School of Medicine


Showing 41-60 of 147 Results

  • Michael Fischbach

    Michael Fischbach

    Liu (Liao) Family Professor

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsThe microbiome carries out extraordinary feats of biology: it produces hundreds of molecules, many of which impact host physiology; modulates immune function potently and specifically; self-organizes biogeographically; and exhibits profound stability in the face of perturbations. Our lab studies the mechanisms of microbiome-host interactions. Our approach is based on two technologies we recently developed: a complex (119-member) defined gut community that serves as an analytically manageable but biologically relevant system for experimentation, and new genetic systems for common species from the microbiome. Using these systems, we investigate mechanisms at the community level and the strain level.

    1) Community-level mechanisms. A typical gut microbiome consists of 200-250 bacterial species that span >6 orders of magnitude in relative abundance. As a system, these bacteria carry out extraordinary feats of metabolite consumption and production, elicit a variety of specific immune cell populations, self-organize geographically and metabolically, and exhibit profound resilience against a wide range of perturbations. Yet remarkably little is known about how the community functions as a system. We are exploring this by asking two broad questions: How do groups of organisms work together to influence immune function? What are the mechanisms that govern metabolism and ecology at the 100+ strain scale? Our goal is to learn rules that will enable us to design communities that solve specific therapeutic problems.

    2) Strain-level mechanisms. Even though gut and skin colonists live in communities, individual strains can have an extraordinary impact on host biology. We focus on two broad (and partially overlapping) categories:

    Immune modulation: Can we redirect colonist-specific T cells against an antigen of interest by expressing it on the surface of a bacterium? How do skin colonists induce high levels of Staphylococcus-specific antibodies in mice and humans?

    Abundant microbiome-derived molecules: By constructing single-strain/single-gene knockouts in a complex defined community, we will ask: What are the effects of bacterially produced molecules on host metabolism and immunology? Can the molecular output of low-abundance organisms impact host physiology?

    3) Cell and gene therapy. We have begun two new efforts in mammalian cell and gene therapies. First, we are developing methods that enable cell-type specific delivery of genome editing payloads in vivo. We are especially interested in delivery vehicles that are customizable and easy to manufacture. Second, we have begun a comprehensive genome mining effort with an emphasis on understudied or entirely novel enzyme systems with utility in mammalian genome editing.

  • Matilda Fresk

    Matilda Fresk

    LSRP 2, Pediatrics - Gastroenterology

    BioBiorepository Manager and Life Science Research Professional at Stanford Medicine. I support both the Center for IBD and Celiac Disease and Dr. Michael Rosen’s Lab, where my primary focus is the administration and execution of the Biorepository study.

    My role bridges strategic operations with hands-on technical execution. I oversee the development of SOPs, inventory management, and maintain direct contact with our cohort of research participants and their families. I also collaborate closely with research labs across Stanford to supply them with biorepository samples, ensuring full regulatory compliance and proper documentation for all de-identified sample transfers. Furthermore, I provide integral support for our Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs) on key initiatives, including the CAPTURE IBD and MUSIC-CD studies, managing essential processes such as visit registration, supply procurement, research kit preparation, and biospecimen processing.

    I bring a deeply technical engineering background, with over three years specialized in the generation, characterization, and affinity purification of antibody-based constructs and AAV vectors, with a strong understanding of process development. Previously a Research Engineer at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, where I coordinated autoimmune research with the Karolinska Institute.

    I hold both an MSc and a BSc in Medical Biotechnology from KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

  • Adam Frymoyer

    Adam Frymoyer

    Clinical Professor, Pediatrics - Neonatology

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy research uses quantitative pharmacology and quality improvement science to improve care for neonates and children. I develop individualized, evidence-based dosing strategies and translate them into real-time clinical tools, while leading research to identify and close gaps between evidence and practice across the newborn continuum. Across both programs, my goal is to translate rigorous science into better bedside care and improve child health.

  • Hayley Gans

    Hayley Gans


    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsThe focus of my laboratory is the immune response to viral vaccines evaluating the ontogeny of responses in infants and limitations in immunocompromised hosts. We have studied responses to an early two-dose measles immunization, one versus 2 doses of varicella immunization, and polio vaccine in preterm versus term infants. Other active areas of research include measles and varicella immunity in HIV infected individuals, and transplant recipients.

  • Chris Garcia

    Chris Garcia

    Younger Family Professor and Professor of Structural Biology

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsStructural and functional studies of transmembrane receptor interactions with their ligands in systems relevant to human health and disease - primarily in immunity, infection, and neurobiology. We study these problems using protein engineering, structural, biochemical, and combinatorial biology approaches.

  • Manuel Garcia-Careaga

    Manuel Garcia-Careaga


    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsGastroenterology, liver disease in cystic fibrosis patients, percutaneous gastrostomy tube in pediatric population, inflamatory bowel disease, failure to thrive

  • Christopher Gardner

    Christopher Gardner

    Rehnborg Farquhar Professor

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsThe role of nutrition in individual and societal health, with particular interests in: plant-based diets, differential response to low-carb vs. low-fat weight loss diets by insulin resistance status, chronic disease prevention, randomized controlled trials, human nutrition, community based studies, Community Based Participatory Research, sustainable food movement (animal rights and welfare, global warming, human labor practices), stealth health, nutrition policy, nutrition guidelines

  • Rachel E. Herdes

    Rachel E. Herdes

    Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatrics - Gastroenterology

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsAs a pediatric physician-investigator, I strive to understand the role of nutrition and diet therapy in pediatric health. I am particularly interested in understanding and developing novel treatment plans for adolescent patients with obesity and in establishing guidelines to improve health outcomes for pediatric intestinal failure patients.

    Current research studies include novel treatment options for pediatric metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), health equity in pediatric patients with intestinal failure, and medication management after metabolic and bariatric surgery in pediatric patients with severe obesity.

  • Wenmo Hu

    Wenmo Hu

    Visiting Instructor, Pediatrics - Gastroenterology

    Bio2024- Visiting Instructor at Stanford
    2021-2024 Residency training of Internal Medicine at Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital
    2013-2021 Tsinghua University & Peking Union Medical College MD degree

  • Sohail Z Husain

    Sohail Z Husain

    Chambers-Okamura Endowed Professor of Pediatric Gastroenterology

    Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy research delves into three broad areas of the exocrine pancreas: (1) The crucial signaling pathways that initiate and transduce pancreatitis; (2) the factors that turn on pancreatic regeneration and recovery after pancreatic injury; and (3) the mechanisms underlying drug-induced pancreatitis.