The University of Louisville School of Medicine, the Hiram C. Polk, Jr., MD, Department of Surgery, and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology are proud to announce that Neal Bhutiani, Jewish Hospital Distinguished Professor of Cancer Immunology and assistant professor of surgery and microbiology and immunology, has been selected to receive the American Surgical Association (ASA) Foundation Fellowship Research Award for 2026–2028. 

Widely regarded as the most prestigious career development award in all of surgery, the ASA Foundation Fellowship Research Award supports exceptional early-career surgeon-scientists whose work has the potential to transform patient care and advance the field of surgery. 

Bhutiani was selected for his proposal, “Leveraging the IL17-γδT-Neutrophil Axis to Improve Immunotherapy in Colorectal Cancer,” a project that seeks to address one of the most significant limitations of current cancer immunotherapy. While immunotherapy has revolutionized treatment for many cancers, it remains ineffective for approximately 85-90% of patients with colorectal cancer.   

"The proposed work looks to increase immunotherapy efficacy in many patients with colorectal cancer by identifying and exploiting pathways involved in limiting current immune checkpoint blockade efficacy, " Bhutiani said. "If successful, this could represent a significant advance of treatment for these patients." 

By deepening scientific understanding of immune pathways that influence treatment response, Bhutiani's research aims to open a new frontier in colorectal cancer care – one that could expand immunotherapy to a much broader patient population. In the longer term, this work could allow many patients to avoid the toxicities associated with conventional chemotherapy, significantly improving quality of life.  

Funding for the two-year fellowship, $75,000 per year beginning July 1, 2026, will support both laboratory-based research and analysis of patient samples to evaluate the mechanisms behind a proposed combination immunotherapy strategy. The award also provides structured mentorship and national visibility that are critical to advancing this work.   

"This award provides strong support for continuing ongoing preclinical work as well as patient sample analysis," Bhutiani said. "The funding and mentorship supported by the award are critical pieces that allow me to successfully complete the proposed work. It also offers the opportunity to highlight this research to members of the American Surgical Association, some of the most esteemed and influential surgeons in the United States." 

As part of the award, he will also present his findings at the 148th ASA Annual Meeting in April 2028. 

“This recognition reflects not only Dr. Bhutiani’s outstanding promise as a surgeon-scientist but also the strength of our department’s commitment to advancing innovative cancer research,” said Kelly M. McMasters, Ben A. Reid, Sr., MD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery. “We are incredibly proud of this achievement.” 

Bhutiani holds appointments in the Divisions of Surgical Oncology, Colon and Rectal Surgery, and Immunotherapy, has a joint appointment in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and is a key contributor to UofL’s growing emphasis on translational cancer research. 

He credits UofL's collaborative research environment as a key factor in the success of his work.  

"The current research environment at UofL is very collaborative and focused on supporting early-career investigators while building strong teams of researchers with complementary interests," Bhutiani said. "This culture of team science has resulted in grant funding and high-impact publications, and this award strengthens connections among researchers at UofL and the Brown Cancer Center." 

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Bhutiani on this remarkable honor and in celebrating the continued rise of surgical science at UofL as it pushes into new frontiers in medicine.