�����������

2024 Pilot Awardees

• Charles Cho, M.D, Ph.D., ����������� - “Ribosomes in pancreatic metaplasia and tumorigenesis”
• Xia Gao, Ph.D., ����������� - “Microbiome and phenylalanine metabolism in NAFLD”
• Firas Midani, Ph.D., ����������� - “Microbial stimulation of serotonin in infants”
• Jimin Min, Ph.D., MD Anderson Cancer Center - “Spatial omics of the normal pancreas across various ages”
• Kavish Patidar, M.D., �����������, Community-Acquired Acute Kidney Injury in Cirrhosis”
• Jared Sninsky, M.D., ����������� - "SPEP Biomarker Model for Disease Activity in UC"
  Xiaoqin Wu, Ph.D., The University of Texas Health Science Center - "Role of adipose MLKL through EVs in NAFLD"

2023 Pilot Awardees

• Lily Cheng, M.D., ����������� - “The effect of biomechanical forces on bowel function”
• Thomas A. Cooper, M.D., ����������� - “Modeling myotonic dystrophy in visceral smooth muscle”
• Ramon Jin, M.D. Ph.D., ����������� - “The role of SOX2 in Barrett's Esophagus Development”
• Krupa Mysore, M.D., ����������� - “Mechanisms of impaired T cell function in cholestasis”
• Theresa Nguyen-Wenker M.D., ����������� - "Barrett's Esophagus Screening Electronic Trigger Tool"
• Yang Yang, Ph.D. The University of Texas Health Science Center - "Role of eosinophils-specific COX2 in IBD"

2022 Pilot Awardees

• Sumimasa Arimura, Ph.D., ����������� - “Small intestinal engraftment in mice”
• Heather Danhof, Ph.D., ����������� - “Gut hormones regulate localized inflammatory responses”
• Yu An, Ph.D., The University of Texas Health Science Center - “Orm mitigates liver injury induced obesity”
• Jose Christian Perez, Ph.D., The University of Texas Health Science Center  - “How intestinal cells sense a human gut fungal pathobiont”
• Dongyin Guan, Ph.D., �����������, “Interplay between circadian clocks and liver cirrhosis”
• Joud Hajjar, M.D., ����������� - "Microbiome in common variable immunodeficiency" (renewal) 

2021 Pilot Awardees

• Xiangsheng Zuo, M.D., Ph.D., The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center - “Targeting PPAR-d for gastric cancer prevention”
• Natalia Khalaf, M.D., ����������� - “Predicting risk of long-term complications of acute pancreatitis in U.S. veteran population”
• Andrea McAlester-Hill, Ph.D., ����������� - “Dietary lipid regulation of intestinal tissue repair”
• Sara Di Rienzi, Ph.D., ����������� - “Intestinal oxytocin in treatment of gut inflammation”
• Joud Hajjar, M.D., ����������� - "Microbiome in common variable immunodeficiency"
• Jill Weatherhead, M.D., MSc, �����������, “Ascaris larvae - host intestinal epithelial interface”
• Kanchan Singh, Ph.D., The University of Texas Health Science Center - "Adenosine signaling in pancreatitis associated with pancreatic ductal obstruction initiated by mutant Kras" 

2020 Pilot Awardees

• Maya Balakrishnan, M.D., ����������� - “Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Women”
• Deepavali Chakravarti, Ph.D., The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center - “Telomere dysfunction drives inflammation through YAP”
• Gregory Guthrie, Ph.D., ����������� - “Parenteral lipid effect during obstructive cholestasis”
• Fong Lam, M.D., ����������� - “Platelets in APAP-induced Hepatotoxicity”
• Mimi Tan, M.D., M.P.H., �����������, “Predicting Risk of Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia”

2019 Pilot Feasibility Awardees

• James Collins, Ph.D., ����������� - “Adaptation and Spread of VRE”
• Bo Hu, Ph.D., University of Texas Health Science Center - "Structure of H. pylori Cag Type IV Secretion System"
• Cullen Taniguchi, M.D., Ph.D., The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center - “HIF2-Induced Wnt5a in Small Intestine Regeneration”
• Mimi Tan, M.D., ����������� - “Predicting Risk of Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia”
• Hongtao "Alex" Wang, M.D., ����������� - “Activating LRH-1 using oral lauric acid in treating IBD”
• Rajesh Shah, M.D., ����������� - “Molecular Predictors of Response to anti-TNF Therapy”
• Bhanu Priya Ganesh, Ph.D., University of Texas Heath Science Center - “Role of Gut Mast Cells in Post-Stroke Inflammation”

2018 Pilot Feasibility Awardees 

• Hongtao Wang, Ph.D., ����������� - “Targeting nuclear receptor LRH-1 in treating IBD”
• Tae Jin, Ph.D., University of Texas Health Science Center - "Role of miR-155 in human hepatocellular carcinoma"
• Beatrice Bissig-Choisat, Ph.D., ����������� - “Role of PNPLA3 polymorphism in NAFLD using humanized mice”
• Emily Mace, Ph.D., ����������� - “Gut microbiome and innate immune cell development”
• Bo Hu, Ph.D., University of Texas Health Science Center - “Structure of Helicobacter pylori Cag type IV System”
• Zheng Sun, Ph.D., ����������� - “Central circadian clock controls liver metabolism”
• Sasirekha Ramani, Ph.D., ����������� - “Human Milk Oligosaccharides as Norovirus Antivirals”
• Yun Nancy Huang, Ph.D., Texas A&M University - “Epigenetic regulation of Tregs during IBD pathogenesis”
• Faith Ihekweazu, M.D., ����������� - “Bacteroides ovatus’ Role during Epithelial Inflammation”
• Melinda Engevik, Ph.D., ����������� - “Serotonin in GI physiology”

2017 Pilot Feasibility Awardees

• Jessica Bowser, Ph.D., The University of Texas Health Science Center - “Adenosine A2B receptor signaling protects chromosome stability in inflammatory bowel disease: a therapeutic target for improving mucosal healing?”
• Xiaohong Bi, Ph.D., University of Texas Health Science Center - "The Role of Mucus Phosphatidylcholine in the Pathogenesis of Ulcerative Colitis"
• Jian Chen, Ph.D., MD Anderson Cancer Center - “Deregulated TGF-β signaling in stem cell-associated liver injury”
• Silke Paust, Ph.D., ����������� - “Generation Of A Novel Humanized Mouse Model To Evaluate The Human Microbiome – Immune Response Relationship”
• Geoffrey Preidis, M.D., Ph.D., ����������� - “Persistent Epigenetic Changes in Early Undernutrition”
• Allison Speer, M.D., The University of Texas Health Science Center - “Optimizing the Motility of Tissue-Engineered Intestine”
• Aaron Thrift, Ph.D., ����������� - “Application of Natural Language Processing to Identify Dysplasia among a National Cohort of Veterans with Barrett’s Esophagus”

2016 Pilot Feasibility Awardees

• David Durgan, Ph.D., ����������� - “Examining effects of sympathetic stimulation of the gut on OSA-induced hypertension”
• Geoffrey Preidis, M.D., Ph.D., ����������� - "The Malnourished Microbiome, Steatosis, and Metabolism"
• Sarah Blutt, Ph.D., ����������� - “Role of microbial factors on in vitro enterohepatic signaling”
• Hamed Jafar-Nejad, M.D., ����������� - “Negative regulation of JAG1 by glycosylation:towards a mechanism-based therapy for Alagille syndrome”
• Jennifer Auchtung, Ph.D., ����������� - “Effects of the microbiome on gastrointestinal homeostasis”
• Jun-ichi Abe, M.D., Ph.D., The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center - “The role of MAGl1 in inflammatory bowel disease”
• Venugopal Venna, Ph.D., The University of Texas Health Science Center - “The forgotten GI infection: the aging microbiota”

2015 Pilot Feasibility Awardees

• Jennifer M. Bailey, M.A., Ph.D., UT-Houston Medical School - “Critical Mechanisms Underlying Pancreatic Regeneration: A Unique Purpose For p120 Catenin.”
• Sue Crawford, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, ����������� - "Chylomicron Alteration by Enteric Pathogens."
• Gretchen Diehl, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research, Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, ����������� - “Identifying a role for mononuclear phagocyte sensing of microbiota species to promote intestinal healing.”
• David Durgan, Ph.D., Instructor, �����������, Dept. of Anesthesiology - “Role of the gut microbiome in the development of hypertension associated with obstructive sleep apnea.”
• Jason Heaney, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, ����������� - “A transcriptional role for IL-33 in intestinal epithelial cell tissue repair response.”
• Kendal Hirschi, Ph.D., Professor, Pediatrics-Nutrition, ����������� - “Gut Permeability determines Dietary miRNA absorption.”
• Jennifer K. Spinler, Ph.D., Instructor, �����������, Scientist, Microbial Genetics & Genomics, Texas Children's Microbiome Center - “Reuterin – Investigation of a novel signaling mechanism in gut-microbial health.”
• Yuxiang Sun, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center - “The role of the ghrelin receptor in dietary insult-induced steatohepatitis.”
• Melissa Suter, Ph.D., Instructor, OB/GYN Department, ����������� - “Investigating the incidence of metabolic endotoxemia associated with gestational diabetes.”
• M. Elizabeth Tessier, M.D., Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Fellow, �����������/ Texas Children's Hospital - “Enterohepatic autocrine signals in gut microbial pathogenesis.”
• Daoyan Wei, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department Gastroenterology Hepatology & Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center - “The role and mechanisms of Kruppel-like factor 4 in pancreatic Injury.”

2014 Pilot Feasibility Awardees

• Joseph Alcorn, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Pediatrics-Neonatology, UT Medical School, UTHSC
• Rohan Bhavane, Ph.D., Sr. Research Scientist, Pediatrics, Radiology, ����������� - Texas Children's Hospital
• Emily Corse, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Immunology, MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Xinfu Guan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, CNRC, �����������
• Jason Hou, M.D., Assistant Professor, �����������
• Ergun Sahin, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, �����������, Huffington Center on Aging
• Jennifer Spinler, Ph.D., Instructor, Pathology-Immunology, ����������� - Texas Children's Hospital
• Ruth Wooton-Kee, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Associate, Molecular and Cellular Biology,�����������
• Seung-Hee Yoo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, UTHSC, Altered Gut Microbiota and GI, Physiology In Circadian Clock Deficient Mice

2013 Pilot Feasibility Awardees

• Rebecca Berdeaux, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center
• Charles Darkoh, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Center for Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Division, University of Texas Health Science Center
• Moreshwar Desai, M.D., Assistant Professor, Pediatrics - Critical Care, �����������
• Jeremy Schaefer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, UTHSC School of Dentistry
• Robert Tsai, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center
• Xiangcang Ye, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Cancer Biology, MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Yong Zhou, Instructor, Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center
• Donna L. White, Ph.D., M.P.H, Assistant Professor, Medicine - Health Services Research & Gastroenterology and Hepatology, �����������

2012 Pilot Feasibility Awardees

• Karl-Dimiter Bissig, M.D., Ph.D., Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, �����������
• Zheng Jake Chen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UTHealth
• Yeonseok Chung, Ph.D., Center for Immunology and Autoimmune Diseases, Institute of Molecular Medicine, UTHealth, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston
• Sanjiv Harpavat, M.D., Ph.D., Clinical Postdoctoral Fellow, Pediatrics - GI, Liver, & Nutrition, �����������
• Joe Hyser, Ph.D., Instructor, Molecular Virology & Microbiology, �����������
• Fasiha Kanwal, M.D., MSHS, Associate Professor, Medicine - Gastroenterology and Hepatology, �����������
• Yuying Liu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics – Gastroenterology, UTHealth
• Anthony Maresso, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Molecular Virology and Microbiology, �����������
• Oluyinka O. Olutoye, M.D, Ph.D., Co-Director, Texas Children's Fetal Center, Co-Surgical Director, Neonatal ECMO Program, Associate Professor of Surgery, Pediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynecology, �����������
• Xin Xie, Ph.D., Instructor, Molecular and Cellular Biology, �����������

2011 Pilot Feasibility Awardees

• Joseph M. Hyser, Ph.D., Pediatric GI Post-Doctoral Fellow, Estes Laboratory, �����������
• Hongzhen Hu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
• Sun Kuk Kwon, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Center for Molecular Imaging, Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center
• Muralidhar Premkumar, MBBS, DCH, DNB, MRCPCH, Assistant Professor, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, �����������
• Kimberly S. Schluns, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Dept. of Immunology, Unit 901, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Heidi Karpen, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, �����������/Texas Children's Hospital

2010 Pilot Feasibility Awardees

• Yongde Luo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Center for Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Texas A&M Health Science Center
• Paula Hertel, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, GI, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Texas Children’s Hospital Liver Center, �����������
• Bin He, Ph.D., Instructor, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, �����������
• Yongcheng Song, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, �����������
• Michael Lorenz, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, UT Health Science Center at Houston
• Alexander Kots, Ph.D., Instructor, Cell Signaling, UT-Houston Institute of Molecular Medicine
• Ryan Himes, M.D., GI Fellow, Department of Pediatrics, �����������
• Donna L. White, Ph.D., MPH, Assistant Professor, Sections of Health Services Research & GI and Hepatology, �����������
• Shumei Song, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, GI, Hepatology & Nutrition, U.T. MDACC
• Shujuan Pan, Ph.D., Instructor, Department of Pathology, �����������
• Richard Kellermayer, M.D., Ph.D., Instructor, Pediatric GI, Hepatology & Nutrition, �����������

2009 Pilot Feasibility Awardees

• Junlan Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine, GI, Hepatology and Nutrition, UT Medical School at Houston
• Bruno P. Chumpitazi, M.D., MPH, Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, �����������
• Yuko Mori-Akiyama, M.D., Assistant Professor, Pathology, �����������
• Stacey Moore-Olufemi, M.D., Pediatric Surgery Fellow, UT Medical School at Houston
• Yuying Liu, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Pediatric GI, UT Medical School at Houston.

2008 Pilot Feasibility Awardees

• Nicola Brunetti-Pierri, M.D., Assistant Professor, Molecular and Human Genetics, �����������
• Yuko Mori-Akiyama, M.D., Assistant Professor, Molecular Genetics, UT-MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Karen S. Uray, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Pediatric Surgery, UT Medical School at Houston.
• Sushovan Guha, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, GI-Hepatology, & Nutrition, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Anne M. Hutson-Walker, Ph.D., Instructor, Pediatrics – GI Hepatology & Nutrition, �����������
• Shumei Song M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, GI Medicine & Nutrition, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Sharmila Anandasabapathy, M.D., Assistant Professor. GI, Hepatology and Nutrition, UT-MD Anderson Cancer Center

2005 Pilot Feasibility Awardees

• Charles S. Cox, Jr., M.D., Pediatric Surgery, UT-Houston Medical School
• Romi Ghose, Ph.D., Pediatrics-Gastroenterology & Nutrition, �����������
• W.A. Hoogerwerf, M.D., Internal Medicine, UT Medical Branch, Galveston
• Noah Shroyer, Ph.D., Molecular & Human Genetics, �����������
• Christina Thaller, MSc, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, �����������
• Alfredo Torres, Ph.D., Microbiology & Immunology; Pathology, UT Medical Branch, Galveston
• Ming Zhang, Ph.D., Assistant Molecular & Cellular Biology, �����������

2004 Pilot Feasibility Awardees

• Sarah Blutt, Ph.D., Molecular Virology and Microbiology, �����������
• Hashem El-Serag, M.D., MPH, Medicine, �����������, VAMC
• Michael Helmrath, M.D., Pediatric Surgery, �����������
• Milan Jamrich, Ph.D., Molecular & Cellular Biology, �����������

2003 Pilot Feasibility Awardees

• Emily Robinson, M.D., Surgery, UT-Houston Medical School
• Jiaren Sun, M.D., Ph.D., Microbiology, UT Medical Branch, Galveston
• LuAnn Thompson-Snipes, Ph.D., Pathology, �����������
• James Versalovic, M.D., Ph.D., Pathology, �����������
• Sundararajah Thevananther, Ph.D., Pediatrics, �����������
• Xiao-Feng Yang, M.D., Ph.D., Medicine-Rheumatology, �����������

2002 Pilot Feasibility Awardees

• Benny Chang, Ph.D., Molecular and Cellular Biology, �����������
• Li Fang, Ph.D., Neuroscience, UT Medical Branch, Galveston
• Charles Madden, Ph.D., Molecular Virology and Microbiology, �����������
• Pauline Ward, Ph.D., Molecular and Cellular Biology, �����������
• Yoshio Yamaoka, M.D., Ph.D., Medicine-GI, �����������

2001 Pilot Feasibility Awardees

• Michael Barry, Ph.D., Human and Molecular Genetics and Center for Gene Therapy, �����������
• Max Ciarlet, Ph.D., Molecular Virology and Microbiology, �����������
• John F. Di Mari, Ph.D., Medicine-GI, UT Medical Branch, Galveston
• Sunghoon Kim, M.D., Surgery, UT Medical Branch, Galveston
• Chantal A. Rivera, Ph.D., Pediatrics, �����������
• Mei X. Wu, M.D., Ph.D., Pathology, �����������

2000 Pilot Feasibility Awardees

• Mariella De Biasi, Ph.D., Neuroscience, �����������
• Hala El-Zimaity, M.D., Medicine-GI, �����������
• Ka Bian, M.D., Ph.D., Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, UT-Houston Medical School
• Krishna Rajarathnam, Ph.D., Biological Chemistry and Genetics and Center for Structural Biology, UT Medical Branch, Galveston

1999 Pilot Feasibility Awardees

• Russel Broaddus, M.D., Ph.D., Pathology, �����������
• Antonella Casola, M.D., Pediatrics, UT Medical Branch, Galveston
• Andrew P. Morris, Ph.D., Integrative Biology & Pharmacology, UT-Houston Medical School
• Antonia R. Sepulveda, M.D., Ph.D., Medicine-GI and Pathology, �����������