For More Information Contact:
Peggy LeBrun
IFFGD
Toll-Free: 888-964-2001
Email: plebrun@iffgd.org
MILWAUKEE, (April 12, 2011) Adrian Miranda, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, received the prestigious Junior Investigator – Basic Science award from the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) at the recent 9th International Symposium on Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders held in Milwaukee.
Dr. Miranda’s research focuses on visceral pain and functional bowel disorders, including understanding how an adverse, early life experience can affect pain sensitivity later in life.
The competition was open to investigators who have completed an MD or PhD, have demonstrated research activities, and are currently active in investigating basic or clinical aspects of functional GI or motility disorders. A selection committee comprised of internationally recognized experts in the field reviewed all the applications and selected six winners. In addition to Dr. Miranda, the other winners were:
Ronnie Fass, MD, FACP, FACG, Professor of Medicine, University of Arizona, Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, Tucson, AZ (Senior Investigator – Clinical Science)
Research Interest: Clarifying the underlying mechanisms of nonerosive reflux disease, functional heartburn, and noncardiac chest pain.
Million Mulugeta, MVSc, DVM, PhD, Adjunct Professor, Division of Digestive Diseases, School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA (Senior Investigator – Basic Science)
Research Interest: Creating a better understanding of the pathophysiology of stress-related functional gut disorders.
Samuel Nurko, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Children’s Hospital Boston, Boston, MA (Senior Investigator – Pediatrics)
Research Interest: Understanding and treating defecation problems in children and the mechanisms of fecal continence in children with congenital abnormalities.
Sudarshan Jadcherla, MD, FRCP, DCH, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Neonatology, Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition Sections, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Director, The Neonatal and Infant Feeding Disorders Program, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH (Senior Investigator – Pediatrics)
Research Interest: Developing innovative strategies to define the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms of feeding, GI symptoms, swallowing and airway protection.
Shaman Rajindrajith, MBBS, MD, MRCPCH, Consultant Pediatrician and Senior Lecturer in Pediatrics, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka (Junior Investigator – Pediatrics)
Research Interest: Providing a better understanding of the epidemiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders in children, particularly in the developing world.
IFFGD initiated its research awards program in 2003. Since then, it has given 30 research awards to both new and established investigators who have a record of research interest in basic mechanisms or clinical aspects of functional gastrointestinal and motility disorders.
“The program was developed to encourage young investigators to focus on functional GI and motility disorders and to acknowledge more senior investigators for their contributions to the field,” explained Nancy J. Norton, founder and president of IFFGD.
Based in Milwaukee, IFFGD is a nonprofit education and research organization that addresses issues surrounding life with functional GI and motility disorders. IFFGD helps improve care by enhancing awareness, educating and promoting research into treatments and cures for digestive disorders. Anyone wanting additional information can call IFFGD at 414-964-1799 or visit the website http://www.iffgd.org.
