Bethesda, MD (June 17, 2013) — The AGA Research Foundation and Horizon Pharma further establish their commitment to advancing in the future of gastroenterology with the 2013 AGA-Horizon Pharma Fellow Abstract Prizes and the 2013 AGA-Horizon Pharma Student Abstract Prizes.
"In its third year, this competition continues to grow in popularity among young researchers who are embarking on promising careers in basic and clinical research," said Nicholas F. LaRusso, MD, AGAF, chair of the AGA Research Foundation. "We are extremely proud of all that these fellows and students have already accomplished, and we sincerely thank Horizon Pharma for funding this valuable program, which fosters new research developments in the fields of gastroenterology and hepatology."
AGA-Horizon Pharma Fellow Abstract Prizes provide three awards of $1,000 each to fellows who have submitted abstracts chosen to be presented during Digestive Disease Week® (DDW). This year's fellow abstract recipients are:
- Jana G. Al Hashash, MD, University of Pittsburgh, PA
- James D. Canavan, MB MRCPI, Kings College London, United Kingdom
- Anne E. Powell, PhD, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
AGA-Horizon Pharma Student Abstract Prizes provide eight travel awards of $500 each to high school, undergraduate, graduate and medical students who have submitted abstracts chosen by the AGA to be presented during DDW. Medical residents up to and including postgraduate year three are also eligible for the award. The three best student abstracts submitted will receive a $1,000 prize. This year's student abstract prize recipients are:
- Caitlyn W. Barrett, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Navya Bezawada, University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- Alexander R. Cohen, Newton South High School, MA
- Boyko T. Kabakchiev, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Rinho Kim, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia
- Raaj S. Mehta, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Carli J. Smith, University of California, San Diego
- Yan Sun, MD, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso
- Daniel Talmasov, Stony Brook University, NY
- Eric J. Vargas, Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey
- Richard von Furstenberg, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
About the AGA Research Foundation
The AGA Research Foundation, formerly known as the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition, is the cornerstone of AGA's effort to expand digestive disease research funding. Since 1984, the AGA, through its foundations, has provided more than $40 million in research grants to more than 670 scientists. The AGA Research Foundation serves as a bridge to the future of research in gastroenterology and hepatology by providing critical funding to advance the careers of young researchers between the end of training and the establishment of credentials that earn National Institutes of Health grants. Learn more about the AGA Research Foundation or make a contribution at http://www.gastro.org/aga-foundation.
About the AGA Institute
The American Gastroenterological Association is the trusted voice of the GI community. Founded in 1897, the AGA has grown to include 17,000 members from around the globe who are involved in all aspects of the science, practice and advancement of gastroenterology. The AGA Institute administers the practice, research and educational programs of the organization. http://www.gastro.org.
Follow us on Twitter @AmerGastroAssn. Become an AGA fan on Facebook.
About Horizon Pharma
Horizon Pharma, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that is developing and commercializing innovative medicines to target unmet therapeutic needs in arthritis, pain and inflammatory diseases. For more information, please visit http://www.horizonpharma.com.
About DDW
DDW is the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. Jointly sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT), DDW takes place May 18 – 21, 2013, at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL. The meeting showcases more than 5,000 abstracts and hundreds of lectures on the latest advances in GI research, medicine and technology. For more information, visit http://www.ddw.org.
Follow us on Twitter @DDWMeeting; hashtag #DDW13. Become a DDW fan on Facebook.