Jon I Isenberg, MD International Scholar Award

2009 Jon I Isenberg International Scholar Award

Takuya Inoue, MD, PhD

University of Chicago
Development of micorRNA biomarkers to access colon cancer risk in ulcerative colitis

I am extremely honored to be selected as the recipient of the 2009 Jon I. Isenberg International Scholar Award.  I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and its Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition (FDHN) for giving me the opportunity to further training abroad, particular in the laboratory of Dr. Eugene B. Chang at the University of Chicago.

I received my M.D from the National Defense Medical College in 1999.  After graduation of my medical school, I have been involved in clinical and laboratory based investigations that have focused on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer.  Recently, I completed my Ph.D at the Osaka Medical College in Japan under the mentorship of Professor Higuchi, who felt that I would benefit from further training in the laboratory of Dr. Chang at the University of Chicago.  Dr. Chang and I have discussed many research ideas, but I am most excited me about the study of microRNA in IBD-associated colon cancer.  This is a very innovative project that will teach me new technologies and experimental approaches which I can apply to many other questions when I return to Japan.

My work at the University of Chicago will also help develop important scientific interactions and collaboration between Osaka Medical College and the University of Chicago.  These groups share many common interests and both with benefit from the relationship I will have established with the Chicago research group. 

Again, I am extremely grateful for the support provided by the AGA/FDHN and the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology.

2007 Jon I. Isenberg International Research Scholar Award Recipients

Carmen Alonso

Massachusetts General Hospital

Role of the intestinal microbiota in the development of mucosal dendritic cells

It is a great honor to be one of the 2007 recipients of the AGA’s Jon I. Isenberg International Scholar Award. I want to express here my deepest gratitude to the AGA and FDHN for this recognition that certainly provides me with an excellent will undoubtedly give me the opportunity to improve my research career as well as my personal development.

I finished my medical school in 1998 and completed specialization in Gastroenterology under Prof. Malagelada’s Residence Programme at Vall d’Hebrón Hospital in Barcelona, Spain, between 1999 and 2003. Immediately after obtaining my Degree in Gastroenterology and for the following 4 years I started a fellowship in basic and clinical research in the Digestive Diseases Research Unit under the mentorship of Dr. Javier Santos.

My main research interest has been and still is mucosal inflammation and gastrointestinal neuro-immunology and, particularly, mast cells and dendritic cells, as key and front players in the regulation of local gut microenvironment. I am also focused on unravelling the role of stress and intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of mucosal inflammation-associated functional digestive disorders. During this period I have had the opportunity to work in the development of a new animal model for studying Irritable Bowel Syndrome learning basic and advanced laboratory techniques. I have also performed experimental studies in humans using in vivo jejunal segmental perfusion techniques to characterize the effect of various stimuli on epithelial function and local innate and acquired immune response in the gut.

My future research goal is to study in depth the mechanisms involved in the detection and processing of commensal bacteria as well as pathogens within the intestinal microenvironment by mucosal dendritic cells. Disturbance in the recognition of the intestinal microbiota and the alteration of the intestinal immune responses may contribute to the development and maintainance of common digestive diseases such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. To achieve this research goal, both my former research mentor and I agreed that studies being developed at Dr Hans Reinecker's laboratory seemed to fit perfectly with my interests. Joining his laboratory will surely allow me the best training in molecular biology and immune-imaging applied to this field as well as the possibility to interact with outstanding scientists with different backgrounds, leading to really interesting collaborations now and in the future.

Xavier Dray

John Hopkins School of Medicine

Feasibility and safety of omentoplasty and omentectomy in Natural Orifices Transluminal
Endoscopic Surgery

I am indebeted to the American Gastroenterology Association and the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition for selecting me as a 2007 recipient of the Jon I. Isenberg International Scholar Award.

The greater omentum has interesting metabolic, inflammatory, hemostatic, adhesive and neovascular proprieties widely used in laparoscopic surgery. Natural Orifices Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) is a new alternative minimally invasive surgery pursuing the goals of absent scarring, minimized post-operative pain and adhesions, shortened hospital stay and patients recovery, lowered costs compared to laparoscopy, especially in patients at-risk for conventional surgery (particularly in obese patients). Many NOTES procedures have been performed in large animals but the use of the greater omentum in wound-healing (omentoplasty) or removal (omentectomy) procedures has not been considered with this technique. We will evaluate the feasibility and safety of omentoplasty and omentectomy procedures in NOTES, regarding indications of potential clinical interest in human (gastric access closure procedure and treatment of the metabolic syndrome, respectively) in animal pilot studies. Specific innovative transgastric techniques will be developed and assessed in a swine model, under general anesthesia and sterile procedures. Procedures will be evaluated in terms of feasibility (success rates, duration) and safety (peritonitis, adhesions at the time of post-mortem examination two weeks after the procedure).

Through a prolonged outbound experience in one of the world leading teams on NOTES and innovative endoscopy, the support of the AGA and the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition will offer strong opportunities for my career and for the development of NOTES in France. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Division of Gastroenterology, Johns Hopkins Hospital for welcoming this project, with special attentions to Pr Anthony N. Kalloo and Dr Sergey V. Kantsevoy. I am also grateful to my French mentor (Pr Philippe Marteau), to my French institution (Assistance Publique – Hopitaux de Paris, Université Paris 7) and to my National Gastroenterology Society (Société Nationale Française de Gastro-Entérologie).

Rong Lin, MD

Mechanism and Organ Specificity of Digestive End Products Stimulation of Na/H
Exchange in vivo

As a child, I like dancing just because every dancer looks so beautiful on stage; when I grew up, dancing continued as my favorite passtime, but with a different meaning. I feel peace and passion when dancing. To be an investigator in life science is the most important choice I have ever made, I have the same feeling that I get when dancing, which gives me enthusiasm, inspiration and courage.

I am extremely honored to be selected as recipient of 2007 Jon I. Isenberg, MD, International Research Scholar Award, which offer me an outstanding stage to enjoy the pleasure of scientific basic research and continue making important contributions to GI research. I have been working in the field of stem cell research during last four years.  While, I think there are still many important questions to address in this area of research, I want to try another area of research that interests me so I can decide to what area of research and interest spot I want to devote myself for the next 10 years. I think this Award comes at exactly the right time in my gastroenterology career to try a second, new interesting field, in order to broaden my vision which will benefit my future basic research career. And I wish I can bring you many pleasant surprises through my efforts.

Finally, I wish to sincerely express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition (FDHN) and our national society of Gastroenterology, thanks for the outstanding contribution you have done for the international collaboration and young investigator training.

2006 Jon I. Isenberg International Research Scholar Award Recipients

María Cristina Almansa Menchero

Hospital Clínico Universitario San Carlos
Madrid, Spain
Mayo Clinic School of Medicine
Jacksonville, FL
Diffuse Eesophageal Spasm (DES): Natural History and Treatment Outcome

I do not know very well what to say in a moment like this, and maybe that is because getting this award has meant so much to me as it represents the reaching of not only a professional goal, but also the fulfillment of a dream. This dream started as a child. A child who always wanted to know more and would often wonder to herself: there is a reason for everything. For this reason I studied medicine which has, in turn, led me into different research projects in the gastroenterology field.

Now I have my chance. This year I will join some of the best doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. There I will learn from them the best research methodology as well as be involved in a very interesting project whose goal is to improve our knowledge in a not well defined disease, the Diffuse Esophageal Spasm. My American mentor Dr SR Achem is a well known specialist in non-cardiac chest pain who will be able to teach me a lot in this subject and will also be a good person who can guide me in the human part of the medical research.

For this chance to launch my career and open my mind I am truly grateful to the Spanish Society of Digestive Disease and to the AGA and its Foundation for Digestive and Health Nutrition who thought that maybe I would be a deserving recipient for one of the Jon Isenberg MD International Scholarship Awards.

In this letter I don’t want to forget to other people who have believed in me along my way: Professor Diaz Rubio, Dr. Ramírez Armengol, and Dr. Enrique Rey and of course my family and friends. To all of you thank you.

Koji Nozaki, MD, PhD

Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The University of Tokyo

Tokyo, JAPAN
Gastric cell lineage differentiation and Gastric carcinogenesis

It is my great honor to be selected as a recipient of 2006 Jon I. Isenberg, MD, International Research Scholar Award. I wish to sincerely express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and its Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition (FDHN). This award will assist me in furthering my research in the field of gastric disorders and gastric cancers, with unraveling risk factors and mechanisms that lead to the progression of precursor lesions to gastric cancers. This award will also extend my investigative vision in digestive disease with a focus on the etiology, pathogenesis and translational research opportunities in the study of gastric cancer. I appreciate the impact of AGA International Research Scholar Award also in the aspect of recognition as a promising and successful young researcher.

My research to date has focused on gastric disorders and gastric cancers. I graduated from The University of Tokyo in 1994. Following training as a surgeon, I had experiences in general surgery and gastroenterology. Interactions with Dr. Michio Kaminishi, a specialist in research on the association of bile reflux and gastric carcinogenesis in Tokyo University furthered an early interest in the study of gastric carcinogenesis. This was followed by research at the Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, under the direction of Dr. Masae Tatematsu – a specialist in animal models for carcinogenesis and pathology of gastric cancer and intestinal metaplasia. In collaboration with Dr. Tatematsu, I investigated the role of Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection in inducing intestinal metaplasia and the progression of gastric tumors.

Gastric adenocarcinoma remains the second largest cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. Early recognition and resection of gastric cancer remain the mainstays of gastric cancer therapy. While aggressive endoscopic screening procedures have led to earlier discovery and surgical removal of gastric cancers, little is known of the cellular etiology of gastric neoplasms from precedent metaplastic lineages.

Chronic injury for parietal cells leads to prominent changes in the composition of the gastric epithelia, with oxyntic atrophy, foveolar hyperplasia and mucous cell metaplasia. Investigations over the past decade have implicated mucous cell metaplasia in the setting of atrophic gastritis as critical to the development of gastric neoplasia. In particular, gastric neoplasia both in humans and in rodents is associated with spasmolytic polypeptide expressing metaplasia (SPEM), an antralizing metaplastic lineage in the gastric fundus. Dr. James R. Goldenring in the Department of Surgery at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine has focused on the induction of gastric metaplasia as a precursor to gastric carcinogenesis.

My project entitled “Gastric lineage in the Development of gastric Adenocarcinoma” has an aim to define the processes involved in metaplastic transition to SPEM in gastric lineages in the collaboration with Dr. James R. Goldenring. These studies should lead to insights into the processes leading to oxyntic atrophy-induced metaplasia, and should lead to the resolution of biomarkers with value in the screening of human populations at risk for developing gastric adenocarcinoma. The associated molecular changes evoked will offer potential novel targets for chemoprevention, early detection, and management of pre-cancer lesion and gastric cancers.

My mentors are world-renowned in the field of gastric cancer, and their expert advice greatly impact my career as I strive to develop as an investigator in this field. I have experience in both clinical treatment for gastric cancer and gastric cancer research, and the “Gastric lineage in the Development of gastric Adenocarcinoma” project is the perfect bridge for the each field of research. Receipt of the 2006 Jon I. Isenberg, MD International Research Scholar Award will greatly aid in the realization of this challenging goal. I will give my best effort to achieve the objectives of this Award, in the Vanderbilt Department of Surgery and the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, the first class cancer research and therapy institute in the United States of America.

Ratha-korn Vilaichone

California Pacific Medical Center

2005 Jon I. Isenberg International Research Scholar Award Recipients

Revital Kariv, MD

Case Western Reserve University
Beachwood, OH
Colon Cancer Secreted Proteins 1 and 2 (CCSP-1,2) as novel canidate serological markers for colonic neoplasia

I am honored to have been selected as one of the recipients of the Jon Isenberg International Scholar Award. This award gives me the opportunity to devote full time to research related to colon cancer. Cancers of the colon and rectum are the second leading cause of cancer incidence and of cancer death among adult Americans; yet, colorectal cancer is a preventable disease. Non invasive approaches should be developed in order to significantly increase the volume of screened population. I am currently working on the development of assays to test two potential novel serum markers for colorectal cancer. I hope that my data will increase our ability to prevent colorectal cancer and improve its outcome. This research period in one of the leading colorectal cancer research laboratories, will provide me with a set of skills and a background that will tremendously assist me in advancing colorectal cancer research and management in my home country, Israel. I am grateful to the AGA and the Israeli Gastrointestinal Society for their support, and extremely excited about having the opportunity to contribute to colon cancer research and practice.

Jose M Remes-Troche, MD

Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion, S.Z.
México City, México
Role of Adenosine in Noncardiac Chest Pain

It is a sincere honor and pleasure to be one of the 2005 recipients of the AGA Jon I. Isenberg International Scholar Award. This support will give me the opportunity to investigate the role of adenosine, visceral hyperalgesia and brain-gut interaction in the pathogenesis of non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP). We hypothesize that adenosine sensitizes the receptors and nerves and mediates visceral pain. If confirmed, this study may provide a pharmacological basis for the development of a novel treatment approach for patients with functional chest pain and the impetus for significant funding from NIH.

In addition, I firmly believe that there is a lot to know, and a lot to do for the people suffering from functional digestive disorders. That the development of neuro-gastroenterology in every country is imperative in order to improve the quality of medical attention to these patients, increase clinical and basic research in this area and to increment the knowledge as well as the number of physicians interested in functional digestive disorders. In my country even there exist several medical centers that offer a good care and management to these patients, only few scientists are currently dedicated to the care and study of functional digestive disorders. It is my believe that the kind of training and knowledge I can acquire will be the finest and will help me to improve in my professional and personal life as well as to achieve my career goals as a clinician and researcher and actively participate in the genesis of outstanding and relevant scientific knowledge and to develop the gastroenterology in my country.

Finally, please permit me to reiterate my deepest gratitude to have been afforded this most generous and outstanding opportunity.

Jesus K. Yamamoto-Furusho, MD, PhD

Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, MA
Characterization of Intermediates in NOD2 Signaling in the Pathophysiology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

I am writing this letter for describing the meaning of this award to my research career.

It is very important to get this support for the reasons listed below:

1) My postdoctoral research fellow will improve myself as a medical doctor and researcher. It consists in the study of the pathophysiology of the bowel inflammatory disease (IBD), so I will return to Mexico in order to continue the study of this disease due to nobody is doing research in this field.

2) I am also gastroenterologist, this training will help me to get experience and knowledge about how I can apply this research obtained from basic aspects of the disease to the clinical approach for improving diagnostic and therapeutic tools in patients with IBD.

3) After my postdoctoral training, I will contribute in the formation of new researchers and medical doctors in my country in order to create a solid group of scientists in several areas in the biomedical and clinical sciences interested in the research of this disease.

5) When I got some consolidation in this field in Mexico, I would like to do collaborations in other parts of Mexico and some countries of Latin America, United States and Europe.

At the end of my training, I will be working as researcher in the Department of Gastroenterology at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran in Mexico City, where there is a laboratory for basic and clinical research. I will continue to participate in AGA and IBD meetings in the future.

Thank you very much for this support to the American and Mexican Gastroenterology Associations.