Matthew Hartwig

Dr. Matthew Hartwig is a Professor of Surgery and Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Duke University, serving as Surgical Director of the Duke Lung Transplant Program and Esophageal Center. He directs the Surgical Office of Clinical Research for the Department of Surgery, leads the Duke Ex Vivo Organ Laboratory (DEVOL), and holds faculty status at the Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI). His clinical expertise centers on lung transplantation and robotic-assisted minimally invasive thoracic surgery for complex chest diseases.

Education:

• M.D. from Duke University (2001)
• Intern, Duke University (2001-2002)
• Junior Assistant Resident, Duke University (2002-2003)
• Research Fellow, Duke University (2003-2005)
• Senior Assistant Resident, Duke University (2005-2007)
• Chief Resident, Duke University (2007-2008)
• Resident, Duke University (2008-2010)
• Chief Resident, Duke University (2010-2011)

His research spans clinical, basic and translational domains with heavy emphasis on ex vivo lung perfusion, donor lung expansion strategies, and robotic surgical innovation. Key investigations include primary graft dysfunction mechanisms, donation after circulatory death (DCD) lung utilization barriers, and novel immunomodulation techniques during organ preservation. He actively addresses allocation equity issues like blood type bias and height disparities through registry analyses and expert consensus initiatives.

Recent publications reveal a trajectory toward optimizing marginal organ use via ex vivo perfusion systems and robotic platforms, while critically evaluating policy impacts on transplant access. His work bridges preclinical gene therapy (e.g., PD-L1 transduction in rodent models) with real-world registry data (UNOS, TOP, NOVEL) to tackle financial toxicity, gastroesophageal reflux controversies, and pandemic-era donor risks. Multi-center collaborations dominate his scholarship, reflecting leadership in national transplant research networks.

Dr. Hartwig mentors pre- and post-doctoral trainees who now lead independent research careers. He serves on NIH study sections, chairs national meeting sessions, and contributes to editorial boards of journals including the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation and American Journal of Transplantation, demonstrating his role in shaping research standards and clinical discourse.

He directs the Duke Ex Vivo Organ Laboratory (DEVOL), which pioneers normothermic perfusion techniques and gene therapy delivery during organ preservation. The lab collaborates through the TOP Registry and international consortia to validate scoring systems for donor lungs and improve outcomes for extended-criteria donors, maintaining Duke's leadership in transplantation innovation.