Vascular Science
"Mimi" Sara Gaines, MD
Dr. Gaines studies how the dysbiotic gut microbiome contributes to uremic vascular toxicity and arteriovenous fistula failure in dialysis patients.
View ResearchSurgical Science · Microbiome · Immunity
Where surgery, immunity, and the microbiome converge
We are a collaborative laboratory investigating how the microbiome and host shape outcomes after surgery, trauma, and critical illness. Our independent research programs unite fundamental discovery with translational science to reduce infectious burden, improve vascular health, and advance patient care.
Our History
A shared scientific vision, built across generations
Founded by Dr. John Alverdy, the laboratory has long focused on understanding how interactions between the intestinal microbiome and the host influence the development of life-threatening infections following surgery, trauma, and critical illness. Through decades of NIH-funded research, the lab has advanced fundamental insights into microbial virulence, host-pathogen signaling, and translational strategies to prevent infection.
In 2024, the laboratory expanded with the recruitment of Dr. Sara Gaines and Dr. Lavanya Visvabharathy, who established independent research programs while remaining united under a common scientific vision. Together, the group brings expertise spanning surgical science, microbiome biology, vascular remodeling, and human immunology. This interdisciplinary structure reflects the lab's mission to bridge traditionally separate fields and create a collaborative environment where discoveries at the interface of surgery, host immunity, and the microbiome can be translated into improved patient care.
Research
Three programs, one mission
SIM Lab brings together complementary programs in surgical microbiome science, vascular remodeling, and T-cell immunology to understand how host-microbe interactions shape disease and recovery.
Surgical Microbiome
Sanjiv Hyoju, MD, PhD
Dr. Sanjiv Hyoju studies how the gut microbiome, diet, and antibiotics shape infection-related surgical complications, including wound infection, anastomotic leak, peritonitis, and sepsis. His work uses surgical mouse models and microbiome-informed therapeutics to reduce surgical morbidity and advance translational care.
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T-Cell Immunology
Lavanya Visvabharathy, PhD
Dr. Lavanya Visvabharathy studies how T cells respond to infection and how immune memory is shaped by viral and bacterial pathogens. Her laboratory combines human immunology, systems biology, and immunometabolism to understand how infections can produce lasting changes in immune function and contribute to chronic disease.
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The people behind the science
We are a growing team of surgeons, researchers, and trainees united by the goal of improving outcomes for surgery patients.
"Mimi" Sara Gaines, MD
Principal Investigator, vascular surgeon-scientist, Associate Program Director for General Surgery, and Co-Director of the Surgeon Scientist Training Pathway.
Sanjiv Hyoju, MD, PhD
Assistant Research Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Chicago.
Lavanya Visvabharathy, PhD
Assistant Research Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Chicago.
Meet the Full Lab
See trainees, staff, collaborators, and alumni connected to the lab's research programs.
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Get in touch
Location
Department of Surgery
University of Chicago
5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
Email
Sara Gaines: sgaines@uchicago.edu
Lavanya Visvabharathy: Lavanya.Visvabharathy@bsd.uchicago.edu
Collaborations
We actively seek collaborators in microbiome science, nanomedicine, vascular biology, and translational surgery.