Robert Huang

Assistant Professor of Medicine (Gastroenterology and Hepatology)

Bio

I am a gastroenterologist and clinical researcher at Stanford University who seeks to improve the prevention and early detection of digestive malignancies. I have a particular interest in gastric precancerous lesions (such as gastric intestinal metaplasia) which give rise to stomach cancer. My research is aimed at improving digestive cancer outcomes through data science, cohort building, biomarker development, and biomarker clinical translation. Our group conducts patient-facing studies, EHR-based studies, large database studies, and bio-repository studies.

Beyond my scholarly work, I am a therapeutic endoscopist, with sub-specialty training in advanced endoscopic procedures. I maintain a robust endoscopic practice of surveying gastric precancerous lesions.

Clinical Focus

Gastroenterology
ERCP, endoscopic ultrasound, luminal stenting, small bowel endoscopy
gastric cancer, gastric intestinal metaplasia and premalignant lesions

Academic Appointments

Assistant Professor-Univ Med Line, Medicine - Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Member, Stanford Cancer Institute

Honors & Awards

Bridge Funding Award, American College of Gastroenterology (2026-2028)
NIH MERIT Award (R37CA303148), National Cancer Institute (2026)
Fellow, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) (2024)
K08 Mentored Career Development Award (CA252635), National Cancer Institute (2021-2026)
Resource Center for Minority Aging Career Development Grant, National Institutes of Aging (P30AG0059304) / Rutgers University (2021)
Young Physician Leadership Scholar, American College of Gastroenterology (2020)
North American International Training Grant, American College of Gastroenterology (2019)
Top Reviewer, Annals of Internal Medicine (2018)
Chief Fellow, Division of Gastroenterology, Stanford University (2016-2017)
T32 Institutional Research Training Grant (DK007056), National Institutes of Health (2015-2017)
William G. Anlyan Scholarship, Duke University School of Medicine (2010)
NIH-Clinical Research Training Program (CRTP), National Institutes of Health (2009-2010)
Harvard College Scholar, Harvard College (2003-2005)

Projects

The Stanford Gastric Precancerous Conditions Study (GAPS)

The goal of the Stanford GPC Study is to 1) identify non-invasive markers to identify patients at high risk for advanced GPCs and 2) develop molecular risk stratification models to predict which patients with advanced GPCs will progress onto gastric cancer. We are seeking to recruit subjects between the ages of 30 to 84 with 1) a personal history of GPC (either intestinal metaplasia or gastric atrophy) 2) a family history of gastric cancer or 3) dyspepsia or abdominal pain. The research involves a brief questionnaire, blood draw, saliva specimen, and gastric biopsies. We hope that through this research we will develop molecular tests which will improve the early detection of gastric cancer.

Location

Stanford, CA

Professional Education

Fellowship: Stanford University Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (2017) CA
Residency: Stanford University Internal Medicine Residency (2014) CA
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology (2018)
Residency, Stanford Hospital and Clinics, Internal Medicine (2014)
Medical Education: Duke University School of Medicine (2011) NC
M.D., Duke University School of Medicine (2011)
A.B., Harvard College, Biochemical Sciences, magna cum laude (2007)

Contact

Clinical (Primary)

This is the primary clinic for this clinical provider. For additional clinical locations and information, please visit the link(s) listed below in the 'Additional Clinical Info' section.

Medicine 300 Pasteur Dr Rm JC007 Stanford CA 94305 Tel: (650) 725-5071 Fax: (650) 725-8381

Additional Clinical Info

Stanford Health Care

Current Research and Scholarly Interests

Epidemiology
Epidemiology of gastric cancer
Racial and ethnic disparities in gastric cancer
Gastric intestinal metaplasia and other precancerous lesions
Molecular marker development
Microbiome

Clinical Trials

The GAstric Precancerous Conditions Study Recruiting
More
Gastric cancer afflicts 27,000 Americans annually and carries a dismal prognosis. One reason for poor outcomes is late diagnosis, as the majority of gastric cancers in the United States are diagnosed at a relatively advanced stage where curative resection is unlikely. Gastric precursors (such as atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia) are precancerous changes to the stomach mucosa which increases risk for subsequent gastric cancer. The Gastric Precancerous Conditions Study (GAPS) is an observational study of patients at elevated risk for gastric cancer. Investigators seek to recruit patients from endoscopy unit of Stanford Health Care, a large academic network of hospitals and clinics serving Northern California. Investigators will recruit patients who are both symptomatic (e.g. dyspepsia) and asymptomatic (e.g. referred for screening), and individuals both with known precursor lesions (such as intestinal metaplasia) or at high risk for carrying precursor lesions. A component of the study is long-term follow-up of individuals with gastric precursors. This is to understand their risk factors for histologic progression and regression. During both index and subsequent endoscopies, the study team will collect biospecimens (e.g. blood, saliva, gastric tissue).

Lead Sponsor
- Stanford University
Stanford Investigators
- Robert Huang
- Joo Ha Hwang, MD, PhD
View full details
The Gastric Cancer Foundation: A Gastric Cancer Registry Recruiting
More
The Gastric Cancer Registry will combine data acquired directly from patients with gastric cancer; with a family history of gastric cancer in a first or second degree relative; or persons with a known germline mutation in their CDH1 (E-Cadherin) gene via an online questionnaire with genomic data obtained from saliva, blood and tissue samples. The purpose of this registry is to gain better understanding of the causes of gastric cancer, both environmental and genetic; whether certain genomic data can predict outcomes of treatment and survival.

Lead Sponsor
- Stanford University
Stanford Investigators
View full details

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