Thomas Chi, MD, MBA

Biography

Title

Professor and Chair of Urology

Faculty Appointment

Professor

Research Interests

UAB is a leading institution in health sciences. From basic research to clinical research in patients, leading researchers and doctors at UAB are constantly pushing scientific boundaries and earning worldwide recognition for their discoveries.

In concert with this philosophy, Dr. Thomas Chi and members of his laboratory are conducting several projects to understand how kidney stones and BPH form and how to treat these diseases efficiently and effectively. At the most elemental level, they are looking inside the kidney and prostate to identify specific interactions among the body's cells and genetic material that might lead to stone formation and prostate enlargement. They have used a variety of animal models and human clinical trials to advance our understanding of these disease mechanisms. In these areas, Dr. Chi and his team have utilized big data and artificial intelligence approaches to understand fundamental mechanisms of kidney stone formation. He's enrolled patients in clinical trials to enhance their recovery from prostate surgery. His team has also developed specialized skills in applying ultrasound to surgical removal of kidney stones, leading them to provide safer and more efficient clinical care for patients all around the world. Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Chi's research concentrates efforts at the patient care level, directing energy at trying to eliminate unnecessary risks and maximizing patient quality of life during stone and prostate treatment.

Their current research and clinical studies utilizing novel discoveries and innovations are designed to broaden their knowledge of kidney stone and prostate disease, thereby leading to better preventative care and ultimately advancing to a cure.

Publications

Some recent selected publications are listed below. For a full list of list of publications please visit: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=thomas+chi&sort=date

Lee HH, Yang H, Martin-Tuite P, Unno R, Hamouche F, Ahn J, Bayne D, Stoller M, Chi T. Determinants of ureteral obstruction after percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Urolithiasis. 2022 Dec; 50(6):759-764. PMID: 36239748. PMCID: PMC9584844


Unno R, Hosier G, Hamouche F, Bayne DB, Stoller ML, Chi T. Single-Use Ureteroscopes Are Associated with Decreased Risk of Urinary Tract Infection After Ureteroscopy for Urolithiasis Compared to Reusable Ureteroscopes. J Endourol. 2023 02; 37(2):133-138. PMID: 36267020. PMCID: PMC10081697


Hamouche F, Hakam N, Unno R, Ahn J, Yang H, Bayne D, Stoller ML, Smith S, Finlayson E, Smith J, Chi T. Reimagining Ambulatory Care in Urology: Conversion of the Urology Clinic into a Procedure Center Improves Patient's Experience. Telemed J E Health. 2023 Oct 20. PMID: 37862049


Unno R, Taguchi K, Hosier G, Usawachintachit M, Sui W, Yang H, Hamouche F, Bayne D, Stoller M, Chi T. Maternal family history of urolithiasis is associated with earlier age of onset of stone disease. World J Urol. 2023 Jan; 41(1):241-247. PMID: 36504337. PMCID: PMC10044450


Raizenne BL, Deyirmendjian C, Lafontaine ML, Balde M, Bechis SK, Sur RL, Nakada SY, Antonelli JA, Streeper NM, Sivalingam S, Viprakasit DP, Averch TD, Landman J, Chi T, Pais VM, Chew BH, Bird VG, Andonian S, Canvasser NE, Harper JD, Penniston KL, Bhojani N. The Impact of Bilateral Stone Disease on Patients' Disease Progression and Health-Related Quality of Life. J Endourol. 2023 12; 37(12):1289-1294. PMID: 37767631


Tzou DT, Stern KL, Duty BD, Hsi RS, Canvasser NE, De S, Wong AC, Royal CR, Sloss ML, Ziemba JB, Harper JD, Bechis SK, Zampini AM, Borofsky MS, Bell JR, Friedlander JI, Leavitt DA, Nevo A, Patel ND, Patel RM, Okeke Z, Rivera ME, Hsu CH, Chi T, Vedantam G, Lainhart WD. Heterogeneity in stone culture protocols and endourologist practice patterns: a multi-institutional survey. Urolithiasis. 2022 Dec 12; 51(1):15. PMID: 36507964


Hosier GW, Hakam N, Hamouche F, Cortez X, Charondo L, Yang H, Chan C, Chang K, Unno R, Sui W, Bayne DB, Stoller ML, Chi T. Ultrasound-Only Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Is Safe and Effective Compared to Fluoroscopy-Directed Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy. J Endourol. 2023 May 09. PMID: 37051696


Wu X, Zhou A, Heller M, Chi T, Kohlbrenner R. Comparison of Minimally Invasive Procedures for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Cost-effectiveness Analysis. Radiology. 2023 Dec; 309(3):e230555. PMID: 38085076


Bayne D, Maru J, Srirangapatanam S, Hicks C, Neuhaus J, Scales C, Chi T, Stoller M. Effects of Delayed Surgical Intervention Following Emergency Department Presentation on Stone Surgery Complexity. J Endourol. 2023 Jun; 37(6):729-737. PMID: 37158820. PMCID: PMC10280210
144. Hamouche F, Hakam N, Unno R, Ahn J, Yang H, Bayne D, Stoller ML, Smith S, Finlayson E, Smith J, Chi T. Reimagining Ambulatory Care in Urology: Conversion of the Urology Clinic into a Procedure Center Improves Patient's Experience. Telemed J E Health. 2024 Mar;30(3):748-753. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0272. Epub 2023 Oct 20.PMID: 37862049