Michael Cavnar

Michael Cavnar, MD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. He holds dual appointments as a member of the Markey Cancer Center and the Cancer Research Priority Initiative, and participates in the Translational Oncology Research Program.

Dr. Cavnar's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (2002), Doctor of Medicine from Columbia University (2007), and Residency training at New York University (2015). His academic trajectory demonstrates a clear progression from foundational medical education to specialized surgical oncology expertise.

His research focuses on surgical oncology with particular expertise in hepatic arterial infusion therapy, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and cancer metastasis. Recent work spans colorectal cancer liver metastases, sarcoma management, pancreatic cancer immunotherapy, and machine learning applications in endometrial cancer. Dr. Cavnar has developed significant expertise in hepatic arterial infusion techniques and their clinical implementation, establishing minimum safety standards for new pump programs and addressing regulatory challenges in device usage.

His publication record shows consistent productivity with 46 research outputs documented between 2011 and 2025, including articles, review articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings. The recent publications (2025) demonstrate his leadership in developing international expert consensus on hepatic arterial infusion standards and exploring innovative therapeutic approaches across multiple cancer types.

• Principal Investigator on Feasibility Pilot of Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy for patients with unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases
• Co-Investigator on large-scale Prophylactic Reinforcement of Ventral Abdominal Incisions Trial (PREVENT)
• Contributor to Diversity in Cancer Research initiatives through the Markey STRONG Scholars Program

Dr. Cavnar's work significantly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, with an h-index of 17 and 1352 citations reflecting substantial scholarly impact in surgical oncology. His research bridges clinical practice, technological innovation, and translational science to address critical challenges in cancer treatment.