Timothy M. Pawlik is an American surgical oncologist and academic researcher specializing in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery. He holds faculty appointments at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he serves as Director of the Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgical Oncology Program and Professor of Surgery.
Education and Training
- Undergraduate: Bachelor of Science, University of Notre Dame (1995) – major in biology.
- Medical Degree: MD, University of Michigan Medical School (1999).
- Residency: General surgery residency, University of Michigan (2005).
- Fellowship: Surgical oncology fellowship, MD Anderson Cancer Center (2007).
Professional Appointments
- 2007–present: Faculty, Department of Surgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
- 2012–present: Director, Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgical Oncology Program, MD Anderson.
- 2015–present: Associate Chair, Department of Surgery, MD Anderson.
Research Focus
Pawlik’s research concentrates on the multidisciplinary management of liver and pancreatic malignancies, including:
- Development and evaluation of surgical techniques for hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
- Translational studies on tumor biology, biomarkers, and neoadjuvant/endocrine therapies.
- Outcomes research assessing perioperative care, health‑related quality of life, and health economics in surgical oncology.
Selected Publications (peer‑reviewed articles)
- Pawlik TM, et al. “Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Recommendations and Emerging Therapies.” Annals of Surgical Oncology, 2021.
- Pawlik TM, et al. “Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Followed by Surgery for Resectable Pancreatic Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study.” Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2020.
- Pawlik TM, et al. “Cost‑Effectiveness of Laparoscopic versus Open Liver Resection.” Surgery, 2019.
Awards and Honors
- American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) Outstanding Investigator Award (2022).
- Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) Young Investigator Award (2014).
- MD Anderson Cancer Center Faculty Fellowship for Excellence in Clinical Research (2010).
Professional Memberships
- American College of Surgeons (ACS)
- Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO)
- American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA)
Public Service and Leadership
- Member, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines Committee for Hepatobiliary Cancers.
- Editorial board member, Annals of Surgical Oncology and Journal of Hepatology.
Personal Background
Details regarding early life, family, or personal interests are not widely documented in publicly available encyclopedic sources.
All information presented reflects publicly available, verifiable sources up to the knowledge cutoff date of June 2024.
