Stanford Transplant Research Symposium Highlights Innovation in Transplantation

Stanford researchers and clinicians gathered on September 18, 2026, for the Stanford Transplant Research Symposium, an afternoon of research presentations, discussion, and collaboration focused on emerging challenges and innovations in transplantation.

Held at the Li Ka Shing Center for Learning and Knowledge, the symposium brought together members of the Stanford community with an interest in transplantation and featured presentations exploring two timely areas: the use of artificial intelligence to better understand liver transplant outcomes and ongoing challenges in donor heart allocation.

Exploring AI and Liver Transplant Outcomes

Allison Kwong, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Medicine in Gastroenterology and Hepatology and, by courtesy, of Surgery in Abdominal Transplantation, presented “Talking to Your Data: An AI-Enabled Platform for Liver Transplant Outcomes.”

Her presentation highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence and data-driven approaches in transplantation research, including opportunities to make complex transplant outcomes data more accessible and useful for researchers and clinicians.

Examining Donor Heart Allocation

Daniel Jaechul Ahn, MD, a Stanford General Surgery resident, presented “A Donor Heart Allocation System in Crisis,” examining challenges surrounding the allocation of donor hearts for transplantation.

Together, the presentations demonstrated the breadth of transplantation research at Stanford, spanning clinical outcomes, data science, health systems, and organ allocation.

The formal presentations were followed by a discussion and reception, providing attendees an opportunity to exchange ideas and connect with colleagues from across Stanford’s transplant research community.

By bringing researchers and clinicians together around shared challenges in transplantation, the Stanford Transplant Research Symposium provided a forum for interdisciplinary conversation and collaboration while highlighting new approaches that may help inform the future of transplant research and care.