In March 2025, the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) awarded 15 Travel Awards of up to $2,000 to support young investigators who have a record of research interest and accomplishment in neurogastroenterology and, especially, in the basic mechanisms or clinical aspects of functional gastrointestinal (GI) and motility disorders. These awards are intended to encourage the participation of clinicians and scientists in large world-class medical meetings for the field of gastroenterology. These Winners were recognized during IFFGD’s Annual DDW Breakfast in San Diego, California.
- Amanda Lynett, MS, RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Michigan Medicine - Amarjargal Batdelger, MD, MSc
Department of Gastroenterology Endoscopy
The Intermed Hospital Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - Benjamin Gallant, MD PGY-2R
Mark Kusek, Colorectal Surgery Research Fellow
UMass Memorial Health, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery - Cesar Saul Quevedo Penaloza, MD
Advanced Endoscopy Fellow
Cancer Institute of São Paulo- ICESP, São Paulo, Brazil - Karlo P. Fidel, MD
Augusta University Digestive Health Research - Kevin Huang, MD
General Gastroenterology Fellow, Boston Medical Center
Advanced Neurogastroenterology and Motility Fellow, Massachusetts General Hospital - Matthias Ceulemans, PhD
Mehandru Lab | Precision Immunology Institute | Department of Gastroenterology
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai - Megan Villarreal, MS, RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Michigan Medicine - Mohsin Faysal Butt, MSc, MBBS, MRCP
Department of Neurogastroenterology and Motility
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottinghamshire, UK - Neha Santucci, MD
Director, Disorders of Brain-Gut Interaction Program
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center - Nicha Wongjarupong, MD
Advanced GI motility fellow
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center - Samantha M. Arrizabalo, MD
Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine
These travel awards were made possible through the money raised during IFFGD’s 2024 Virtual Wellness Event. We are very grateful to all who participated in this event and donated to support this research.
Learn more about IFFGD’s upcoming 2025 Health and Wellness Event
