His clinical focus is reconstructive surgery in cancer patients, including microsurgical reconstruction, for which he is fellowship trained. His research interests include clinical outcomes following reconstructive surgery in cancer patients, and the impact of non-clinical factors, such as systems of care delivery and financial infrastructure, on the development and success of cancer reconstructive surgery programs. Dr. Chao is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, has a top 10% national ranking in patient satisfaction, serves on the editorial board for Microsurgery, is a peer reviewer for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and has over 30 peer-reviewed publications.