Stephen M. Lagana MD

Dr. Stephen M. Lagana is a Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and a nationally recognized surgical pathologist specializing in gastrointestinal and liver pathology. He serves as Co-Director of Quality Assurance for Anatomic Pathology and Associate Director of Surgical Pathology, where he is dedicated to advancing diagnostic excellence, quality improvement, and patient care.

Dr. Lagana earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine before completing his residency and fellowship training in Anatomic Pathology at Columbia University. He is board-certified in Anatomic Pathology and has developed extensive expertise in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal, hepatic, and pancreatobiliary diseases, including celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver tumors, and complex liver pathology.

An accomplished physician-scientist, Dr. Lagana's research focuses on non-neoplastic small bowel diseases, liver neoplasia, gastrointestinal pathology, and the molecular mechanisms underlying digestive diseases. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in leading medical journals, with contributions spanning liver pathology, gastrointestinal malignancies, celiac disease, and COVID-19–associated liver injury. His work continues to advance the understanding of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders while informing diagnostic pathology practices.

Committed to academic medicine, Dr. Lagana is actively involved in teaching, mentoring trainees, and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. Through his leadership, research, and dedication to education, he continues to make significant contributions to the fields of gastrointestinal and liver pathology.