Vassiliki “Liana” Tsikitis, MD, MCR, FACS, FASCRS

Scott R. Steele, MD, MBA, FACS, FASCRS

Liana Tsikitis is an associate professor of the Department of Surgery and medical director of the Digestive Health Center at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland, OR. Liana is originally from Athens, Greece, and received her undergraduate degree in biology and French literature at the Tufts University in Massachusetts. She then underwent medical school training at the Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, followed by residency at the Brown University in Providence, RI, and fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. In 2011, she took a position as a colorectal surgeon at the OHSU, where she has served and, more recently, in the Division of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery, and, recently, the medical director for the Digestive Health Center. In 2013, she completed her Master in Clinical Research at the Human Investigations Program of the OHSU School of Medicine. Her translational science research focus is based on the understanding of the functional importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the development of precancerous polyps to cancer, and eventually to metastasis. Recently, she published a journal article addressing the role in resetting radiation sensitivity of rectal cancer using a miRNA signature.

Liana is a very busy surgeon and researcher, with her clinical focus in the areas of colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. Yet, she also contributes so much more to OHSU as well as nationally. She serves as the cancer liaison physician, Commission on Cancer, for OHSU since 2011. In addition, she participates in a global colon cancer research project that is a collaborative effort between OHSU and several hospital sites in Thailand. She is also a study reviewer for NIH Center for Scientific Review.

Liana and her husband Steven have one son, Alexander, who challenges them with his nonstop energy and inquisitive nature. When she is not working, Liana enjoys reading mysteries, ballroom dancing, exploring Portland's many excellent culinary options, traveling, and spending time with her family. It has been a pleasure getting to know Liana through the years, and really getting a first-hand opportunity to see her tremendous efforts in training residents, fellows, and presenting her cutting edge research. On behalf of our readers for Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery, I would like to thank her for this tremendous volume on miscellaneous neoplasms of the small bowel, colon, and rectum.