About

Professor Po-Chun Hsu is an Assistant Professor at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago and also holds an Assistant Professorship in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at Duke University. He earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University and his B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from National Tsing Hua University. Professor Hsu leads the Hsu Group, which is based in the Kovler Lab at the University of Chicago. His research group includes postdoctoral researchers, Ph.D. students, visiting scholars, and undergraduate students, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to molecular engineering and materials science. Professor Hsu has been recognized with awards such as the EcoMat Young Researcher Award and the Falling Walls Science Summit award, highlighting his contributions to the field. His group’s work has been featured in various news outlets and research highlights, demonstrating active engagement in advancing materials science and engineering research.

Research topics

• Biology
• Genetics
• Cancer research
• Cell biology
• Computational biology
• Pathology
• Chemistry
• Medicine
• Bioinformatics
• Molecular biology
• Immunology

Selected publications

• Locally developed low-cost simulator for manual reduction of pediatric inguinal hernia in Rwanda

  Journal of Pediatric Surgery · 2026-01-01

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Designing a Global Surgery Ethics Course Outline: A Learners’ Proposal

  Journal of Global Surgery (ONE) · 2026-01-25

  articleOpen access

  Background: Global surgery (GS) is an effort to ensure that everyone in need of surgery has equitable access to timely, affordable, and high-quality surgical care. While equity and ethics are fundamental tenets of GS that are crucial in resolving systematic injustices, academic training frequently pays little attention to ethical issues. This paper is written to identify and provide an overview of implementation challenges of ethical principles, advocate for, and propose a standardized GS ethics course framework. Methods: We used a deliberative consensus-building approach that followed an immersive session in ethics in GS. There were nine participants during the deliberation who represented diverse Sub-Saharan countries. A process evaluation framework was used to thoroughly evaluate the deliberation process and ensure consistency of findings with discussions. Result: The deliberative consensus-building approach identified four main themes that represent key difficulties in the application of ethical standards in global surgery. These include (1) donation of medical equipment, (2) short-term medical missions, (3) collaborative research, and (4) special circumstances that involve humanitarian assistance. We suggest a standardized global surgery ethics course framework that incorporates theoretical frameworks, real-world problems, and useful tools for making decisions to solve these issues. Discussion: The results of this study identified four main challenges in ethical global surgery practice. The authors believe that a structured discussion around these crucial challenges in the field of GS will yield a more organized and shared approach to the challenges. The proposed curricula will enable healthcare professionals, legislators, and organizations to uphold ethical principles in GS practice and education. It offers a framework to direct future GS programs and seeks to promote inclusive discourse, enhance equity in care, and guarantee ethical decision-making.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Establishing gastroschisis care: impact of pediatric surgical services and a dedicated neonatal surgical unit on survival of gastroschisis in Rwanda

  Journal of Pediatric Surgery · 2026-03-25

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  INTRODUCTION: Gastroschisis has historically been fatal in resource-limited settings, where lack of prenatal diagnosis, surgical neonatal care, and parenteral nutrition challenge replication of western care paradigms. We present a Rwandan tertiary center's experience managing gastroschisis and outcomes before and after opening a neonatal surgical unit. METHODS: Patients with gastroschisis admitted to the main referral hospital in Rwanda were included. A neonatal surgery unit opened 3/2020. Data was collected from 1/2016-8/2022. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate statistics were performed. RESULTS: 338 patients with gastroschisis were studied. Incidence was estimated at 3.8/10,000 live births. 30.2% of patients survived, with mean length of stay of 28.6 (IQR 21-32) days. Survivors, compared to those who died, were born at older gestational age, had lower rates of complex gastroschisis, were more likely to undergo abdominal closure, and had enteral feeds started earlier. Survival was seen at gestational ages as young as 30 weeks and with birth weights as low as 1.5 kg. After opening a neonatal surgical unit, gastroschisis admissions increased 2.6-fold, and survival appeared to increase (22.8% vs. 32.9%, p = 0.076). CONCLUSION: Through development of pediatric surgical capacity and systems changes, gastroschisis is survivable in an LMIC setting. Establishment of a neonatal surgical unit was associated with the ability to handle higher volumes of gastroschisis patients, with consistent and improving outcomes. Challenges include treatment of complicated patients, including those with complex gastroschisis. Ongoing experience and prospective data collection will guide initiatives to improve gastroschisis outcomes in Rwanda and support innovation for neonatal care in resource-limited settings.

  PublisherDOI

• Neighborhood deprivation is associated with longer hospital stay for common pediatric surgical procedures independent of complication rates

  The American Journal of Surgery · 2025-12-09

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Discovery of circulating cell-free DNA 5hmC biomarkers for peritoneal metastasis in colorectal and appendiceal cancer

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025-09-21

  preprintOpen access

  Abstract Introduction Peritoneal metastases (PM) are associated with poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) or appendiceal adenocarcinoma (AA), yet detection of PM is unreliable using current circulating DNA technology. Leveraging novel 5hmC-seal technology to detect ultra-low amounts of DNA in plasma, we demonstrate the feasibility of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) signatures derived from circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as biomarkers for PM. Methods Using a highly sensitive and robust 5hmC sequencing approach on genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood samples, we developed predictive models to identify biomarkers for peritoneal metastases. Results We obtained genome-wide 5hmC profiles from 71 CRC/AA patients with PM, 41 without PM, and 73 non-cancer controls. Predictive models trained on genomic region 5hmC levels in patients with cancer could distinguish PM status with high sensitivity and moderate specificity (AUC 0.827, sensitivity 92.4%, specificity 46.1%). Pathway enrichment analysis identified epigenetically dysregulated cancer, cell migration, adhesion, and immune-related pathways in PM. Conclusion Novel 5hmC-Seal technology based 5hmC signatures can detect patients with peritoneal metastases from CRC and AA, albeit with reduced specificity. This study lays a foundation for future clinical assay development for PM. Statement of significance We demonstrate high-sensitivity detection of peritoneal metastasis in colorectal and appendiceal adenocarcinomas using 5hmC-Seal of plasma cfDNA. Earlier detection of this condition could expand curative treatments in ∼20,000 affected U.S. patients.

  PublisherDOI

• First Line of Childrens’ Surgical Care: Assessing Initial Management of Pediatric Surgical Conditions by General Practitioners in Rwanda

  East and Central African journal of surgery · 2025-12-31

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Background Over the past decade, the development of pediatric surgical services in Rwanda has resulted in improved survival of previously fatal conditions. Because the Rwandan health model relies on a decentralized approach, children with surgical conditions are often first evaluated by general practitioners (GPs) at rural district hospitals prior to definitive transfer. Understanding knowledge gaps in the diagnosis, stabilization, and transfer of children with surgical conditions is essential to improve initial management. This study assesses modifiable knowledge gaps in GPs across Rwanda. Methods A needs assessment was developed to identify demographics and practice patterns in the care of 9 prioritized pediatric surgical conditions, as identified by a previously conducted Delphi process. GPs at 5 district and regional hospitals completed the survey via REDCap. Demographics, attitudes, and knowledge were analyzed using RStudio v1.1.4. Results Ninety-two physicians with heterogeneous experience participated (105 invited, 88% response rate). Transfers occurred due to need for specialist management, lack of equipment, and knowledge. Common barriers included unavailability of beds at referral hospitals and cost. Challenges in specific knowledge were cited by 63%–84%. Common conditions were correctly diagnosed by 78%–94% of participants, though 45.7% of participants incorrectly diagnosed at least one condition. Few participants (0%–25%) correctly answered questions assessing initial management. The decision and timing of transfer varied; a minority indicated that their hospital’s general surgery team could provide definitive treatment for select conditions. Conclusions As pediatric surgical capacity improves, timely and safe transfer is critical to improve outcomes. Knowledge gaps exist in the diagnosis, stabilization, and transfer of children with surgical conditions among GPs in Rwanda, marking an opportunity for directed training.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Overcoming Political Upheaval to Deliver Pediatric Surgical Care in Afghanistan: Prospective Analysis of the First 1,000 Procedures

  Journal of the American College of Surgeons · 2025-02-10 · 4 citations

  article

  BACKGROUND: Pediatric surgical care is limited in Afghanistan. Few details are known about the state of pediatric surgery in Afghanistan. We explore the impact of a newly installed pediatric operating room by a children's charity on the provision of pediatric surgery in Afghanistan. STUDY DESIGN: After the opening of the new Kids Operating Room at Ataturk Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, in March 2023, perioperative clinical data were prospectively collected until December 2023. All children (younger than 14 years of age) undergoing surgical procedures were included in a Research Electronic Data Capture database, and descriptive analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 1,014 operations were performed during the study period. Seventy-three percent of the patients were from Kabul Province, and 80% were male. Thirty-four percent of the operations were emergencies. Mean age was 6.5 years. Patients who received elective surgery were, on average, younger (age 5.2 years) compared with those who received emergency surgery (age 7.6 years [p < 0.0001]). The most common emergent diagnoses were appendicitis (52%), intussusception (9%), genitourinary pathologies (8.7%), and neurosurgical trauma (6.1%). The most common elective cases were hernias 27%, undescended testes (18%), hypospadias/epispadias (9%), urinary tract stones (8%), hydrocele/spermatocele/varicocele (7%), gastrointestinal pathologies (7%), and neurosurgical disorders (6%). The most frequent procedures were appendectomy (18%), inguinal hernia repair (17%), and orchidopexy (13%). The rates of mortality and infectious complication were both 0.3%. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest study on the provision of pediatric surgical care in Afghanistan, demonstrating the successful implementation of infrastructure for surgical capacity in a low-resource setting with a complex political status. Future efforts to quantify the burden of untreated pediatric surgical disease in this setting should assist advocacy efforts toward resource allocation and public health initiatives.

  PublisherDOI

• Strengthening pediatric surgical readiness: outcomes of a needs-directed short course for non-specialist physicians in Rwanda

  BMC Surgery · 2025-11-17

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  INTRODUCTION: Although the recent expansion of pediatric surgical services in Rwanda has improved patient outcomes, pediatric surgery specialists are available only at referral hospitals. Children with surgical conditions are often first evaluated by non-specialist physicians at district or regional hospitals prior to definitive transfer. Knowledge gaps exist in the initial management of pediatric surgical conditions among non-specialist physicians. This study assesses the impact of a needs-directed short course for non-specialist physicians in Rwanda. METHODS: Nine prioritized pediatric surgical conditions were identified through an expert-led modified two-stage Delphi. Course content was created to fill knowledge gaps, determined through a needs assessment. Pediatric surgeons and local trainees delivered the course to non-specialist physicians at five district and regional hospitals. Participant reactions and knowledge were analyzed using RStudiov1.1.4, and thematic analysis was performed on free text responses. RESULTS: Fifty-nine non-specialist physicians with heterogeneous experience participated. Participants rated the course highly, and self-rated knowledge and confidence increased on all conditions. Overall knowledge-based scores and initial management for all conditions improved substantially. More participants indicated that they knew how to contact a member of the pediatric surgical team after the course. Positive themes included acquisition of knowledge that was relevant to practice, effective course execution, and the interactive nature of the course. Themes for improvement centered on desire for more content and course availability. CONCLUSIONS: As pediatric surgical capacity improves, safe initial management is critical. A novel, needs-directed short course for non-specialist physicians appears to be an effective way to address knowledge gaps and improve the referral process through direct connection with specialists. Providing such a course on a regular basis to senior medical students and new graduates is a promising avenue to improving the provision of safe, timely pediatric surgical care.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The effect of neighborhood deprivation on access to surgical care for pediatric renal tumors

  Pediatric Surgery International · 2025-11-17 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  OBJECTIVES: Early identification of pediatric renal tumors improves outcomes. Neighborhood deprivation, a composite measure of social determinants of health, is associated with poor oncological outcomes. We studied whether neighborhood deprivation influenced metastatic presentation or treatment approach. STUDY DESIGN: Using State Inpatient Databases (SID), we studied children admitted for nephrectomy for a renal tumor in 15 states (2013-2021). Neighborhood deprivation was measured using the Child Opportunity Index 3.0 (COI). Using univariate and multivariate analyses, we examined whether patients presented with metastatic disease and whether they underwent upfront nephrectomy versus nephrectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (delayed nephrectomy). RESULTS: Out of 1,574 children, 14.2% presented with metastases, and 23.3% underwent delayed nephrectomy. Presentation with metastases and delayed nephrectomy were associated with older age and more complex chronic conditions. Neighborhood deprivation was not significantly associated with presentation with metastases or delayed nephrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Neighborhood deprivation did not significantly impact the presentation or timing of nephrectomy of pediatric renal tumors; biological factors rather than access to care may be the major drivers of variability. However, administrative databases are limited in their ability to fully inform the study of pediatric renal tumors.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The efficacy of a low-cost laparoscopic training curriculum for Nigerian surgeons

  Global Surgical Education - Journal of the Association for Surgical Education · 2025-01-06 · 2 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Role of post-transcriptional RNA modification 2'OMe in viral infection

  NIH · $79k · 2018–2023

Frequent coauthors

• Chuan He

  47 shared

• Hailing Shi

  Broad Institute

  22 shared

• Zhike Lu

  Westlake University

  16 shared

• Linda Zhang

  Cooper Medical School of Rowan University

  7 shared

• Allen Zhu

  Howard Hughes Medical Institute

  6 shared

• Qing Dai

  6 shared

• Xiaolong Cui

  6 shared

• Pascal W.T.C. Jansen

  Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences

  6 shared

Labs

• Hsu GroupPI

Awards & honors

• NSF CAREER Award (2022)
• Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards (2021)
• MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 China (2020)
• Sony Faculty Innovation Award (2019)