The TMC Digestive Disease Center Enrichment Programs support innovative ideas and new investigators in digestive diseases research and foster collaboration. The center draws together a multidisciplinary group of investigators, including basic scientists with proven track records of success, and well-coordinated clinical programs dealing with pediatric and adult GI patients.
GI Research Forum
Our weekly GI Research Forum encourages interactions among basic and clinical investigators. DDC members may present research results, clinical studies, and work-in-progress in an informal setting that will be conducive to discussion and information exchange.
As part of this program, national leaders in GI research are often invited to speak to the group. Any member of the DDC may suggest seminar speakers and act as faculty host, after approval by the Internal Advisory Committee of the DDC.
Questions regarding the GI Research Forum or suggestions for potential topics and speakers can be directed to Noah Shroyer, Ph.D., head of our Research Forum Committee, or Sara Tristan, TMC DDC administrator.
11th Annual Frontiers in Digestive Diseases Symposium - Feb. 29, 2020
The 11th Annual Frontiers in Digestive Disease Symposium, “The Gut as an Endocrine Organ - Implications for GI and Liver Disease” was held Feb. 29, 2020 in the Howland Auditorium at the Children’s Nutrition Research Center. The event included breakout sessions with speakers as well as a special breakout session with Gary Wu, M.D., Ferdinand G. Weisbrod Professor in Gastroenterology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. See list of speakers. (link to brochure below).
Poster winners included:
- 1st Place: Kai Li Tan, Ph.D., “The entric nervous system drives intestinal epithelium differentiation through non-synaptic signaling mechanism”
- 2nd Place: Huanan "Frederick" Shi, “Intermittent fasting lowers blood pressure in a rat model of hypertension by modulating the gut microbiota”
- 3rd Place: Eva Preisner, Ph.D., “Characterizing human intestinal communities for suppression of Clostridioides difficile”
Planning is underway for the 12th Annual Frontiers in Digestive Diseases Symposium, scheduled for early 2021.
Directions to the GI Research Forum
The forum is held every Thursday during the academic year. It takes place at 4 p.m. at the Baylor College of Medicine campus in the DeBakey Building, Room M112 unless otherwise stated.
Questions regarding the GI Research Forum or suggestions for potential topics and speakers can be directed to Noah Shroyer, Ph.D., head of our seminar committee, or Sara Tristan, TMC DDC administrator. Download a printable map to M112.
Past Annual Frontiers in Digestive Diseases Symposiums
(2020) 11th Annual: The Gut as an Endocrine Organ: Implications for GI and Liver Disease
(2019) 10th Annual: Infection and Injury as a Precursor to GI and Liver Cancer
(2018) 9th Annual: Frontiers of the Microbiome Gut-Brain Axis
(2017) 8th Annual: Emerging Significance of Bile Acids in Digestive and Liver Diseases
(2016) 7th Annual: Frontiers in Regenerative Medicine in Digestive and Liver Disease
(2015) 6th Annual: Frontiers in IBD 2015
(2014) 5th Annual: The Gut Microbiome in GI Health & Disease
(2013) 4th Annual: Stem Cells in GI Health & Disease
(2011) 3rd Annual: Epigenetics in GI Health and Disease
GI Focus Group Meetings for Junior Investigators
The TMC Digestive Disease Center sponsors semi-monthly meetings between junior investigators to present research projects and collaborate on advancements in digestive disease-related research. These meetings are organized by Jennifer Spinler, Ph.D. To join the mailing list or attend an upcoming focus group meetings, contact Dr. Spinler or call (832) 824-8251.
