about us
Driven by a team of successful, academic senior scientists and clinicians, we are dedicated to making a lasting impact on the field of digestive health.
By supporting high -impact programs, we aim to improve outcomes for individuals affected by digestive disorders.



Area of focus
why
fndd matters

Research is the heartbeat of medical and scientific progress.
FNDD stands at the forefront of this movement, championing the cause of junior investigators seeking independence and career growth.
We understand that nurturing the next generation of researchers is not just an investment in their future bit a commitment to the future to the future well-being of countless individuals affected by nutritional and digestive disorders,
board of
directors


Stephen Pandol, M.D.

Joyce Fried

Dennis M. Jensen, M.D.
Dr. Dennis M. Jensen is a renowned gastroenterologist and researcher with significant contributions to the understanding and management of gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage and other GI disorders. His work includes studies on risk factors, pathogenesis, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), endoscopic technologies, prevention, and health outcomes. Recently, he has focused on iron deficiency following acute GI hemorrhage. His research, funded by a UCLA Academic Senate Faculty Research Grant, highlights his commitment to improving GI health.
Dr. Jensen continues to lead innovative research and mentor the next generation of GI researchers, with a commitment to advancing the understanding and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.

Jonathan D. Kaunitz, MD, FACG, FAPS, AGAF
Dr. Jonathan D. Kaunitz is a distinguished researcher and clinician whose work has significantly advanced our understanding of gastrointestinal physiology and pathology.
As a Principal Investigator (PI) of numerous research grants from the NIH, VA, DoD, and industry, Dr. Kaunitz has secured substantial funding to support his pioneering research. His Google Scholar h-index of 47 reflects his prolific output and the high impact of his work in the scientific community.

Distinguished Research Professor, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, UCLA.
Dr. Yvette Taché is a leading figure in the field of gastrointestinal research, with a career spanning over four decades. She began her academic journey with pre-doctoral training in Physiology at Claude Bernard University in Lyon, France, and earned her Ph.D. in Experimental Medicine from the University of Montreal under the mentorship of Dr. Hans Selye, the pioneer of the concept of biological stress.

Catia Sternini, MD

O. Joe Hines, MD, FACS
board of
directors
Stephen Pandol, M.D.
Dr. Stephen J. Pandol, MD, is a renowned expert in gastroenterology and pancreatology, currently serving as the Director of Basic and Translational Pancreas Research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He holds professorships at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and Charles Drew University. As a founder of Avenzoar Pharmaceutics, Dr. Pandol is at the forefront of developing innovative treatments aimed at overcoming therapy resistance and metastasis, with a special focus on pancreatic cancer.
Joyce Fried
Joyce M. Fried brings over 25 years of extensive experience in medical education administration, accreditation, strategic planning, teaching, course development, and project management. Her distinguished career includes serving as Assistant Dean at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and as Co-Director of the UCLA Office of Continuing Medical Education. In these dual roles, she had a significant impact on every aspect of the medical education continuum.
Dennis M. Jensen, MD
Dr. Dennis M. Jensen is a renowned gastroenterolo- gist and researcher with significant contributions to the understanding and management of gastrointes- tinal (GI) hemorrhage and other GI disorders. His work includes studies on risk factors, pathogenesis, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), endoscopic technologies, prevention, and health outcomes.
Recently, he has focused on iron deficiency following acute GI hemorrhage. His research, funded by a UCLA Academic Senate Faculty Research Grant, highlights his commitment to improving GI health.
Jonathan D. Kaunitz MD, FACG, FAPS, AGAF
Dr. Jonathan D. Kaunitz is a distinguished researcher and clinician whose work has significantly advanced our understanding of gastrointestinal physiology and pathology.
As a Principal Investigator (PI) of numerous research grants from the NIH, VA, DoD, and industry, Dr. Kaunitz has secured substantial funding to support his pioneering research. His Google Scholar h-index of 47 reflects his prolific output and the high impact of his work in the scientific community.
Dr. Yvette Taché, Ph.D.
Distinguished Research Professor, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, UCLA.
Dr. Yvette Taché is a leading figure in the field of gastrointestinal research, with a career spanning over four decades. She began her academic journey with pre-doctoral training in Physiology at Claude Bernard University in Lyon, France, and earned her Ph.D. in Experimental Medicine from the University of Montreal under the mentorship of Dr. Hans Selye, the pioneer of the concept of biological stress.
Catia Sternini, MD
Professor of Medicine, Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Dr. Catia Sternini is a distinguished Professor in the Division of Digestive Diseases and the Department of Neurobiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA. Her pioneering research centers on the brain-gut axis and gastrointestinal chemosensing, significantly advancing the understanding of enteric neuronal circuits that govern gastrointestinal motility. Her work has notably elucidated the impact of chronic opioid use on intestinal motility and proposed the innovative hypothesis that bitter taste receptors in the colon detect luminal bacteria, linking gut microbiota with metabolic disorders and diet-induced obesity.
O. Joe Hines, MD, FACS
Dr. O. Joe Hines is a distinguished surgeon, educator, and researcher with over two decades of contributions to the field of surgery. He serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery at UCLA and holds the prestigious William P. Longmire, Jr., Chair in Surgery. Dr. Hines is also the Executive Medical Director, overseeing clinical operations and surgical advancements at UCLA.
Nutritional and Digestive Disorders: