Nita Ahuja

Nita Ahuja is a prominent surgeon and oncologist known for her contributions to the field of surgical oncology. She is currently the Chair of the Department of Surgery at Yale School of Medicine and the Chief of Surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Early Life and Education

Nita Ahuja was born in India and later moved to the United States for her higher education. She completed her undergraduate studies at Duke University, where she earned a degree in biomedical engineering. She then attended the Duke University School of Medicine to obtain her MD degree. Following medical school, she completed her residency in general surgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Career

After completing her residency, Ahuja joined the faculty at Johns Hopkins University where she quickly rose through the ranks. She became a Professor of Surgery and Oncology and was also the Director of the Sarcoma and Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Program. Her research primarily focuses on the epigenetic alterations in cancer and the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

In 2018, Nita Ahuja was appointed as the Chair of the Department of Surgery at Yale School of Medicine, making her the first woman to hold this position. She also serves as the Chief of Surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Research and Contributions

Ahuja's research has significantly advanced the understanding of epigenetics in cancer. She has published numerous articles in leading medical journals and has been involved in several clinical trials aimed at improving cancer treatment. Her work has been recognized with various awards and honors, including the American Surgical Association's Flance-Karl Award.

Personal Life

Nita Ahuja is married and has two children. She is actively involved in mentoring young surgeons and researchers, particularly women and underrepresented minorities in medicine.

See Also

• Yale School of Medicine
• Yale New Haven Hospital
• Johns Hopkins Hospital
• Surgical oncology
• Epigenetics