Spotlight on Research

The Digestive Diseases Center Translational Core with Joel Pekow, MD

The Digestive Diseases Center Translational Core with Joel Pekow, MD

One of the most important and enduring contributions of the GI Research Foundation (the Foundation) may also be one of the least well understood. For a decade, the Foundation has supported the Digestive Diseases Center (DDC) Translational Core, an engine that drives transformative research and scientific discovery for all investigators at the University of Chicago.

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Eating Restriction and Inflammatory Bowel Disease, with Courtney Schuchmann, RD

Eating Restriction and Inflammatory Bowel Disease, with Courtney Schuchmann, RD

Everyone has overindulged or eaten a food that didn’t agree with them. For most people, this means that the next time they are offered spicy chili or rich dessert, they politely decline or make a different choice. But for patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, this experience can be all too common—if nearly every time you eat anything, it hurts, limiting what foods you eat makes sense. But it can also be a slippery slope, leading to extremely restricted approaches to food.

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The GastroIntestinal Research Foundation Awards Grants to Two Cancer Research Powerhouses

The GastroIntestinal Research Foundation Awards Grants to Two Cancer Research Powerhouses

CHICAGO, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Treating and curing cancer remains an urgent health research priority. The GastroIntestinal Research Foundation (the Foundation) has made bold and innovative grant awards to advance the development of immunotherapies and personalized vaccines for colorectal cancer. With a focus on improving patient outcomes, it has identified and evaluated science from across the country, including two recent awards to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Mayo Clinic.

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Take a Research Learning Journey With Us

Take a Research Learning Journey With Us

Ever since becoming the Executive Director of the GastroIntestinal Research Foundation (Foundation), all my Zoom calls with my family start with a question from my brother with Crohn’s, “Have you found a cure yet?” While I can’t answer yes, I can tell him about the incredible research the Foundation is funding and its promise of a cure for Crohn’s and other digestive diseases. I value his continued urging to stay focused on the mission.

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Season’s Eatings: How digestive diseases patients can cope with the challenges of the holidays, with Courtney Schuchmann, Registered Dietitian at the University of Chicago Medicine

Season’s Eatings: How digestive diseases patients can cope with the challenges of the holidays, with Courtney Schuchmann, Registered Dietitian at the University of Chicago Medicine

From Halloween through the New Year, it can feel like every gathering – from family dinners to holiday parties and cookie exchanges – centers around food. What should be a happy holiday season often becomes a challenging ‘food season’ for those living with inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, Celiac disease, liver disease, pancreatic disease, or those struggling with metabolic and weight-related concerns. Fortunately, Courtney Schuchmann, registered dietitian at the University of Chicago Medicine Digestive Diseases Center, has some helpful guidance.

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Research Spotlight: How Do We Assess Cancer Risk, and Prevent Cancer, and Improve Mortality? Featuring Sonia Kupfer, MD

Research Spotlight: How Do We Assess Cancer Risk, and Prevent Cancer, and Improve Mortality? Featuring Sonia Kupfer, MD

Explains Kupfer, “Number one, we want to understand better how some of these chemopreventive agents are working. For example, there is good clinical-trials data that aspirin prevents colon cancer, specifically in Lynch syndrome. Now, we can look at how it works, and target those pathways. Secondly, we can determine who may respond best to which therapy, or who may have more response, and use that information to build more robust treatments. That’s the big vision here. But it’s early days right now.”

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Other Recent News

Visceral: Podcast Episode Four – IBD or IBS…or Both?

Visceral: Podcast Episode Four – IBD or IBS…or Both?

Confusingly, similar acronyms describe two very different conditions of the lower GI tract: IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). IBD is often treated with biologic medical therapies that are infused, injected, or taken orally.

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The Digestive Diseases Center Translational Core with Joel Pekow, MD

The Digestive Diseases Center Translational Core with Joel Pekow, MD

One of the most important and enduring contributions of the GI Research Foundation (the Foundation) may also be one of the least well understood. For a decade, the Foundation has supported the Digestive Diseases Center (DDC) Translational Core, an engine that drives transformative research and scientific discovery for all investigators at the University of Chicago.

read more
Plant a Seed of Hope – Support Digestive Diseases Research Today

Plant a Seed of Hope – Support Digestive Diseases Research Today

As we embrace the spring season, we are reminded of the power of growth and new beginnings. At the GI Research Foundation, we are committed to planting the seeds of hope for those affected by digestive diseases. Please take 20 minutes today to protect what’s important to you and consider making a planned gift to join us in this crucial mission.

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Eating Restriction and Inflammatory Bowel Disease, with Courtney Schuchmann, RD

Eating Restriction and Inflammatory Bowel Disease, with Courtney Schuchmann, RD

Everyone has overindulged or eaten a food that didn’t agree with them. For most people, this means that the next time they are offered spicy chili or rich dessert, they politely decline or make a different choice. But for patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, this experience can be all too common—if nearly every time you eat anything, it hurts, limiting what foods you eat makes sense. But it can also be a slippery slope, leading to extremely restricted approaches to food.

read more
Gut-Friendly Recipe: Quinoa-Pistachio Stuffed Artichokes

Gut-Friendly Recipe: Quinoa-Pistachio Stuffed Artichokes

Artichokes, are actually the large flower of a plant in the thistle family, and are a fun and hearty vegetable choice during the “shoulder season,” before Spring is in full bloom. This unique recipe features many ingredients that can be tweaked to meet individual dietary concerns—for example, for those who need to eat gluten-free, omit the breadcrumbs and add more lentils and quinoa. No matter how it is adapted, this recipe is a fresh, green, and impressive Mediterranean diet-inspired main course, suitable for both a weeknight dinner or a holiday table.

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Board Spotlight: Brad Peterson

Board Spotlight: Brad Peterson

Many people bring relevant experience when they join the GI Research Foundation Board of Directors, but new member Brad Peterson has the distinction of previously serving as the longest-tenured President of its Associates Board. It all began when Mr. Peterson, an Executive Vice President of Guaranteed Rate mortgage company, sought care from David T. Rubin, MD, for Crohn’s disease. Dr. Rubin recruited him to participate in the GI Research Foundation Associates Board in 2013. Soon after, the Associates Board elected him President.

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Visceral: Podcast Episode Three – All about Ostomy Care

Visceral: Podcast Episode Three – All about Ostomy Care

In this episode, Advanced Practice Nurses and leaders in the field of ostomy care Janice Colwell, APRN, CWOCN, FAAN, and Marita Kametas, MSN, APN, FNP-BC, CMSRN, COCN offer need-to-know information about post-surgical life with an ostomy for IBD patients.

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Gut-Friendly Recipe: Midwinter Soup

Gut-Friendly Recipe: Midwinter Soup

“When patients with active inflammatory bowel disease start eliminating food, fiber is the first thing that they tend to restrict.” Says Courtney Schuchmann, registered dietitian at the University of Chicago Medicine Digestive Diseases Center. “But many studies show that the fiber-rich fruits and vegetables are also the most beneficial for minimizing inflammation.”

While some patients with strictures (narrowing of parts of the digestive system due to scar tissue and inflammation) must monitor their diet to avoid bowel obstruction, Ms. Schuchmann generally recommends a diet rich in dietary fiber, even for patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

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