UCLA Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases
Redefining Digestive Care. Pioneering Innovation. Changing Lives.
Established in 1953, the Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases is a world leader in the diagnosis, treatment, and research of digestive and liver diseases. Through its outstanding clinical, research, and training programs, the division advances innovative approaches to preventing, understanding, and treating disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and biliary system.
Our commitment to exceptional patient care is strengthened by a culture of academic excellence and collaboration. As part of the UCLA Health system, we leverage the expertise, technology, and resources of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, and UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center to deliver the highest standard of care and drive medical innovation.
Find Your Care
To find out more about our gastroenterology and hepatology services, call 310-855-7002.
Expert care for digestive health
Training tomorrow's GI leaders
The UCLA GI Fellowship Program trains future leaders in gastroenterology, hepatology, and digestive disease research. Among the largest programs of its kind in the nation, it provides comprehensive training to 23 fellows at any given time, preparing them to excel in patient care, scientific discovery, and academic medicine.
A legacy of discovery
Research has been a mainstay of our division since it was established in 1953, and we have grown to become a world leader in contributing new digestive diseases-related knowledge through scientific studies. Our faculty publish extensively and play prominent roles in national meetings, advancing the state of the science and ushering in cutting-edge treatments that improve and save lives.
Latest news
$4M NIH grant to study probiotic treatment for obesity
Dr. Arpana Church has received a $4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate whether a specific probiotic blend can influence the communication between the gut, the microbiome, and the brain in adults with obesity. The five-year project, Probiotic Regulation of Gut-Microbiome–Brain Interactions in Obesity and Eating Behaviors (PROBE), is funded by the NIH’s National Center for Complementary & Integrative Health.
New Microbiome Vaccine Program aims to harness gut microbes and immune system against cancer-promoting bacteria
UCLA has launched the Microbiome Vaccine Program (MVP), an innovative collaboration between the Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center and the California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy (CIII) focused on developing new ways to prevent and treat cancers linked to disease-causing gut bacteria. The program brings together experts in microbiology, immunology, gastroenterology, and translational science to explore how the gut microbiome and immune system can be harnessed to combat cancer.
Brain aging may be detected decades before symptoms appear, with links to gut health
A new UCLA study, led by Dr. Arpana Church, has found a connection between how quickly the brain ages and the bacteria and chemical byproducts found in the gut, offering a fresh clue into what drives brain aging long before symptoms appear.
Gut health explained
Dr. Lynn Shapiro Connolly recently shared her expertise on gut health, the microbiome, and the mind-gut connection as a featured guest on the UCLA Health Medically Speaking podcast with Dr. Eve Glazier. Together, they unpack how the gut and its bacteria work, and why there’s no such thing as one perfect microbiome. They also discuss common myths surrounding the “leaky gut,” the limitations of at-home microbiome testing, and why the gut-brain connection may play a bigger role in overall health than many people realize.
Inside the endoscopic revolution in weight loss
Endoscopic bariatric therapies are transforming the treatment of obesity by offering effective, minimally invasive alternatives to medications and traditional surgery. These innovative procedures help patients achieve meaningful weight loss with a strong record of safety and efficacy. At UCLA Health, advanced endoscopic techniques such as endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), transoral outlet reduction (TORe), and metabolic endoscopic therapies are expanding options for patients with obesity and for those experiencing weight regain after bariatric surgery.
Colorectal cancer and The Couric Effect: Awareness to Action and Advocacy
Dr. Eve Glazier, joined by Dr. Fola May, welcomes award-winning journalist Katie Couric to the UCLA Health Medically Speaking Podcast, for an ongoing conversation and call to action for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. They discuss what’s changed in the conversation around colorectal cancer, why screening matters more than ever, the symptoms people should never ignore, and how to choose among today’s screening options.
Quality of relationships may be just as important to physical health as traditional risk factors
Strong social relationships, particularly high-quality marriages, may help protect against obesity by influencing a complex communication system between the brain and gut, according to new research lead by Dr. Arpana Church.
Beyond the Scope, Winter 2026
Beyond the Scope, the division's annual newsletter, provides an in‑depth look at the groundbreaking research led by our physician‑scientists and the clinical advances that continue to shape our evidence-based, interdisciplinary approach to patient care. Explore the latest updates in our Winter 2026 issue.