Silas M. Chikunguwo, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, VCU Dept of Surgery, Division of General Surgery; Laparoscopic Surgeon, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, VCU Medical Center

Address:
P.O. Box 980519, Richmond, VA 23298-0519

Principal hospital base:
VCU Medical Center

Current professional and academic appointments:
Assistant Professor of Surgery, 2008

Education and Fellowships:
Clinical Surgical Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
Advanced Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery

Clinical Research Fellowship Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
Pathophysiology of morbid obesity

Residency: The Brooklyn Hospital Center ( Cornell Univ. affiliate), New York.
Residency: UMDNJ/Robert Wood Johnson University, Camden, NJ.
Internship: UMDNJ/Robert Wood Johnson University, Camden, NJ

Medical School (MD degree): Howard Univ. College of Medicine, Washington, DC
Other Education: Post-doctoral Research Fellowship: Harvard University
Other Education: PhD degree: Tufts University, Boston, MA
Other Education: MSc degree: Univ. of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe, Harare
Other Education: BSc degree: University of London, London, UK

Role in Residency Training:
Dr. Chikunguwo participates in clinical teaching of PGYs I-V and Fellows in and out of the operating room in addition to offering research opportunities in gastrointestinal physiology and pathophysiology of obesity.

Licensure:
Virginia, New York

Research interests:
Pathophysiology of morbid obesity and elucidation of biological determinants that determine long-term weight loss following bariatric surgery.

Professional Memberships:
American College of Surgeons
American Medical Association
American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
American Society of Clinical Pathologists

Honors and Awards:

°	Golden Apple Teaching Award (2002), UMDNJ/Cooper Hospital University Medical Center, Camden, NJ. Awarded for excellence in teaching General Surgery to Interns and Medical Students.
°	1st Place Bioethics Award (2000). Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC. Awarded for the best research paper on “Ethical Dilemmas Associated with Advances in Genetic Therapy.
°	DR. Nweri Financial Award (2000), Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC. Awarded for determination and perseverance.
°	American Society of Clinical Pathologists Research Fellowship Award (1997), St. Elizabeth Hospital, Boston, MA. Awarded for top performance in Pathology.
°	New England Biolabs Research Fellowship Award (1994), Harvard University, Boston, MA.
°	World Health Organization Research Trainship (1992), Harvard University, Boston, MA.
°	United States Agency of International Development Fellowship Award (1987).
°	British Government Scholarship Award (1983), University of London, London, UK.

Specialties in Diseases and Conditions:
Obesity
Gallbladder disease
Gallstones
Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)
Hernia-Umbilical
Hiatal Hernia
Inguinal Hernia
Achalasia
Barrett’s Esophagus
Gastritis
Gastroenteritis
Intestinal Ischemic Syndrome
Intussusception
Pancreatitis and other pancreatic diseases
Small Intestinal Cancer
Stomach Cancer
GI Bleeding
Gastroparesis
Peptic ulcer diseases

Specialties in Clinical Services:
Bariatric Surgery for severe obesity
Bariatric Surgery
Diagnostic laparoscopy
Endoscopy
Gastric bypass Surgery for Weight loss
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric pace maker
GERD Surgery
Laparoscopic Antireflux Surgery
Laparoscpic lymph node biopsy
Laparoscopic splenectomy
Laparoscopic Surgery for Digestive Diseases
Laparoscopic Surgery
LAP-BAND
Minimally Invasive Surgery for Achalasia
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy, PEG
Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery
Gastrectomy
Appendectomy
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Laparoscopic pancreatectomy
Laparoscopic colectomy
Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery
Single Port Surgery

Publications:
Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications:
1) Chikunguwo, SM, Wolfe, LG, Kellum, JM , Meador, JG, Dodson, PW and Maher, JW. (2009). Long-term diabetes type 2 resolution or recurrence after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is associated with weight loss or regain respectively. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases ( Manuscript in preparation).

2) Chikunguwo, SM, Brethauer, SA, Chand, B and Schauer, PR (2009). Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery Induced weight loss enhances the specific immune system. J. Clinical Immunology (Manuscript in preparation).

3) Pitt, T, Brethauer, S, Chikunguwo, SM and Schauer, PR (2008). Diagnostic Laparoscopy for chronic abdominal pain after gastric bypass. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 4(3):394-8.

4) Chikunguwo, SM , Brethauer, SA, Chand, B and Schauer PR (2007). Influence of obesity and surgical weight loss on thyroid hormone levels. Surg Obes Relat Dis, 3: 631-635.

5) Bellavance, E, Eydelman, R, Hadeed, J, Chikunguwo, SM, Alexander, J and Ierardi, R (2004). Heat shock protein 60 and 70 expression is related to carotid plaque stability. Journal of the AmericanCollege of Surgeons 199(3):104 .

6) Vemulapalli, P, Chikunguwo, SM, Albaugh, G, Alexander, J and Ierardi, R (2003). Heat shock Protein 60 & 70 expression: a characteristic of carotid plaque instability. Journal of Surgical Research 114(2):296 .

7) Harn, DA, Reynolds, SR, Chikunguwo, SM and Furlong, S (1998). Peptide and DNA vaccines for Schistosomiasis, and discovery of a novel adjuvant that promote antibody responses. Parasitology International 47(1): 14 .

8) Ham D, Reynolds S, Chikunguwo SM et al. Sm23 DNA vaccine for Schistosoma mansoni. Vaccine 1997; 15:74

9) Harn, DA, Reynolds, SR, Chikunguwo, SM and Furlong, S (1995). Synthetic Peptide vaccines for Schistosomiasis. Pharm. Biotechnol. 6:891 .

10) Pedro, OF, Chikunguwo, SM, Harris, TS and Stadecker, MJ (1993). The role of IL-10 on Antigen Presenting Function for Schistosomal Egg Antigen specific monoclonal T-Helper cell responses in vivo and in vitro. J. Immunol. 151(6): 3192-8 .

11) Chikunguwo, SM, Quinn, JJ, Harn, DA and Stadecker, MJ (1993). The cell mediated responses to schistosomal antigens at the clonal level. Identification of soluble egg antigens recognized by clonal specific granulomagenic murine CD4+ Th1 Lymphocytes. J Immunol 150(4): 1413-21 .

12) Chikunguwo, SM, Harris, TS, Brodeur, P, Harn, DA and Stadecker, MJ (1992). The cell mediated immune responses to schistosomal antigens at the clonal level. Characterization of egg antigen-specific murine T cell clones. European J Immunol 22(4): 917-22 .

13) Potamianos, S, Chikunguwo, SM, Mason, PR and Read, JS (1992). Lysis of Erythrocytes by Trichomonas Vaginalis. BioScience Reports 12(5): 387-95.

14) Kanazawa, T, Chikunguwo, SM, Harris, TS and Stadecker, MJ (1992). Schistosoma Mansoni: Larvacidal properties of macrophages induced by cloned murine egg antigen-specific CD4+ Th1 helper T cells. J Immunol 14(3): 279-93.

15) Chikunguwo, SM, Kanazawa, T and Stadecker, MJ (1991). The cell mediated responses to schistosomal antigens at the clonal level: In vivo functions of clonal murine egg-antigen-specific CD4+ T helper type-1 cells. J Immunol 147(11): 392-5.  

16) Stadecker MJ, Kamisato JK, Chikunguwo SM (1990). Induction of T helper cell unresponsiveness to antigens by macrophage from schistosomal egg granulomas. A basis for immunomodulation in schistosomiasis? J Immunol 145(8):2697-2700.

Journal Abstracts:
1) Chikunguwo, SM, Brethauer, SA, Pitt, T, Schauer, PR and Chand, BP (2008). What is the ideal location of a gastrotomy? Surgical Endoscopy, 22(1)-Suppl.1: 186.

2) Chikunguwo, SM , Brethauer, SA, Pitt, T, Schauer, PR and Chand, BP (2008). Histological aspects of the healing of a gastrotomy in different gastric regions. Surgical Endoscopy, 22(1)-Sppl. 1: 198.

3) Gatmaitan, P, Ramy Fouad, Pitt, T, Chikunguwo, SM, Schauer, PR; Chand, BP and Brethauer, SA (2008). Endoscopic Transgastric peritoneoscopy for intestinal ischemia in a porcine model. Surgical Endoscopy, 22(1)-suppl.1: 195

4) Chikunguwo, SM, Brethauer, SA, Chand, B and Schauer, PR (2007). Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery Induced weight loss enhances the specific immune system. Surgical Endoscopy, 21(1):378.

5) Chikunguwo, SM, Chand, B and Schauer, PR (2007). Influence of obesity and surgical weight loss on thyroid hormones. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 3(3):291.

6) Pitt, T, Brethauer, S, Chikunguwo, SM and Schauer, PR (2007). Diagnostic Laparoscopy for chronic abdominal pain after gastric bypass. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 3(3):296.

7) Pitt, T, Brethauer, S, Udomsawaengsup, S, Chikunguwo, SM, Chan, B and Rosenblatt, S (2007). Obesity does not adversely affect outcomes after laparoscopic splenectomy. Surgical Endoscopy. 21(1):479.

8) Suthep Udomsawaengsup, Brethauer, S, Landers, J, Chikunguwo, SM, Schauer, PR and Chand, B (2007). Laparoscopic Adjustable band pressure measurements as a potential tool to optimize restriction. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 3(3):296.

9) Suthep Udomsawaengsup, Brethauer, S, Landers, J, Chikunguwo, SM, Schauer, PR and Chand, B (2007). Endoscopic findings in patients with weight regain after gastric bypass. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 3(3):300.

10) Nirujogi, V, Ballem, N, Chikunguwo, SM, Chand, B and Schauer, PR (2007). Insurance coverage for bariatric surgery. Who gets denied and why? Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, 3(3):333.

11) Chikunguwo, SM, Aish, L and Burstein, N (1998). Proliferative Activity of Fallopian tube Carcinoma. New England Cancer Society Bulletin, 112 th Meeting, Worcester, MA, page 49 .

Video Publications
1) Suthep Udomsawaengsup, MD; Jeffrey Landers, MD; Stacy Brethauer, MD; Tracy Pitt, DO; Silas Chikunguwoo, MD; Valentine Nfonsam, MD; Bipan Chand, MD (2007). Percutaneous Transesophageal Gastrostomy (PTEG): A Safe and Effective Technique for Gastrointestinal Decompression in Malignant Obstruction and Massive Ascites

Research Thesis Dissertation Publications
1) Chikunguwo, SM (1992). Characterization of granuloma inducing antigens using T cell clones as probe. PhD Thesis in Immunology. TuftsUniversity, Boston, MA.

2) Chikunguwo, SM (1987). Elucidation of the mechanisms of Pathogenesis of Trichomonas Vaginalis. MSc Thesis in Biochemistry/Immunochemistry. University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Book Chapters
1) Chikunguwo, SM, Brethauer, S, Pitt, T and Schauer, P (2007). Companion Book to Schauer, Schirmer and Brethauer Textbook of “Minimally Invasive Bariatric Surgery.”

2) Chikunguwo, SM, Brethauer, SA and Schauer, PR (2006). Book Chapter 53; “ Bariatric Surgery” to General Surgery: Principles and International Practice. Edited by K.I Bland, M.W. Buchler, A. Csendes, O.J Garden , and MG Sarr; published by Springer.

3) Harn, DA, Reynolds, SR, Chikunguwo, SM, and Furlong, S (1995). Synthetic Peptides vaccines for Schistosomiasis. Book Chapter: In M.F. Powel and Newman(Ed), Vaccine Design: The Subunit and Adjuvant Approach. Plenum Press, New York, NY, page 891-905.  

Presentations at National and International Scientific Meetings
(Oral and Poster Presentations)
1) Chikunguwo, SM, Wolfe, LG, Kellum, JM, Meador, JG, Dodson, PW and Maher, JW(2009).Long-term Diabetes type 2 resolution or recurrence after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass associated with weight loss or regain respectively. 26 th ASMBS Annual Meeting, Grapevine, Texax, June 21-26, 2009 (Accepted for presentation).

2) Chikunguwo, SM (2008). What is the ideal location and standard size of a gastrotomy? 11 th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery. Yokohama , Japan , September 2-5, 2008 .

3) Chikunguwo, SM (2008). Histological aspects of the healing of a gastrotomy in different gastric regions. 11 th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery. Yokohama , Japan , September 2-5, 2008 .

4) Sameera Daud, HLa Win, Sangeeta Kashyap, John P. Kirwan, Silas M. Chikunguwo and Philip Schauer (2008). Improved Insulin Secretion Immediately after Bariatric Surgery is specific to {Roux-en-Y (RNYGB) not Gastric Restrictive(GR)Surgery. American Diabetic Association, 68 th Scientific Session, June 6-10, 2008; San Francisco, CA.

5) Chikunguwo, SM (2008). What is the ideal location and standard size of a gastrotomy? Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. 2008 Scientific Session; Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , USA , 9-12 April, 2008.

6) Chikunguwo, SM (2008). Histological Aspects of the healing of a gastrotomy in different gastric regions. Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. 2008 Scientific Session; Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , USA , 9-12 April, 2008.

7) Chikunguwo, SM (2007). Influence of Obesity and Bariatric Surgery on Thyroid Hormones. Nominated one of TOP 4 Papers. American Society of Bariatric Surgery 24th Annual Meeting, page 291, San Diego, CA.  

8) Chikunguwo, SM (2007). Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery Induced weight loss enhances the specific immune system. Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. Page 378, Las Vegas , NV .

9) Vemulapalli, P and Chikunguwo, SM (2007). Heat Shock Proteins 60&70: A Characteristic of Carotid Plaque Stability. Association of Academic Surgeons (2003). Annual Meeting: Abstract #570, November 13-15, Sacramento , CA .

10) Chikunguwo, SM , Aish, L and Burstein, N. (1998). Proliferative Activity of Fallopian Tube Adenocarcinoma. University of Mass. Medical Center . The New England Cancer Society, 112th Annual Fall Program, pg 49, Worcester , MA .

11) Chikunguwo, SM , Wang, DZ, Yao , F, Skelly, P, Shoemaker, C and Harn, DA. (1996). Single DNA Vaccine for Schistosomiasis. 5th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Abstract #88, Baltimore , MD.

12) Harn D, Chikunguwo SM, Skelly P, et al. Synthetic peptides and DNA vaccines for schistosomiasis and Schistosoma japonicum. Network Molecular Biology & Vaccine Meeting, 20-22, August, 1996.Manila, Philippines .

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