On April 8, 2011 IFFGD presented Research Awards totalling $45,000 recognizing 6 active investigators with records of research interest in basic mechanisms or clinical aspects of functional gastrointestinal and motility disorders. The awards support and encourage the participation of clinicians and scientists in multidisciplinary efforts aimed at advancing the understanding of these disorders in adults and in children.
Peer-Review Selection Committee
- Douglas Drossman, MD, Chair
- Carlo DiLorenzo, MD
- Reza Shaker, MD
- Yvette Taché, PhD
- Peter Whorwell, MD
- Jackie Wood, PhD
The award recipients were honored at the 9th International Symposium on Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Milwaukee, WI. Presentation of the awards was made by Nancy Norton, President, IFFGD; Stephen P. James, MD, Director, Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the NIH; and Douglas Drossman, MD, Chair, IFFGD Research Awards Peer-Review Scientific Selection Committee.
2011 Research Awards
Left to Right, 1st Row Presenters: Stephen James, MD; William Norton, IFFGD; Nancy Norton, IFFGD; Douglas Drossman, MD; 2nd Row Award Winners: Million Mulegeta, MD; Shaman Rajindrajith, MD; Sudarshan Jadcherla, MD; Samuel Nurko, MD; Adrian Mranda, MD; Ronnie Fass, MD.
We congratulate the 2011 IFFGD Research Award recipients for their outstanding achievements.
The 2011 award for Senior Investigator in Clinical Science went to Ronnie Fass, MD, FACP, FACG at Metro Health Medical Center, Case Western University, Cleveland, OH.
Dr. Fass’ research interests include improving the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as reflux disease, functional heartburn, noncardiac chest pain, gastroparesis, and Barrett’s esophagus.
Read Dr. Fass’ research summary, “Sleep and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).”
The 2011 award for Senior Investigator in Basic Science went to Million Mulugeta, MVSc, DVM, PhD at UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA.
Dr. Mulugeta’s research interests include : understanding of the mechanism of stress-related gastrointestinal disorders in order to develop better treatments; and examining the molecules related to the body’s reaction to stress, and the impact they have on digestive function and pain.
View Dr. Mulugeta’s Research Award Winner Profile.
The 2011 award for Junior Investigator in Basic Science went to Adrian Miranda, MD at The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI.
Dr. Miranda’s research looks at intestinal pain and functional bowel disorders, including understanding how an unpleasant early life experience can cause physical changes that cause painful digestive conditions later in life; and looking at the development of pain sensitivity.
View Dr. Miranda’s Research Award Winner Profile.
The 2011 award for Senior Investigator in Pediatrics went to Samuel Nurko, MD, MPH at Harvard Medical School and Children’s Hospital Boston, Boston, MA.
Dr. Nurko’s research includes multiple digestive problems in children ranging from treating defecation problems to examining upper-digestive tract conditions such as esophageal motility disorders, and the effect of inflammation on motility.
View Dr. Nurko’s Research Award Winner Profile.
The 2011 award for Senior Investigator in Pediatrics went to Sudarshan Jadcherla, MD, FRCP, DCH at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH.
Dr. Jadcherla studies the upper digestive tract including the mechanisms of swallowing, with a goal of improving safe feeding in children. His clinical research is aimed at improving diagnosis and treatments in infant dysphagia, GERD, and chronic lung disease.
View Dr. Jadcherla’s Research Award Winner Profile.
The 2011 award for Junior Investigator in Pediatrics went to Shaman Rajindrajith, MBBS, MD, MRCPCH at the University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka.
Dr. Rajindrajith’s research seeks to better understanding of FGIDs in children, particularly in the developing world, including gastrointestinal motility in children with abdominal pain;, understanding aerophagia and cyclic vomiting in Sri Lankan children; and quality of life issues in children.
