Inflammation and Digestive Diseases Research Center, Internal Medicine

The Inflammation and Digestive Diseases Research Center (IDD Center) advances research on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of inflammation and their role in digestive diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Investigators explore intestinal barrier function, immune responses, and host–microbiota interactions that influence mucosal immunity and metabolism. They also study genetic variations that increase susceptibility to intestinal immune disorders. Using molecular, biochemical, and cellular approaches, along with animal models and human tissue analysis, the IDD Center bridges basic science with clinical relevance. Its extensive patient registry and biorepository support translational research, enabling the application of lab findings to disease mechanisms and potential therapies.

Message from the Center Director

Welcome to the Inflammation and Digestive Diseases Research Center. Established in 2025 with generous philanthropic support, the Center brings together a talented group of investigators and provides key resources to scientists across all departments at UT Southwestern."

Ezra Burstein, M.D., Ph.D. Professor and Center Director

Digestive & Liver Diseases Research Conferences

2025-2026 Schedule

Sept. 9, 2025
Xiao-Fei Kong, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Oct. 7, 2025
Lichun Ma, Ph.D.

Oct. 14, 2025
Emre Turer, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Retrieving the LRO in Innate Immunity

Nov. 18, 2025
Ravikanth “Ravi” Maddipati, M.D.
Assistant Professor

Dec. 2, 2025
Suraj Patel, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Retrotransposon Reverse Transcription and Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease

Dec. 9, 2025
Justin Williams, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Precision Therapy for GUCY2C-Associated Congenital Diarrhea

Jan. 20, 2026
Xia Xiao, Ph.D.
Instructor in Medicine, Mass General Research Institute, Harvard Medical School

Feb. 3, 2026
Satdarshan (Paul) Monga, M.D.
Professor of Pathology and Medicine
University Pittsburg

Feb. 10, 2026
Mohd Anees Ahmed, Ph.D.
Instuctor, Weill Cornell Medicine

Feb. 17, 2026
Hans-Christian Reinecker, M.D.
Associate Professor

Mar. 17, 2026
Ayaz Najafov, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Mar. 24, 2026
Raeven Bastock, Ph.D.
Postdoc, Molecular Biology

Apr. 14, 2026
Simeng Wang, M.D., Ph.D.
Third Year Fellow, PSTP Program

Apr. 28, 2026
Jianyi Yin, M.D., Ph.D.
Instructor

May 5, 2026
Amin Amin, M.D.
Assistant Professor

May 12, 2026
Venuprasad Poojary, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

May 19, 2026
Karla Cano Hernandez, Ph.D.
Postdoc, Children's Research Institute

May 26, 2026
Ivan Zanoni, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Divisions of Immunology and Gastroenterology, Boston Children’s Hospital