Dr. Cho's primary research interests are in the role of the gut microbiome in disease states, particularly obesity, colorectal cancer, and metabolic liver diseases. Prior investigations that have studied the effects of gut microbes on health and disease were limited by culture based microbiological techniques. We use high-throughput parallel pyrosequencing techniques to generate large genomic databases. These sequences are interrogated and studied using advanced bioinformatics to compare the taxonomic and metagenomic characteristics of normal controls and pathologic cases in both human and murine models of disease.
Dr. Francois studies both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for cancer at the population level using biomolecular techniques. This molecular epidemiology approach has focused specifically on the role of adiposity in the development of esophageal and colon cancer. His work has linked gastric adipokines (in particular leptin and ghrelin) with the development of reflux-related esophageal pathology, and by extension has evaluated the effect of H. pylori induced mucosal inflammation on adipokine production. In the setting of obesity he has also found key differences in colon pathology according to gender and acculturation. Based on these findings his research group continues to evaluate the role of visceral adiposity across racial/ethnic groups as well as gender in the development of colorectal cancer.
Dr. Javitt studies non-invasive tests for monitoring the progression of chronic viral hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through the measurement of serum bile acids. Using a"point of service" instrument, his group will be monitoring patients with chronic viral hepatitis before and during anti-viral therapy to correlate the findings with other clinical parameters to determine progression or resolution of the liver disease. Another active area of Dr Javitt's research is the study of specific biomarkers for drug hepatotoxicity, specifically focusing on the azoles. In particular, his interest is in the utility of biomarkers as predictors of liver injury in patients exposed to particular hepatoxins.
Dr. Poles received his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from UCLA. His primary research interests reflect this training and examine the interaction between HIV and the mucosal immune system. He has studied the role of both the adaptive and innate immune responses against HIV. He is currently funded to study the role of the local mucosal microbiota in mucosal inflammation and their mutual effect on mucosal HIV pathogenesis. Clinical research projects deriving from his interest in mucosal pathogenesis include studies on gastrointestinal symptomatology in HIV disease. Serving as the Division of Gastroenterology Program Director has strengthened Dr. Poles’ secondary research interest in modes and mechanisms resulting in improvement in trainee education.
Dr. Sigal's research interests include chronic viral hepatitis and complications of cirrhosis. He has an active clinical trials program for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C using both platelet growth factors, small molecules, and new forms of interferon. He has pariticapated in many of the recent trials for the treatment of the various complications of cirrhosis, including hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, and variceal bleeding. Active area of research innvolve treatment of hyponatremia, SBP, and the relationship of hepatic encephalopathy with small intesttinal bacterial overgrowth and quality of life.
Dr. Weinshel's primary research interests are in medical education and communication systems improvements, specifically utilizing objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) to improve the documentation and communication of critical endoscopic and patient care information. She also has an interest in bariatric surgery and obesity. She leads a monthly research group where multiple ongoing projects study the medical effects of bariatric surgeries. Current projects include the effects of lap-band holidays, a project to evaluate the reversibility of brain dysfunction in diabetic adolescents who have lost weight after surgery, and the improvement of dyslipidemia and hypertension in diabetic adolescents who undergo bariatric surgery.
Division of Gastroenterology: 212-263-7109
