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Pediatric GI, Liver and Nutrition Research

Saint Louis University School of Medicine's Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition is deeply invested in pioneering research. A global leader in the field, the team has won national and international awards — accolades that further solidify the division's reputation for research excellence and its drive to improve patient outcomes. 

National Recognition and Awards

  • National Leadership
    • President, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN)
    • Chapter chair, American Liver Foundation
    • Committee membership, Institute of Child Nutrition Research Committee and NASPGHAN Nutrition, Motility and Integrative Medicine Committee
    • Professional memberships, CF Foundation, AGA and AASLD
  • Key Honors and Awards
    • 2023 Grand and John B. Watkins Award, NASPGHAN
    • 2023 Transplant Visionaries Challenge Award, American Society of Transplantation
    • Castle Connolly Top Doctor (multiple years)
    • Additional distinctions: Gerard Odell Prize (2021), International Standley J. Dudrick Award (ASPEN), Naomi Judd Award for Liver Diseases Research (2019)

Research Achievements and Impact

  • Regional Leadership: one of only a few U.S. pediatric centers participating in the Hepatitis B Research Network
  • Clinical Innovation: first regional pediatric clinical trials for Harvoni (hepatitis C treatment)
  • Specialized Centers: world-renowned Nutritional Disorders Center and the region's only dedicated Pediatric GI Motility Program
  • Outcome Excellence: research-driven Liver Transplant Program maintaining a 100% first-year survival rate
  • Active Investigations: collaborative research on MASH and MASALD

Extramural Funding

The division has a very active research program with significant extramural support:

  • National Institutes of Health: R01, R21, P01 and U01 grants
  • Collaborative Partners: industry and foundation partners

Innovation and Technology Transfer 

  • U.S. Patent No. 6,403,646
  • U.S. Provisional Filings
    • No. 63/413,988 
    • No. 63/136,165
    • No. 63/603,995

Researchers in the News