Research Interests
I have a particular interest in studying cancer outcomes across a wide variety of diseases. I leverage large datasets to study trends in treatment, disparities in access and implementation of care, and effects of novel treatment strategies. These studies aim to inform the basis of policy change or future trials to test novel therapeutic strategies which may improve cancer outcomes.
My translational research focuses on the study of retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma, an extremely rare disease in which large tumors arise in the abdomen. Owing to their rarity, very little is known about their underlying biology and there are few effective treatment options. I created and implemented a research protocol which studies why these tumors develop and looks to identify novel therapeutic strategies for treatment.
Education
- Fellow in Complex General Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, 2022
- Resident Physician in General Surgery, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington DC, 2013-2020
- Complex General Surgical Oncology Research Fellowship, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, NY, 2015-2017
- Doctor of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ, 2013
- BS, Biology, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA, 2009
Board Certifications
- American Board of Surgery
- American Board of Surgery - Surgery (General Surgery)
Memberships
- Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Society
- American Colleges of Surgeons
- Washington DC Chapter American College of Surgeons, 2013 – 2020
- Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract
- Association for Academic Surgery
- Society of Surgical Oncology
- Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association
- International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association
- Metro Philadelphia Chapter American College of Surgeons
Awards and Honors
- Top Doctors, Surgery, Philadelphia Magazine, 2024-2026
- John Ridge Fellowship Award, 2022
- Metropolitan Philadelphia Chapter ACS Poster Competition Awardee – 2nd place, 2021
- Fox Chase Cancer Center Young Investigator’s Award, 2021
- Best Clinical Research Award- DC Chapter of the American College of Surgeons All Surgeons’ Day, 2020
- Best Clinical Research Award- Hufnagel Research Symposium, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, 2020
- American College of Surgeons Leadership Conference and Advocacy Summit Scholarship, 2020
- Best Basic Science Research Award- Hufnagel Research Symposium, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, 2016
- Medstar Georgetown Excellence in Resident Teaching Award, 2014
- John Ridge Fellowship Award, 2022
- Metropolitan Philadelphia Chapter ACS Poster Competition Awardee – 2nd place, 2021
- Fox Chase Cancer Center Young Investigator’s Award, 2021
- Best Clinical Research Award- DC Chapter of the American College of Surgeons All Surgeons’ Day, 2020
- Best Clinical Research Award- Hufnagel Research Symposium, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, 2020
- American College of Surgeons Leadership Conference and Advocacy Summit Scholarship, 2020
- Best Basic Science Research Award- Hufnagel Research Symposium, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, 2016
- Medstar Georgetown Excellence in Resident Teaching Award, 2014
Patient Comments
Always listens and responds to every concern. Explains everything. Kind and caring which you don't always find with doctors who are this talented! He makes things as easy as possible to understand and includes you in the options and decisions.
There is not a single detail regarding my health care that is not important to my team of providers. Every detail is explained to me and every concern is put to rest with an explanation I can understand, not complicated medical terms only a doctor recognizes
Dr. Villano is the best!
Dr. Villano and his staff are exceptional.
Dr Villano is absolutely amazing. Clear, thorough, empathetic.