Michael J. Stamos, MD, dean of the UC Irvine School of Medicine, is an internationally recognized expert in the treatment of colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease using minimally invasive surgery and sphincter-preserving techniques. His research background is centered on outcomes research and innovative clinical trials that have helped define approaches to patient care in his field.

Under his leadership, the medical school has steadily climbed in national research rankings and has received the highest accreditation possible from the Association of American Medical Colleges/AMA Liaison Committee on Medical Education.

When he joined the medical school in 2002, he established the Division of Colon & Rectal Surgery within the Department of Surgery and led Colorectal Surgery Services at UCI Health. In 2010, he was named chair of the Department of Surgery and served in that role until he was named interim dean in early 2016. His appointment as dean was announced in 2017.

Stamos is a past president of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) and the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery (ABCRS), as well as past president of the Research Foundation of ASCRS. He has published more than 260 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 38 chapters, and has served as editor on nine textbooks, including the ASCRS Textbook of Colon and Rectal Surgery.

Since 2005, he has been regularly recognized as a "Physicians of Excellence" by the Orange County Medical Association.