I am a physician-scientist specializing in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with a strong clinical and research background. After completing both a gastroenterology and a research fellowship at the Mayo Clinic Rochester under the mentorship of Dr. William A. Faubion, I transitioned to a faculty position at Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals, where I secured extramural funding to advance my research in IBD. Currently, at the University of California, Davis, I lead a multidisciplinary team of experienced researchers and collaborators focused on IBD-related projects. As a gastroenterology faculty member at UC Davis, I treat complex IBD patients who have not responded to current therapies, providing firsthand insight into the urgent need for novel treatment strategies. Present management approaches primarily target inflammation through immunosuppressive therapies, including corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and monoclonal antibodies against TNF-α, IL12/23, adhesion molecules, and small molecules. However, many patients do not achieve sustained remission, and these treatments carry substantial risks and costs.

My long-term goal is to uncover the underlying mechanisms of IBD, enabling the development of targeted therapies—particularly in the realm of cell therapy—that can be evaluated in early-phase clinical trials. I am also focused on developing tools that can accurately assess patient responses to these therapies, which is critical for optimizing treatment outcomes. These advancements have the potential to significantly improve IBD treatment and may have broader applications for other immune-mediated diseases.