Joseph D. Shirk

Joseph D. Shirk, MD serves as Chief of Urology at the Greater Los Angeles VA Health System and Assistant Professor of Urology at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, specializing in complex urologic oncology procedures including robotic cystectomy, partial nephrectomy, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, and tumor thrombectomy across Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, UCLA Santa Monica, and West Valley campuses.

Education:

• MD, Medical College of Wisconsin (2012)
• BA, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2007)
• Urology Residency, UCLA School of Medicine (2013-2018)
• Urologic Oncology Fellowship, UCLA School of Medicine (2018-2020)
• General Surgery Internship, Boston Medical Center (2012-2013)

Research Focus: Dr. Shirk pioneers advanced imaging applications in urologic oncology, developing 3D virtual reality platforms for surgical planning in bladder, kidney, and prostate cancer. His work bridges engineering innovation with clinical outcomes, emphasizing how immersive visualization technologies enhance surgical precision and reduce complications in robotic procedures.

Publication Analysis: His recent scholarly output reveals dual research trajectories: technological innovation in surgical imaging (particularly 3D/VR applications for nephrectomy) and patient-centered decision science in prostate/renal cancer. The 2019 JAMA Network Open trial established evidence for VR's impact on surgical outcomes, while earlier works explored decisional conflict metrics and resource management during public health crises.

Scientific Recognition:

• Consecutive Super Doctors Southern California Rising Stars honors (2021-2025)

Grants and Leadership: Awarded dedicated funding for virtual 3D tumor mapping in bladder cancer surgery (2021), Dr. Shirk directs research within UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center while contributing to national discourse through American Urological Association presentations including AUA 2025 innovations showcase.

Research Ecosystem: As Cancer Control and Survivorship program member at JCCC, he leads cross-disciplinary teams integrating biomedical engineering, surgical oncology, and health services research to transform imaging technologies into clinical practice through iterative platform development and outcomes validation.