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.
Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. Sternini’s research has been consistently funded by prestigious grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other leading institutions. Her contributions to the field have not only enriched scientific knowledge but also informed clinical approaches to gastrointestinal health.
In addition to her research, Dr. Sternini has held numerous leadership positions within the gastroenterological community. She has served the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) as a Council member, Vice-Chair, and Chair for the Hormones and Receptors section, and contributed to several key committees, including the Women Committee, International Committee, Research Policy Committee, and AGA Research Awards Committee. She is also the Chair of Abstract Review for the Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology section. Her involvement with the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society (ANMS) includes roles as a Councilor and Chair of the Research Committee.
Dr. Sternini’s expertise is widely recognized in the scientific community, where she reviews for numerous journals, serves on editorial boards, and acts as Associate Editor for Frontiers in Physiology and Gastrointestinal Sciences. She has been honored with several prestigious awards, including the Janssen Award for Basic Research in Digestive Sciences. Her achievements also include induction into the Academy of Science of Bologna, Italy, and honorary membership in the Society of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Bologna, Italy.
A sought-after speaker, Dr. Sternini has delivered numerous invited lectures and seminars worldwide, contributing her insights to the ongoing dialogue in gastrointestinal research and neurobiology.
