Lyen C. Huang

Dr. Lyen C. Huang is a tenured Associate Professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery at the University of Utah's Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, with an adjunct appointment in Population Health Sciences. He specializes in complex minimally-invasive (laparoscopic/robotic) surgery for colorectal cancers, inflammatory bowel disease, and diverticulitis at Huntsman Cancer Institute and University of Utah Hospital.

His educational background includes:

• B.S. in Symbolic Systems (minor in Political Science) from Stanford University
• M.D. from Stanford University School of Medicine
• M.P.H. from University of Cape Town
• General Surgery residency at Stanford University
• Colon and Rectal Surgery fellowship at Mayo Clinic

Dr. Huang's research centers on implementation science to optimize peri-operative opioid stewardship through behavior change interventions, dissemination of quality/safety initiatives in rural healthcare systems, and improving cancer survivorship outcomes. His work specifically targets disparities in frontier and underserved communities, with significant contributions to NCCN colorectal cancer screening guidelines.

His 15 most recent publications (2022-2024) reveal a dominant focus on opioid management (70% of articles), examining prescribing practices, disposal interventions, and trainee education, while also advancing global surgery capacity in Ghana/Cambodia and colorectal cancer epidemiology through physical activity/microbiome studies.

Key scientific recognitions include:

• NIH K23 award from NIDA/HEAL Initiative
• University of Utah CTSI KL2 Career Development Scholar
• Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS)
• Fellow of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (FASCRS)

Dr. Huang actively mentors medical students and surgical trainees (evident in 12/15 recent publications where mentees are acknowledged), leads NIH-funded opioid stewardship research, and directs global colorectal training programs. He serves as clinical advisor to the Utah Data Coordinating Center and co-leader of the Huntsman Cancer Institute Colorectal Cancer Research Group.

He directs colorectal surgery training initiatives in Ghana and Cambodia through the University of Utah Center for Global Surgery, serves on the Annals of Surgery Open editorial board, and contributes to NCCN Colorectal Cancer Screening guidelines. His institutional roles include associate member of the HCI Cancer Control and Population Sciences program and membership in SAAS, AAS, and ASCRS.