Rodrigo Oliva Perez, MD, PhD

Scott R. Steele, MD, FACS, FASCRS

Dr. Rodrigo Oliva Perez is an Associate Physician in the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery in the Department of Gastroenterology in the School of Medicine at the University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Dr. Perez was born in Sao Paulo and received his medical degree, residency and fellowship training, and doctorate/postdoctorate in medicine at the School of Medicine at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil.

Rodrigo is an acclaimed researcher, who has won several international awards for his research regarding rectal cancer from the SSAT, ASCRS, and DC&R. He has written numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and has been awarded the Impact Paper of the Year from DC&R in 2013 for his work on the “Watch and Wait” protocol for distal rectal cancer. He has traveled the world lecturing on all topics of colorectal surgery, with special emphasis on rectal cancer. He, along with his mentors, are the world leaders in the nonoperative treatment of rectal cancer following neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy—for which he has truly redefined the way we approach this deadly disease. He also serves as an editorial board member for many peer-reviewed medical journals which include Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, Colorectal Disease, Annals of Surgical Oncology, and Techniques in Coloproctology.

Rodrigo is married to Cindy, and they have a son (Guilherme) and two daughters (Carolina and Mariana). When not working, he enjoys playing piano, classical music, traveling, and is an avid marathon runner—having completed races all over the world. On a personal note, Rodrigo is a true friend and an excellent collaborator. He is selfless, hard-working, and a leader in colorectal surgery—redefining the way we treat our patients. On behalf of the readers and the staff of Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery, I would like to thank Dr. Perez for serving as a Guest Editor, and for putting together an all-star volume on the evaluation and treatment of rectal cancer.