Samuel So

Dr. Samuel So is a pioneering surgeon and public health advocate who serves as the Lui Hac Minh Professor of Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. A native of Hong Kong with training from the University of Hong Kong and University of Minnesota, he has transformed the landscape of liver disease treatment and prevention through his roles as founder of Stanford's Multidisciplinary Liver Cancer Program and the Asian Liver Center. His career evolved from liver transplant surgery to becoming a global authority on hepatitis B and liver cancer prevention, driven by his recognition of the need for comprehensive public health approaches to liver disease. As a special adviser to the WHO Western Pacific regional office and former FDA consultant, he has shaped international health policies while leading groundbreaking research and treatment programs. His contributions earned him the CDC and ATSDR Honor Award and White House recognition for his leadership in viral hepatitis control. Through the Asian Liver Center, he has particularly focused on addressing the disproportionate impact of hepatitis B in Asian American communities, developing innovative prevention and education programs that have become models for public health intervention. His work spans clinical excellence, research innovation, and policy development, making him a transformative figure in global liver health.