Prof Horgan is Head of the Academic Unit of Surgery. The Unit concentrates on translational clinical research in surgery, particularly in colorectal and pancreatic cancer. The list of publications linked from the home page attests to the success of the Unit in this field.

His clinical work is as a member of the colorectal services based in Glasgow Royal Infirmary with special interests in advanced metastatic colorectal cancer. The Unit offers diagnosis, staging and resection of primary and secondary colorectal cancer particularly liver secondary disease. This Unit is unique in offering synchronous colon and hepatic resections and the research profile reflects this practice.