CU Anschutz Gynecologic Oncology Summer/Fall 2025 Newsletter

November 11, 2025

Dr. Saketh Guntupalli Named Chair of CU Anschutz Department of OB-GYN

We are pleased to announce that Saketh R. Guntupalli, MD, has been appointed Chair of the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, effective November 12, 2025.

Dr. Guntupalli, who joined the faculty in 2012, has served as Director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, growing it into one of the largest and most respected in the country. Under his leadership, the division expanded faculty, added clinical sites, and secured significant philanthropic support, enhancing the department's clinical care, research, and education.

A leader in women’s cancer, Dr. Guntupalli has published over 100 manuscripts, led pioneering research on ovarian and uterine cancers, and secured over $3.2 million in independent funding. As Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs and Development, Dr. Guntupalli mentored more than 45 faculty members through the promotions process, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.

As Chair, Dr. Guntupalli is dedicated to continuing the department's growth and excellence. He shares the vision of Dean John H. Sampson, MD, PhD, MBA, in propelling the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology into the Top 10 nationwide, with a focus on advancing women's health research, clinical care, and education.

“I am incredibly honored to serve as chair of this outstanding department,” says Dr. Guntupalli. “We will continue to lead in women's health, pushing the boundaries of discovery, and providing the best care to our patients.”

Join us in welcoming Dr. Guntupalli to his new role as Chair and in supporting his leadership in advancing the department's mission.

CU Anschutz Advances Breakthroughs in Early Ovarian Cancer Detection

The CU Anschutz Ovarian Cancer Innovations Group (OCIG) is making national headlines for groundbreaking work in early ovarian cancer detection. In partnership with women-founded Denver biotech AOA Dx, the team is validating a revolutionary, multi-omic, AI-powered blood test that identifies ovarian cancer in symptomatic women with over 90% accuracy.

Key Highlights:

• Innovative Blood Test: CU Anschutz and AOA Dx co-published a study on a scalable, sensitive test using lipidomic and protein biomarkers with machine learning to improve early ovarian cancer detection. View Publication
• Clinical Research: Drs. Kian Behbakht, Benjamin Bitler, and Eric Helm published a study showing that symptom-based electronic intake questionnaires—tracking bloating, abdominal pain, and urinary changes—are a feasible early detection tool.
• Media Recognition:
• CBS News Colorado featured the CU Anschutz–AOA Dx partnership, emphasizing the test’s potential to catch cancer early. Watch Segment & Read the Article
• Denver7 (ABC News) spotlighted the collaboration between the OCIG and AOA Dx to develop a groundbreaking ovarian cancer detection test. Watch Segment & Read the Article
• Peer-Reviewed Validation: AOA Dx’s test, developed in partnership with CU Anschutz and The University of Manchester, outperforms traditional biomarkers such as CA125, showing > 90% accuracy in detecting ovarian cancer across two large cohorts. View Publication

Together, CU Anschutz and AOA Dx are reshaping the future of women’s health—bringing hope, precision, and innovation to one of the most challenging cancers.

Division Announcements

Celebrating 5280 Top Doctors at the CU Anschutz Cancer Center

Denver's 5280 Magazine has released its 2025 list of Top Doctors for 2025, with over 600 CU School of Medicine faculty recognized, including 12 from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Within the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, congratulations to: Kian Behbakht, MD, MBA, Saketh Guntupalli, MD, and Christine Walsh, MD, MS.

Faculty Honors

Saketh Guntupalli, MD, Professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, was awarded Tenure & the 2025 Distinguished Clinician Award. A dedicated faculty member in the Department of OB-GYN for 14 years, Dr. Guntupalli is a nationally recognized leader in women’s health, known for clinical excellence, compassionate care, top patient ratings, and the trust of colleagues and community leaders.

Jill Alldredge, MD, was promoted to Associate Professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology. A leader in gynecologic cancer care, Dr. Alldredge specializes in treating ovarian, uterine, cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers. She is known for her personalized approach and expertise in advanced surgical techniques, including robotic-assisted surgery, to achieve the best outcomes for her patients at the following locations: CU Anschutz, Highlands Ranch, and Lakewood.

Meet the New Faces of CU Anschutz Gynecologic Oncology

Upcoming Event

Hope and Healing: Gynecologic Cancer Survivorship & Beyond

We are excited to announce the upcoming conference, “Hope and Healing: Gynecologic Cancer Survivorship & Beyond” hosted by the CU Anschutz Division of Gynecologic Oncology in collaboration with the Colorado Gynecologic Cancer Alliance (CGCA).

Event Date: Thursday, February 5th, 2026
Location: University of Colorado Anschutz Health Sciences Building
Target Audience: Gynecologic Cancer Patients, Survivors, and Caregivers

Don't miss this opportunity to learn and engage with top professionals in the field! To register for the conference, please visit the event website or contact [email protected].

Event Recaps

2024 3rd Ovarian Cancer Think Tank Meeting Commentary

In October 2024, the University of Colorado Anschutz Ovarian Cancer Innovations Group (OCIG) hosted the 3rd Ovarian Cancer Think Tank, focusing on the use of AI and computational biology to explore tumor biology, pathology, and precision medicine in managing rare ovarian cancer subtypes like carcinosarcomas. The meeting also highlighted the evolving role of HER2 in gynecologic oncology and clinical trial design from a pathologist's perspective. To read the resulting published commentary, please visit sciencedirect.com.

GynOnc Research Series

Curious about gynecologic cancer research but not a science expert?

Join the CU Anschutz Division of Reproductive Sciences (DRS), CU Anschutz Ovarian Cancer Innovations Group (OCIG), and the Colorado Gynecologic Cancer Alliance (CGCA) for a new quarterly virtual series highlighting the OB-GYN Department’s latest advances in gynecologic cancer prevention, detection, and treatment—presented in clear, accessible language for patients, caregivers, advocates, clinicians, and all interested in women’s health.

Join our next session! Email us at [email protected] to be added to the event contact list.

AACR Conference & Reception

The University of Colorado Anschutz Ovarian Cancer Innovations Group (OCIG) had a prominent presence at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Special Conference on Ovarian Cancer held in Denver this past September. In honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, CU Anschutz hosted an exhibit table and a networking reception that drew over 120 ovarian cancer researchers and industry leaders. The Gynecologic Oncology Research Group (GORG) Lab, led by Drs. Ben Bitler and Kian Behbakht, showcased six posters on topics including Alisertib and cisplatin resistance in high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) (Ritsuko Iwanaga), building HGSC classifiers (Natalie Davidson PhD), tumor reduction with hematopoietic stem cell derived adipocytes (Francis To), molecular imaging of Claudin-4 expression (Natalie Serkova PhD), propranolol and tumor burden (Elizabeth Woodruff, PhD, MA), and semaphorin 7A in HGSC (Alan Elder). The AACR conference highlighted cutting-edge research in tumor biology, genomics, precision medicine, and innovative technologies. The OCIG’s active participation reflects its continued commitment to driving forward breakthroughs in ovarian cancer research and patient care.

Research & Grants

Research

Faculty within the Division of Gynecologic Oncology have made significant contributions to the field by publishing more than 30+ articles in renowned clinical and pre-clinical journals in 2025. To view all our latest publications, click the link here: View Latest Publications.

Grant Awards & Accomplishments

Benjamin Bitler, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of OB-GYN, is leading the development of a multi-institutional Ovarian Cancer SPORE (Specialized Programs of Research Excellence) application in collaboration with the University of New Mexico, focused on improving outcomes for individuals with ovarian cancer. Supported by the 2025 CU ASPIRE Program Award, the team is advancing innovative therapeutic strategies, including epigenetic, metabolic, and immune-based approaches, along with a population science project.

Elizabeth Woodruff, PhD, MA, is leading a Cancer Innovation Pilot Grant–funded study supported by the University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Center to uncover how chronic stress drives the development, spread, and immune response of high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), while also examining how HGSC affects stress-related brain regions.

Benjamin Bitler, PhD, was also awarded the Department of OB-GYN William D. Schlaff Mentorship Award in June 2025.

Faculty Profile: Kian Behbakht, MD, MBA

Kian Behbakht, MD, MBA, is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and holds the Emily McClintock Addlesperger Endowed Chair in Ovarian Cancer Research at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine. He also serves as President-Elect of the Medical Staff at the University of Colorado Hospital. A nationally recognized leader in gynecologic oncology, Dr. Behbakht is dedicated to improving outcomes for women with ovarian cancer through advancements in prevention, early detection, and innovative treatment strategies. His research focuses on novel biomarkers, risk-stratification, and computational approaches to early diagnosis, with an emerging emphasis on leveraging artificial intelligence, multi-omics, and tumor microenvironment analyses.

Dr. Behbakht is a practicing clinician who treats ovarian and other gynecologic cancers. He directs the CU Anschutz Ovarian Cancer Innovations Group (OCIG), an interdisciplinary team that brings together clinicians, computational biologists, and laboratory scientists to tackle the most pressing challenges in the field. His collaborative network includes national and international leaders in gynecologic oncology, pathology, immunology, and computational biology, fostering a highly integrative and translational research environment.

He has been repeatedly recognized for his clinical excellence and leadership, including recognition as a 5280 Top Doctor, and is one of only six members of the Gynecologic Oncology Division of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, which sets national standards and oversees education for gynecologic oncology specialists in the United States.

Outside of his professional work, Dr. Behbakht enjoys life in Colorado with his wife and three children, ages 26, 22, and 20. He is an avid skier and rock climber who finds joy in the Colorado mountains.