Michael A. Helmrath, MD
- Director, Center for Stem Cell & Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM)
- Director, Surgical Research
- Director, Center for Bariatric Research and Innovation
- Pediatric Surgeon
- Professor, UC Department of Surgery
- michael.helmrath@cchmc.org
- Board Certified
About
Biography
As a pediatric surgeon-scientist, I'm dedicated to helping patients with intestinal diseases and obesity. I always wanted to be a physician — caring for children and conducting research focused on strategies to improve the outcomes of those with intestinal failure.
My clinical interests are bariatric surgery and surgery to correct intestinal failure. My clinical work allows me to translate gastrointestinal conditions into the laboratory, where we are working to develop highly innovative approaches for treating intestinal diseases.
In my research lab, I've established a multidisciplinary team dedicated to translational, clinical, and basic science research focused on intestinal diseases. We are characterizing intestinal stem cells during adaptation and are working to develop intestinal regenerative strategies.
I believe that understanding the biology of intestinal stem cells is key to unraveling the mechanisms involved during the disease process. In my lab, we've developed in vitro culture techniques to maintain and expand individual human intestinal stem cells derived from human tissue samples, pluripotent stem cells, and surgical animal models.
I serve as the Director of Surgical Research, Director of the Center for Bariatric Research and Innovation, and Director of the Center for Stem Cell & Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM). I am board certified in General Surgery and Pediatric Surgery.
BA: Miami University, Oxford, OH, 1987
MD: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 1993
MS: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 1989
Certifications: Board-certified General Surgery; board-certified, Pediatric Surgery
Interests
Surgery - general and thoracic; intestinal disorders; surgical weight loss
Interests
Intestinal diseases research
Insurance Information
Cincinnati Children's strives to accept a wide variety of health plans. Please contact your health insurance carrier to verify coverage for your specific benefit plan.
Publications
Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Versus Comprehensive Lifestyle Intervention for Adolescents With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: A Prospective Controlled Cohort Study. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2026.
Glycemic Normalization Immediately Following Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy in Adolescents With Type 2 Diabetes From the ST2OMP Study. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. 2026.
Large-scale and innervated functional human gut tissues for transplantation via transient spheroid confinement. Nature Biomedical Engineering. 2026.
Contemporary challenges and outcomes in children with ultrashort bowel syndrome: A descriptive cohort study. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 2026; 82(5):1296-1302.
Care transition from a pediatric intestinal rehabilitation program to adult care and the risk of all-cause mortality: A retrospective cohort study. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. 2026.
Promoting Human Intestinal Organoid Formation and Stimulation Using Piezoelectric Nanofiber Matrices. Tissue Engineering - Part A.. 2026; 19373341251396119.
Healthcare utilisation across five years among adolescents following metabolic-bariatric surgery; a prospective observational study. The Lancet Regional Health. Americas. 2026; 54:101332.
Is Appendiceal Cancer a Risk of Nonoperative Management of Pediatric Uncomplicated Appendicitis? Journal of Surgical Research. 2026; 317:161-166.
A shift in PKM2 oligomeric state instructs adipocyte inflammatory potential. JCI Insight. 2025; 10(22).
Exploring Organ-Specific Extracellular Vesicles in Metabolic Improvements Following Bariatric Surgery in Youth With Obesity. Obesity. 2025; 33(11):2181-2194.
From the Blog
Scientists Unlock Scalable Production of Human Gut Organoids with Functional Nerves
Michael A. Helmrath, MD, Maxime M. Mahe, PhD ...5/22/2026
Bariatric Surgery Offers Long-Term Health Gains for Adolescents
Michael A. Helmrath, MD, Todd M. Jenkins, PhD, MPH7/23/2025
Organoid Medicine Milestone Reported in Cell Stem Cell
Michael A. Helmrath, MD, Magdalena Kasendra, PhD9/12/2024
Organoids Validated as Tool for Studying Fetal Intestine Development
Michael A. Helmrath, MD5/4/2023
Novel Approach Generates Most Complex Stomach, Esophagus Organoids to Date
Michael A. Helmrath, MD, James M. Wells, PhD ...2/8/2023
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