AGA Research Foundation announces 2013 research scholars

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Research Foundation is pleased to announce its 2013 research scholars. This year's honorees are outstanding young gastroenterologists working toward independent careers in gastroenterology, hepatology or related areas, and with this award, their research time will be protected.

"These young researchers are the future of our field. AGA is committed to supporting young scholars who are paving the way for promising research developments and new therapies," said Nicholas F. LaRusso, MD, AGAF, chair of the AGA Research Foundation. "This year's honorees have embarked on their extraordinary research careers and demonstrate exceptional promise, and we look forward to seeing what they will accomplish with the help of this funding."

The 2013 AGA research scholars are:

• Edaire Cheng, MD, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Eosinophilic Esophagitis Fibrogenesis.
• Barham Abu Dayyeh, MD, MPH, Mayo Clinic, Rochester; Gastric and Hypothalamic Functions in Human Satiation.
• Hamed Khalili, MD, MPH, Massachusetts General Hospital; Oral Contraceptive Use in the Etiopathogenesis of Crohn's Disease.

AGA is also pleased to announce the AGA Institute President's Research Scholar honoree, a new award that will be presented every two years to an applicant of exceptional merit:

• Carol M. Aherne, PhD, University of Colorado, Denver; Epithelial Netrin-1 Controls CD4 Th1 T Cell Trafficking to the Inflamed Intestine.

The prestigious Research Scholar Awards provide $90,000 per year for two years (total $180,000) to the honorees to support their research. The goal of the Research Scholar Awards is to guarantee the perpetuation of strong science through the encouragement of young physician investigators and, ultimately, to improve patient care through digestive diseases research.

These extremely competitive awards ensure that bright, young scientists devote their careers to advancing the field of digestive health through research. Awards are based on the qualifications of the candidate, the quality of the candidate's research proposal and the commitment of the candidate's institution to support the required protected time for his or her research and adequate laboratory space.