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 Disease 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.
Peek Lab: Identifying novel targets for therapeutic intervention against gastrointestinal pathogens
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.