As part of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the GI Clinical Research Enterprise has access to cutting-edge technologies and laboratories. Our specialized centers ensure that every condition is given expert care and consideration by our team of top medical professionals and researchers.
Research Centers
Center for Mucosal Inflammation and Cancer (CMIC): Led by Keith Wilson, MD, the CMIC exists to expand the research on the inflammation to cancer sequence, functioning as the central hub for investigators interested in this sequence.
Digestive Diseases Research Center: A multidisciplinary center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center supported by the NIH to promote digestive diseases-related research in an integrative, collaborative manner.
Epithelial Biology Center: Under the leadership of Dr. Robert Coffey, MD, the EBC brings together investigators from multiple disciplines to address complex issues related to the physiology and pathophysiology of epithelial cells; one area of research is GI Cancer, EGF/TGF-alpha signaling.
Research Labs
Helicobacter pylori pathogenesis: Led by Dr. Richard Peek, MD, this lab researches gastric adenocarcinoma, a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide.
Inflammatory Carcinogenesis: Led by Christopher S. Williams, MD, PhD, the Williams Lab conducts research to decode intestinal epithelial repair programs in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colitis associated carcinoma (CAC).
International Collaboration: Dr. Michael Vaezi is collaborating with King Saud University in Saudi Arabia and their voice center regarding reflux related research.
Peek Lab: Identifying novel targets for therapeutic intervention against gastrointestinal pathogens