Research Programs

IFFGD's support of research is directed to the field of functional GI and motility disorder researchers and the community of patients and families that are directly affected. So much more remains to be done - and together we are the ones who can do it. The power for change is in each of our hands.

IFFGD has conducted and published important surveys on IBS, challenging conventional assumptions that minimize IBS, and raising awareness of the needs of those affected by IBS.

Research Surveys

• IBS Patients: Their Illness Experience and Unmet Needs (pdf) Conducted by: IFFGD in collaboration with the UNC Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders.
• IBS in the Real World Survey (pdf) Conducted by: IFFGD.

Our direct support of research began in 2003. There are many deserving basic and clinical investigators who we hope to support someday. Here is a list of those we have, to date.

Research Awards

• Fernando Azpiroz, MD, PhD, Hospital General Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
• Adil E. Bharucha, M.D., Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
• Klaus Bielefeldt, M.D., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, PA.
• Sylvie Bradesi, PhD, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
• Terry Buchmiller-Crair, M.D., Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
• Caroline Elder Danda, Ph.D., University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS
• Dan L. Dumitrascu, M.D., Ph.D., University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Romania
• Shaheen Hamdy, MRCP, PhD, Hope Hospital, Salford, United Kingdom
• Paul E. Hyman, MD, Dept. of Pediatrics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA
• Emeran Mayer, M.D., UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
• Bruce D. Naliboff, PhD, UCLA Center for Neurovisceral Sciences and Women's Health, Los Angeles, CA
• Michael Pezzone, MD, PhD, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
• Satish Rao, M.D., University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
• Rachel Rosen, MD, MPH, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA
• Javier Santos, M.D., Institute de Recerca Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
• Miguel Saps, M.D., Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
• Jyoti N. Sengupta, Ph.D., Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
• Magnus Simrén, MD, PhD, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Göteborg, Sweden
• Bridget R Southwell, PhD, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
• Brennan M. R. Spiegel, MD, MSHS, West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
• Martin Storr, M.D., University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• Yvette Taché, PhD, West LA-VA Medical Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
• Miranda A. L. van Tilburg, PhD, UNC Center for Functional GI and Motility Disorders, Chapel Hill, NC
• William E. Whitehead, Ph.D., UNC Center for functional GI and Motility Disorders, Chapel Hill, NC

Research Grants

• IBS Susceptibility Genotypes and Gastroenteritis Exposure in the Developing Nation Setting. Primary Investigator: Douglas R. Morgan, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC
• Role of Eosinophil Activation on Mucosal Inflammation in Diarrhea-IBS Patients. Primary Investigator: Javier Santos, MD, PhD, Senior Staff Physician, Hospital General Universitario Valle de Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
• Maternally Inherited mtDNA Sequence Variants, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Other Functional Disorders. Primary Investigator: Miranda A.L. Van Tilburg, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC
• Neuroenteric Research Program. Primary Investigator: Braden Kuo, M.D., Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
• Pediatric Consortium for Research in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. Primary Investigator: Carlo Di Lorenzo, M.D., Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH

Become part of the process of discovery. Play a vital role in fulfilling the promise of a healthier future. Donate now to IFFGD.