those that are identified as as underrepresented in the biomedical or clinical fields, defined by the National Institute of Health. Learn more about the award here.
KARL STORZ Resident Research Scholar Award
2025-2026 Awardee: Palca Shibale, MD
Supported by an unrestricted grant from KARL STORZ, this award is intended for residents in any of the surgical disciplines who are working with an SUS member doing research in one of the following topics:
- Digital Technology in the OR – The impact of the use of new digital technology methods for Image Enhancement and Intelligence
- Augmentation (often referred to as Artificial Intelligence in the OR) on clinical outcomes and operating room efficiency.
Mid Career Award
2025-2026 Awardee: Tammy Chang, MD, PhD
This award is intended for SUS members in good standing in the United States or Canada with a history of research funding to support their continued research in the basic, translational, clinical/outcomes, or education surgical sciences. Members that are eligible include those who:
(1) Have previously been a PI on a major independent grant (R01 or equivalent)
(2) Are currently or have previously been a PI on a smaller grant (R21/R03 or equivalent pilot grant)
(3) Have previously held or are in the final year of a K- or equivalent career development award.
This award is intended to serve as bridge funding for those who have submitted within the past two years an application as PI for an independent grant (R-series or equivalent) but were not funded. Learn more about the award here.
Resident Research Scholar Award
2025-2026 Awardee: Yangzi (Clarissa) Liu, MD
This award is intended for residents in any of the surgical disciplines who are doing basic/translational, clinical, health services, surgical education, or bioengineering/information technology research. Eligible residents will have completed at least two years of training in the United States or Canada by the start date of the award and agree to spend at least one year in full-time research with a SUS member. Learn more about the award here.