Marcelo Puppo Bigarella, MD

Research Program: Cancer Therapeutics Faculty Rank: Assistant Professor, Urologic Oncology Campus: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College: College of Medicine Department: Urology

Cancer Research Interest

• Disease Site Focus: GU
• Research Focus Area: Diagnosis/ Prognosis, Detection
• Type of Research: Clinical, Translational
• Research Keywords: kidney cancer, cytoreductive nephrectomy, prostate cancer, prostate cancer screening, metastatic kidney cancer
• Research Interest Statement: My research focuses on advancing clinical and translational outcomes in genitourinary (GU) oncology, with particular emphasis on kidney and prostate cancer. I am actively working to expand the clinical trial portfolio at UAMS by fostering a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary environment that integrates urology, medical oncology, radiology, and pathology. I currently serve as Site Principal Investigator for a Phase III clinical trial in upper tract urothelial carcinoma, representing an important step in establishing UAMS as a leading center for GU clinical research. In parallel, I am leading the development of a Kidney Cancer Center of Excellence, with the goal of improving access to innovative therapies, optimizing surgical and systemic treatment pathways, and increasing trial enrollment across the region. My clinical practice is high-volume, particularly in kidney cancer, which allows for robust clinical research integration and meaningful patient-centered outcomes. I am also deeply committed to mentorship and academic development. As founder and coordinator of the UAMS Kidney Cancer Research Group, I work closely with residents and medical students to develop research projects, resulting in multiple abstracts presented at national and regional GU meetings in the past academic year. Through these efforts, my goal is to build a sustainable research infrastructure that advances multidisciplinary care, expands clinical trial access, and improves outcomes for patients with GU malignancies.

Contact Information

• Email Address: MPBigarella@uams.edu
• Profiles Research Networking Software: View Profile

Recent Publications

• Medik Y, Sardar S, Sethi JS, [et al., including Bigarella MP]. Stem Cell Origin of Cancer: Biological Principles and Clinical Strategies for Chemoprevention and Maintenance Therapy in Cancer Care. Cancers. 2025 17(16). PMID: 40867250.