Digestive Diseases Research

NIH T32 Training Grant

UCLA and the VA West Los Angeles are the home to a successful, ongoing National Institutes of Health (NIH) - T32 GI training grant which has been continuously funded for the last 50 years to train the next generation of academicians and physician-scientists in digestive diseases, digestive pathophysiology, and/or gastrointestinal (GI) health.

This GI T32 grant funds the career development and mentored research of GI fellows (adult and pediatric) and other MD or PhD trainees in related GI fields (GI surgery, GI pathology, physiology, and nutrition) in basic, translational, clinical, and outcomes-health services research. Six training slots per year are funded by the NIH. Written applications for funding are prepared by prospective trainees and their chosen, experienced and funded mentors, from a pool of more than 35 NIH-approved mentors at UCLA or the VA West LA (WLA VAMC). The written proposals are reviewed by an executive committee (EC) of ten senior investigators in a peer review process to determine which trainees will be funded. The directors of this T32 grant and the EC are all funded physician-scientists or basic scientists who are very knowledgeable about career development and mentoring others in GI research. They are also in leadership positions of departments or divisions at UCLA or WLA VAMC and are committed to help train others through mentored research. If approved by the NIH, trainees can be funded for career development (such as a PhD through the UCLA STAR Program or masters degree through the UCLA Graduate School) and mentored research for one to three years. Over the last five decades, many successful academicians, physician-scientists,  and leaders in GI and related fields have been trained with funding from this NIH T32 grant. The current grant has ongoing  funding through June 30, 2026.

Dennis M. Jensen, MD

Dennis M. Jensen, MD

Principal Investigator
  • Principal investigator for 23 years
  • Dr. Jensen is an endoscopic, clinical, and outcomes investigator funded by the NIH, the VA Merit Review Research Service, and GI Foundations
  • Dr. Jensen's research interests are in GI hemorrhage, general GI disorders, GI randomized controlled trials, and technology assessment
  • Recipient of the Rudolph V. Schindler Award (2012)
Martin G. Martin, MD

Martin G. Martin, MD

Co-Director
  • Professor of Pediatrics at UCLA
  • Research interests include investigating the molecular basis of genetic diarrheal disorders associated with intestinal failure, and intestinal stem cell research
  • Funded by the NIH including RO1s, R21s, and a U01
  • He is a successful laboratory mentor of many pediatric GI fellows who are academic faculty
Joseph R. Pisegna, MD

Joseph R. Pisegna, MD

Co-Director
  • Clinical, translational, and basic science researcher with interests in neuroendocrine tumors, colon and pancreatic cancer, obesity and NASH
  • Dr. Pisegna has grants from the VA Merit Review Research Service, NIH, and VA cooperative trials branch
  • Dr. Pisegna is the chief of the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Parenteral Nutrition at the Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Wadsworth VA (WLA VAMC)
Yvette Taché, PhD

Yvette Taché, PhD

Co-Director
  • Renowned, basic science, laboratory researcher in neuroscience with NIH and VA grants
  • Recipient of the Distinguished Award for Women in Neurogastroenterology, American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society (2021)
  • Recipient of the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor (2016)
  • Recipient of the William S. Middleton Award (2015)
  • Recipient of the AGA Institute Council in Neurogastroenterology & Motility Section Research Mentor Award (2013)

Contact us

For administrative questions or instructions about applications as a prospective trainee or new mentor, contact Nok Suvanamas at [email protected].

For scientific, mentoring, or physician-scientist questions, contact Dr. Jensen at [email protected]

 

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