Dr. Courcoulas completed her surgical training at UPMC, along with advanced training in trauma, pediatric, and minimally invasive surgery. She specializes in the laparoscopic approach to treat obesity and other diseases of the foregut. Dr. Courcoulas’ particular areas of interest include metabolic surgery to treat type 2 diabetes, other long-term health outcomes of bariatric surgery, and evaluation of new surgical technology and devices.
Dr. Courcoulas has authored over 230 published articles, book chapters, and reviews and is also very active in clinical outcomes research, leading several important National Institutes of Health-sponsored studies evaluating long-term outcomes of bariatric surgery.
Education & Training
- BS, Brown University
- MD, Boston University School of Medicine
- MPH, University of Pittsburgh
- Surgery Residency, UPMC
- Pediatric Surgery Clinical Research Fellowship, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
- Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship, UPMC
Representative Publications
Dr. Courcoulas' publications can be reviewed through PubMed.
Research, Clinical, and/or Academic Interests
- Metabolic surgery to treat type 2 diabetes
- Long-term health outcomes of bariatric surgery
- Evaluation of new surgical technology and devices
Research Grants
- NIH/NHLBI 1R01HL130462-01A1, Effectiveness of Gastric Sleeve vs. Gastric Bypass for Cardiovascular Disease
- NIH/NIDDK R01DK105960-01, Long-term Benefits and Risks of Bariatric Surgery in Integrated Care Systems (Durable)
- NIH R01DK108642, Intestinal Metabolic Reprogramming as a Key Mechanism of Gastric Bypass in Humans
- NIH/NIDDK, 2UM1DK072493, Adolescent Bariatrics: Assessing Health Benefits and Risks (Teen LABS)
- NIH/NIDDK 1401DK103842-01, LABS 3 Sub-study: Mechanisms of Durability of Type 2 Diabetes Remission
- PCORI, PCORnet Bariatric Study