Francisco Sylvester, MD

Chief, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology
Professor of Pediatrics

Endoscopy; colonoscopy; percutaneous gastrostomy; and percutaneous liver biopsy. Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis).

Dr. Francisco Sylvester has a long-standing interest on the effects of chronic intestinal inflammation on growth, bone and muscle in children. His studies focus on children with inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis). He collaborates with investigators at UNC and across the country. His research has revealed that children with Crohn’s disease have significant deficits of bone mass and muscle mass at the time of diagnosis, and that these deficits largely persist 2-years post diagnosis, despite a decrease in symptoms and improved weight gain. Dr. Sylvester performs studies in human samples and in the basic science laboratory to arrive to mechanisms that explain these observations.

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Ajay S. Gulati, MD

Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

Pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis); and intestinal epithelial repair responses in inflammation-induced gut injury.

Dr. Gulati’s lab is interested in understanding how the normal bacteria in the gut, known as the intestinal microbiota, can be used to improve the health of the intestines in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).  To do this, Dr. Gulati and his research group study how the microbiota affects the function of different cells in the lining of the intestine.  The laboratory is particularly interested in a cell type knows as the Paneth cell, which produces natural antibiotics that protect the gut against infections.  This knowledge may help us learn new ways to manipulate to microbiota to treat IBD in a safe and effective manner, without the need for medications that suppress the immune system. 

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Steven N. Lichtman, MD

Professor of Pediatrics

Celiac disease; inflammatory bowel disease; liver disease; failure to thrive; and short bowel syndrome.

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Michael D. Kappelman, MD, MPH

Professor of Pediatrics

Crohn's disease; ulcerative colitis; pediatric endoscopy and colonoscopy; clinical epidemiology; and health services research.

Dr. Kappelman’s research includes studies of the clinical and comparative effectiveness of treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) using real-world data to evaluate the risks and benefits of treatments used in everyday clinical practice. He has received research funding from the NIH, AHRQ, PCORI, foundations, and industry. Selected examples of ongoing research studies include:

• The largest pediatric Crohn’s trial in history to compare the effectiveness and safety of anti-TNF biologic agents (infliximab, adalimumab) used alone or in combination with a second immune suppressive agent (methotrexate).

• A patient powered research network for children and adults with IBD that utilizes internet based recruitment and data collection to study the course of IBD through the eyes of patients and caregivers.

• A study comparing the effectiveness and safety of 2nd line treatments for patients with IBD who did not respond to, or lost response to, anti-TNF.

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Rose C. Marcus, MD, MSCE

Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Pediatric endoscopy and colonoscopy, pediatric feeding disorders

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Sabina Mir, MD

Director of Endoscopy
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Endoscopy; colonoscopy; polypectomy; esophageal dilation (strictures, stenosis and achalasia); variceal band ligation; endoscopic hemostatic therapy; intramucosal botox injection and small bowel enteroscopy.

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Martin H. Ulshen, MD

Professor of Pediatrics

Upper GI endoscopy; dilatation; esophageal pH studies; videocapsule endoscopy; esophageal varix banding and sclerotherapy; colonoscopy; polypectomy; flexible sigmoidoscopy; and ileoscopy. Inflammatory bowel disease; pancreatitis; chronic abdominal pain; vomiting; failure to thrive; and chronic hepatitis and other chronic liver diseases.

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Kristen Cole, RN, CPNP

Clinical Instructor

Feeding difficulties.

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Shelly Cummings, RN

Procedures

Maureen Kelly, MS, CPNP

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Inflammatory bowel diseases and failure to thrive.

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E.J. Lee, RN

Nurse

Christina Greeson, RN

Nurse

Beth A. McLean, BSN

Instructor

Pediatric gastroenterology nurse.

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Victoria M. Powell, CPNP, RN, MSN

Instructor, Pediatrics

Pediatric gastroenterology.

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