Five outstanding young gastroenterologists receive AGA Foundation 2009 Research Scho...( Bethesda Maryland (May 27 2009) The...)

Bethesda, Maryland (May 27, 2009) The Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition has announced the 2009 American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Foundation Research Scholars. The grants have been awarded to five outstanding young gastroenterologists who promise to make significant strides in the field of gastrointestinal research.

"With the current economic times, research funding remains elusive for all scientists, especially those young scientists just beginning their career, despite their tremendous promise," said Sidney Cohen, MD, AGAF, chairman of the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition. "The AGA Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition remains committed to continuing to help fund these gifted scholars, enabling them to continue their research programs. The pace of discovery must be sustained, and it is up to those of us in the profession to make it happen. The 75 grants we give out to gifted researchers each year boldly represents our commitment to progress."

The 2009 AGA Research Scholars are:

• Gregory Austin, MD, MPH, University of Colorado, Denver: The effect of macronutrients on gastrointestinal hormones and gastric emptying in obesity
• Michele Battle, PhD, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee: Determining the role that GATAs play in intestinal development and function
• Rohit Loomba, MD, MHSc, University of California, San Diego (Designated RSA in Geriatric Gastroenterology funded by Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.): Sex-specific effect of alcohol and obesity and adipocytokines in geriatric fatty liver disease in a prospective population-based cohort: Rancho Bernardo Study
• Iryna Pinchuk, PhD, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston: Colonic CD90+ myofibroblasts/fibroblasts: implication in the enhanced expansion of CD$+ CD25 high FoxP3+ regulatory T cells during colorectal cancer progression
• Andrew Tai, MD, PhD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor: Functional characteri
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