Message from the Chiefs

Since 1953, the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases at UCLA has been a national and international leader in gastroenterological research, clinical care, and training. Working across traditional disciplinary boundaries, our scientists unravel the mysteries around digestive diseases and work with our clinicians to translate fundamental discoveries into new treatments and prevention strategies. Our doctors provide state-of-the-art care for both common and rare GI conditions, drawing patients from throughout Southern California and around the world. Our training program is a source of pride for our institution, and we have prepared many of the top clinical and research gastroenterologists who are currently making a difference at top institutions across the world.
 
These are exciting times, and we are equipped with ever-more-powerful tools that we can use to learn about digestive diseases at the molecular and genetic levels. We can now apply that knowledge towards developing more effective treatments. Researchers in our division are leading the way in elucidating the underlying pathology contributing to inflammatory bowel diseases as we move toward precision health and individually targeted treatments for these chronic conditions. Among the most promising areas of scientific inquiry is the study of the human microbiome and its effect on health. To fuel more rapid progress in this field, the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center was established and will focus on the microbiome’s role in disease prevention and the body’s immune response with the goal of developing new treatments. Our division has pioneered the understanding of the connection between the gut and the brain, and our faculty are part of an international effort to map the colon. UCLA’s leading endoscopists are making procedures increasingly less invasive, and we have registered GI dietitians who work closely with patients on their nutritional needs. Our faculty members are leading a campaign to increase life-saving colorectal cancer screening for our community and are spearheading efforts to reduce low-value care.
 
These are just a few of the ways that our division is making a difference. We have much to be proud of as we celebrate years of excellence, but we are looking forward — confident that we are just getting started and that even greater achievements lie ahead.

Sincerely,