This fall, we’ve entered a season of new energy and new possibilities. We’re thrilled to welcome five outstanding new faculty members whose arrival adds fresh expertise and momentum to a period already marked by major achievements: new grants, national awards and groundbreaking research developments. From launching a multi-institutional effort to improve cancer outcomes to exploring a diabetes drug’s potential in bladder cancer, our teams continue to advance discovery and redefine patient care.

At the same time, we’re investing in the next generation through mentorship, education and collaboration. New initiatives like the robotic bedside certification program and the first-ever Hinman Society Alumni Conference highlight the vitality of our learning community. As we look ahead, I’m inspired by the creativity and commitment that continue to drive UCSF Urology forward.

Benjamin N. Breyer, MD, MAS

Chair and Professor, UCSF Department of Urology
Taube Family Distinguished Professorship in Urology

Introducing New Faculty

We’re thrilled to welcome five new faculty members to the UCSF Department of Urology, bringing expertise across general urology, urologic oncology, trauma and reconstruction, and pediatric urology. Their diverse skills and commitment to exceptional patient care and education strengthen our mission to advance urologic health across the lifespan.

Farnoosh Nik-Ahd, MD

General Urology

Meera R. Chappidi, MD, MPH
Urologic Oncology

Thomas W. Gaither, MD, MAS
Trauma and Reconstruction

On October 16-17, UCSF Urology alumni, faculty, and friends came together in San Francisco for the inaugural Hinman Alumni Society Conference, a milestone event celebrating connection, discovery and our shared legacy. Highlights included department updates, research and clinical presentations, and reflections from past and present leaders on the future of UCSF Urology. The day concluded with a Bay cruise and dinner downtown, where old friends reunited and new connections were made. View photos from the event.

Stay tuned and join us for upcoming Hinman Alumni Society events:

• AUA National Conference - Washington, DC - May 2026
• Celebration of Peter Carroll, MD, MPH - Fall 2026

As he wraps up his final year of residency, Kevin Shee, MD, looks back on the experiences that shaped him, from memorable cases and mentors to lessons learned as a leader. He also shares what’s next after residency and his advice for those just starting out.

“The mentors here don’t just teach you how to be a surgeon, they teach you how to care deeply and lead with humility.”

UCSF is the first university to certify medical students as bedside assistants for robotic surgeries, offering hands-on experience with the technology that’s transforming urology and other surgical specialties. Several of our own urology residents are helping lead and teach in this groundbreaking program, giving the next generation of surgeons a true front-row seat to the future of the field.

Dr. Bowman has been appointed Chair of the Clinical Competency Committee and Confidential Advisor for Residents. Dr. Bowman is leading efforts to make the evaluation process more efficient and meaningful, helping ensure residents receive clear, constructive feedback aligned with their professional milestones. He also serves as a confidential advisor, offering residents an independent and approachable channel for support and feedback. “Dr. Bowman is already bringing thoughtful changes that strengthen how we assess and support our trainees,” said Vice Chair of Education Lindsay Hampson, MD, MS.

A new $12 million SPORE grant from the National Cancer Institute will fund innovative translational research into the biological, environmental, and social drivers of cancer outcomes. The five-year program includes a major focus on prostate cancer, co-led by Urology’s Matthew Cooperberg, MD, MPH, Helen Diller Family Chair in Urology, alongside Franklin Huang, MD, PhD. Their project will explore how genetics, stress, and inflammation interact to drive aggressive disease, and use machine learning to predict which patients are at highest risk.

UCSF researchers have found a novel way to make bladder cancer cells more responsive to CAR T cell therapy—by using an existing class of diabetes medications. In collaboration with Dr. Carissa Chu from the UCSF Department of Urology, the team discovered that thiazolidinediones can enhance expression of NECTIN4, a key CAR T target, in urothelial carcinoma. The findings, published in Nature Communications, pave the way for new combination strategies to improve treatment outcomes for patients with advanced bladder cancer.

UCSF’s Lifetime Congenital Urology Program (LCUP) bridges the gap between pediatric and adult care for patients born with urologic conditions. This multidisciplinary program provides ongoing, specialized care as patients transition into adulthood —ensuring continuity, expertise, and compassion at every stage. By uniting specialists from UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals and UCSF Urology, LCUP helps patients lead fuller, healthier lives with coordinated, lifelong support.

Congratulations to Dr. Michelle Van Kuiken, who has been named the Kutzmann Endowed Professor of Clinical Urology – becoming the first woman to hold this distinguished title. A leader in female pelvic floor reconstruction and complex lower urinary tract dysfunction, Dr. Van Kuiken also serves as Medical Director of Subspecialty Clinics and chairs Faculty Wellbeing. 

Congratulations to David Bayne, MD, MPH who has been awarded a Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23) from the National Institutes of Health. His project uses electronic health record data to identify patients with urinary stone disease at risk for loss to follow-up and develop targeted navigation interventions to prevent care delays.

Finance Manager Ginni Sahni leads the Urology Finance team with deep expertise and an equally deep love for UCSF. “Being in health care and around faculty who are so incredible, smart, and inspiring—that’s my favorite part,” she says. Her team supports every aspect of departmental finance, from grants and reporting to reimbursements and procurement. Outside of work, Ginni enjoys relaxing with cooking shows and dreaming up the dishes she’ll make someday. “I’ve been here a long time,” she adds. “My husband used to work at UCSF, and my son was born here. This place is my second home.”

Thank you for being part of the UCSF Urology community. We’re proud to share the work of our faculty, learners, and staff – and even prouder of the impact it has on the lives of our patients and the field of urology.

Have a story, highlight or accomplishment you'd like to share in a future issue? Email us at Rebecca.Wolfson@ucsf.edu.

Until next time,

The UCSF Department of Urology