Mehran Anvari

Biography

Research interests include both basic science and clinical studies in the fields of gastrointestinal motility and other gastrointestinal disorders, and outcomes research in laparoscopic surgery. The basic work focuses on the role of neurotransmitters in control of gastrointestinal motility. The clinical research focuses on physiological mechanisms responsible for a number of clinical disorders including gastroesophageal reflux disease and achalasia. Other clinical work includes outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer, and in obese patients, as well as telerobotic surgery. Collaborative work includes development of new robotic technologies for laparoscopic surgery and investigations into the feasibility of telerobotic surgery in remote regions and extreme environments. Dr. Mehran Anvari is currently involved in two major prospective randomized trials, one comparing laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery to medical therapy for long term control of GERD and the second comparing laparoscopic and open colectomy for colon cancer. Both trials are nearing completion. Future planned clinical studies include a multicentre trial of laparoscopic vs open surgery for rectal cancer and a local study of the use of pain pumps for analgesia in laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Studies into new robotic technologies are currently in development with the Department of Engineering. Dr. Anvari will also be the Chief Scientific Officer for the NEEMO 10 mission, a joint project between the Centre for Minimal Access Surgery, NASA and the Canadian Space Agency, investigating latency, haptics and telerobotic surgery, and emergency diagnosis and treatment of orthopaedic injuries in extreme environments. Research interests include both basic science and clinical studies in the fields of gastrointestinal motility and other gastrointestinal disorders, and outcomes research in laparoscopic surgery. The basic work focuses on the role of neurotransmitters in control of gastrointestinal motility. The clinical research focuses on physiological mechanisms responsible for a number of clinical disorders including gastroesophageal reflux disease and achalasia. Other clinical work includes outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer, and in obese patients, as well as telerobotic surgery. Collaborative work includes development of new robotic technologies for laparoscopic surgery and investigations into the feasibility of telerobotic surgery in remote regions and extreme environments. Dr. Mehran Anvari is currently involved in two major prospective randomized trials, one comparing laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery to medical therapy for long term control of GERD and the second comparing laparoscopic and open colectomy for colon cancer. Both trials are nearing completion. Future planned clinical studies include a multicentre trial of laparoscopic vs open surgery for rectal cancer and a local study of the use of pain pumps for analgesia in laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Studies into new robotic technologies are currently in development with the Department of Engineering. Dr. Anvari will also be the Chief Scientific Officer for the NEEMO 10 mission, a joint project between the Centre for Minimal Access Surgery, NASA and the Canadian Space Agency, investigating latency, haptics and telerobotic surgery, and emergency diagnosis and treatment of orthopaedic injuries in extreme environments.

Research Interest

Program Area Physiology & Pharmacology