The National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases

Sajneet Khangura, M.D.

3^rd year

Residency: Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Medical Degree: Government Medical College, Patiala, India

My research interests include studying the phenomenon of rebound acid hypersecretion after withdrawal of proton pump inhibitors(PPI). PPI-induced hypergastrinemia produces functional and morphologic changes of the oxyntic mucosa. Although highly effective at controlling acid and acid related symptoms during therapy, the drugs may exacerbate the underlying disease process that may manifest after discontinuation of the treatment leading to inability to withdraw the PPIs. We will study the effects of combination of CCK-2 (gastrin) receptor antagonist and PPI to prevent this rebound acid hypersecretion which would prevent short and long term side effects of PPIs.
Other research interests include studying the pathophysiology of Graft-Versus-Host-Disease to assist in developing focused and effective diagnostic and therapeutic options that are less invasive and have fewer systemic side effects. Additional area of clinical interest is to study gastrointestinal manifestations and complications of chronic granulomatous disease.

Apurva Trivedi, M.D.

3^rd year

Residency: Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC
Medical Degree: University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile AL
BS: Duke University, Durham, NC

My main research interest is the investigation of mid-gut carcinoid tumors. Carcinoid tumors are rare gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors. The rareness of sporadic carcinoid tumors has prevented large scale studies on genetic analysis and on the development of reliable diagnostic modalities for early detection. We propose to study the natural history of the familial form of carcinoid tumors. These patients are members of families with a strong family history of the disease and, once recruited, undergo a battery of testing using biochemical, endoscopic, and imaging modalities. Phenotypic detection of affected family members and collection of DNA from multiple kindreds can facilitate possible identification of a culprit gene. Finally, evaluation and follow-up of affected members over time can give invaluable information regarding the natural history and the relative utility of surveillance methods for familial mid-gut carcinoids. Hopefully, the information gained form this study can be used in the management of sporadic carcinoid and other familial neoplasms.

Preet Bagi, M.D.

2^nd year

Residency: University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, MD
Medical Degree: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL

My main research focus is to design a study using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in patients with refractory IBD under the hypothesis that MSCs can repair intestinal mucosal damage. An additional study goal is to elucidate the immunologic pathways that lead to altered mucosal immunity in IBD. In addition, I am working on describing the GI complications that occur in Behcet’s disease which can lead to IBD-like manifestations that respond to typical IBD therapy. Furthermore, I am examining the use of the wireless SmartPill© capsule as a novel tool to measure gastric pH for use in patients with gastric acid hypersecretory conditions and to evaluate its potential application for use in the management of patients with GERD. Finally, I am documenting the GI complications of various hyper IgE syndromes which lead primarily to eosinophilic infiltration of the esophagus and am also describing the GI manifestations of cystinosis patients who develop varying degrees of pancreatic insufficiency.

Christopher Koh, M.D.

My gastrointestinal research focuses on studying the immunopathogenesis of food allergy and eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis). In addition, my other projects include hereditary diffuse gastric cancer syndrome, and novel therapies for hepatitis C and D.

Practicing Gastroenterologist, Decatur, AL

Staff Physician, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA

Transplant Hepatologist, Baylor All Saints Medical Center, Fort Worth, TX

Chief, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program, Washington Hospital Center

Chief, Gastroenterology Section, VA Maryland Health Care System, Department of Veterans Affairs
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Practicing Gastroenterologist, Pensacola, FL

Staff Clinician, Mucosal Immunity Section, Laboratory of Host Defenses, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health

Practicing Gastroenterologist, Los Angeles, CA