Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Faculty

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: GI Division
Phone: 612-625-8999
Email: gidivision@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 36, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Jeffrey H. Albrecht MD is a gastroenterologist with a focus on hepatology (liver diseases). He was previously head of the Gastroenterology Division at Hennepin County Medical Center and director of the Liver Clinic at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

Research Summary

His research focuses on cell cycle control proteins in liver regeneration, metabolism, and carcinogenesis. In particular, his laboratory has investigated novel links between cyclin D1, hepatocyte metabolism, and fatty liver disease.

Clinical Summary

Dr. Albrecht's clinical expertise is hepatology and general gastroenterology, including the diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases, cirrhosis, and liver cancer

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: GI Division
Phone: 612-624-9684
Email: gidivision@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 36, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
These are exciting times for the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. From the bench top to the bedside, our team of regional and national thought leaders are developing innovative discoveries and delivering compassionate care throughout the health system and beyond. We remain dedicated to the continued growth of our research, clinical and educational missions spanning multiple disciplines including basic sciences, esophagology, inflammatory bowel disease, transplant hepatology, pancreatology, hepatobiliary disease, gastrointestinal malignancy, advanced endoscopy and the microbiome.

Teaching Summary

• Endoscopic techniques

Clinical Summary

• Advanced endoscopy including EUS and ERCP
• Pancreaticobiliary disorders
• Bariatric and surgical endoscopy
• Small bowel disease diagnosis and management
• Development of endoscpoic technology
• Challenging luminal interventions including large polypectomy
• Palliation of bowel malignancy
• Third Space Endoscopy

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: GI Division
Phone: 612-625-8999
Email: gidivision@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 36, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455

Summary
Dr. Azeem completed his Internal Medicine residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He then stayed on as a Chief Resident at Mayo Clinic for one year helping to train and mentor internal medicine residents. He then went to San Francisco for his gastroenterology and hepatology fellowship at UCSF. Afterwards, he returned back to Minnesota for a final year of training at the University of Minnesota in Interventional Endoscopy. He then joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota.Dr. Azeem specializes in all aspects of interventional/advance endoscopy with special interests in endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for GI neoplasia and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia.

Research Summary

• Endoscopic resection of gastrointestinal neoplasia
• Endoscopic therapy for achalasia
• Third space endoscopy
• EUS guided treatment of gastric and ectopic varices

Teaching Summary

• Endoscopic treatment of early GI neoplasia
• Endoscopic training of general and advanced fellows

Clinical Summary

• Endoscopic Resection of GI neoplasia
• Management of Achalasia
• Third space endoscopy

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: GI Division
Phone: 612-625-8999
Email: gidivision@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 36, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. de Groen is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, at the University of Minnesota, emeritus staff at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and former Program Director of the Mayo Clinic/IBM Computational Biology Collaboration. He is an NIH-funded clinical investigator and international expert in medical informatics, primary liver cancers and colonoscopy.His endoscopic research is focused on measuring what happens during colonoscopy. Together with collaborators at Iowa State University and the University of North Texas he has created a first-of-a-kind new software system that automatically captures and analyzes "inside-the-patient" video information of medical procedures performed via endoscopy. At present he is studying patient- and endoscopist-specific features, including quality of the colon preparation and effort of the endoscopist to visualize mucosa, remove remaining fecal material and adequately distend the colon. Another focus of study is automated measurement of the degree of mucosal inflammation as seen in inflammatory bowel diseases.The ultimate goal of his endoscopic research related to colonoscopy is a fully automated quality control system that provides real-time feedback to the endoscopist and ensures individualized healthcare by virtually guaranteeing a high quality examination for each patient. Another goal is to extend the technology to other organs examined using endoscopy equipment and combine the information obtained from the optical signal with information derived from other imaging modalities.

Teaching Summary

Endoscopy, comprehensive patient evaluation

Clinical Summary

Colorectal cancer prevention, primary liver cancer, drug-induced liver toxicity, fatty liver disease

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: GI Division
Phone: 612-625-8999
Email: gidivision@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 36, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
“Life is what we make out of it”. After completing medical education from Government Medical College, Surat, India, I embarked my journey to study epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston to understand research methodology and to improve my understanding of science behind evidence-based medicine. After completing the graduate studies, I did my Internal Medicine training at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. I knew my calling for GI earlier on, however, true realization occurred while serving for patients with GI conditions during the intern year. During this time, I also had the opportunity to do clinical outcomes research in the field of Barrett’s Esophagus and Colon Cancer. This led me to continue my research on precancerous lesions of the GI tract and use of endoscopy for detection and resection, thus, focus on cancer prevention, which I find very rewarding. I completed my Gastroenterology and hepatology fellowship from University of Kansas School of Medicine and joined at the Kansas City VA Medical Center as a faculty where I was able to continue my clinical research and had a great opportunity to work with gastroenterology trainees that helped me sharpen my interest in endoscopy competency and quality during this time. I was fortunate to be considered for a faculty position at the University of Minnesota in the Gastroenterology division where I plan to deliver my best efforts in areas of Esophageal disorders with my experience and skill set, especially in areas of endoscopic management of precancerous lesions of the GI tract.

Research Summary

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s Esophagus and Esophageal Cancer
• Colorectal neoplasia
• Endoscopy for detection and resection for precancerous lesions
• Endoscopic therapies for GERD
• Role of third space endoscopy for advanced precancerous lesions
• Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery
• Innovative solutions to improve patient care and quality of GI endoscopy
• Competency in GI endoscopy
• Evidence synthesis

Teaching Summary

Endoscopic detection and resection of precancerous lesions to prevent cancer development; Improving and advancing endoscopic methods for management of gastrointestinal conditions

Clinical Summary

Esophageal disorders including Gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett’s Esophagus

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: GI Division
Phone: 612-625-8999
Email: gidivision@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 36, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Freeman leads the Advanced Endoscopy section and is the Associate Program Director of the Advanced Pancreaticobiliary Endoscopy Fellowship at the University of Minnesota. He has trained numerous advanced endoscopists, many of whom have gone on to leadership positions, and has led and participated in numerous courses in Advanced Endoscopy for the ASGE. He was the lead author on three educational DVD's for the ASGE including techniques for biliary access during ERCP, endoscopic therapy of pancreatic disease, and on interventions for necrotizing pancreatitis. He received the Master of Endoscopy Award by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in 2012, served as President of the American Pancreatic Association in 2013, then received their lifetime achievement award in 2018, was honored as a Master of the American College of Gastroenterology in 2019 and as Master of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in 2020 . Dr Freeman's main clinical and research interests involve pancreatic and biliary disorders, with a focus on interventional endoscopy. Dr. Freeman has published over 30 textbook chapters, and 250 peer reviewed articles, including several index papers for which he was the principal author: a multicenter study on ERCP complications in the New England Journal of Medicine, a multivariable model for prediction of post ERCP pancreatitis in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, and a consensus paper and a systematic review on interventions for necrotizing pancreatitis in the Pancreas, and recently in Gastroenterology . Other research areas include drainage of malignant hilar obstruction and treatment of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, for which he was a contributor to a recently completed multicenter NIH funded randomized trial. Major directions of his clinical interests and research at present include management of severe acute pancreatitis, recurrent acute pancreatitis, pancreaticobiliary cancers, and diagnosis and management of chronic pancreatitis.

Research Summary

Research interests involve pancreatic and biliary disorders, with a focus on interventional endoscopy. Dr. Freeman has published over 30 textbook chapters, and 250 peer reviewed articles, including several index papers for which he was the principal author: a multicenter study on ERCP complications in the New England Journal of Medicine, a multivariable model for prediction of post ERCP pancreatitis in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, and a consensus paper and a systematic review on interventions for necrotizing pancreatitis in the journals Pancreas, and recently in Gastroenterology . Other research areas include drainage of malignant hilar obstruction and treatment of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, for which he was a contributor to a recently completed multicenter NIH funded randomized trial. Major directions of his clinical interests and research at present include management of severe acute pancreatitis, recurrent acute pancreatitis, pancreaticobiliary cancers, and diagnosis and management of chronic pancreatitis.

Teaching Summary

Dr. Freeman is chief of the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, was medical director of the program for total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation until 2021, and director of the advanced pancreaticobiliary endoscopy fellowship at the University of Minnesota until 2021. He has trained numerous advanced endoscopists, many of whom have gone on to leadership positions around the United States and abroad, and has led and participated in numerous courses around the world.

Clinical Summary

Clinical interests include management of severe acute pancreatitis, recurrent acute pancreatitis, pancreaticobiliary cancers, and diagnosis and management of chronic pancreatitis. Dr. Freeman sees patients at M Health Fairview Clinics and Surgery Center - Minneapolis and M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center, and performs procedures at those locations and at Masonic Childrens Hospital.

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: GI Division
Phone: 612-625-8999
Email: gidivision@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 36, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Hassan became a faculty member as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine-Gastroenterology Division at the University of Minnesota in 2004. His responsibilities include: Endoscopic Services, in-patient consults, and out-patient clinics. Dr. Hassan has special interest in viral hepatitis and liver transplant medicine. He has established a viral hepatitis center here at the University of Minnesota and has four funded research projects on hepatitis B and C. He has published articles both in international and national medical journals on viral hepatitis and other related topics.

Clinical Summary

Treatment and Management of Viral Hepatitis B and C; Evaluation and Management of Pre-Liver Transplant Patients; Management of Immune Suppression

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: GI Division
Phone: 612-625-8999
Email: gidivision@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 36, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Howard graduated from medical school in Philadelphia, PA at Jefferson Medical College in 2007. He completed his internal medicine residency and a chief resident year in 2011 at the University of Minnesota where he developed a passion for teaching medical students and residents. He then completed a fellowship in gastroenterology at the University of Minnesota in 2014. During his time in training he developed a particular interest in treating patients with inflammatory bowel disease. As a faculty member at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Howard works closely with his patients to provide individualized care that incorporates not only the latest in medical and surgical treatment options, but also life-style and dietary modifications.

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: GI Division
Phone: 612-625-8999
Email: gidivision@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 36, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. Khoruts has trained at the University of Minnesota. In addition to completing his fellowship in gastroenterology, he also trained in basic immunology as a Howard Hughes Physician Fellow under the mentorship of Dr. Marc Jenkins in the Department of Microbiology. He continued his early research focus on basic biology of T cells and autoimmunity, but subsequently has redirected his efforts into areas ofmicrobiota therapeutics.

Research Summary

As a physician-scientist I am most interested in translating basic scientific discoveries and ideas into clinical applications. My main focus since mid-2000s has been on development of treatments to repair antibiotic injury to intestinal microbial communities, also known as the ‘microbiota’. The most well recognized complication of treatment with antibiotics is Clostridioides difficile infection. However, the standard treatment for this infection is more antibiotics. In fact, the treatment doesn’t work in many patients and the infection keeps coming back.

Our program has developed therapeutic preparations of donor microbiota to treat patients with difficult C. difficile infections; these are commonly known as Fecal Microbiota Transplants (FMT), although we prefer the term Intestinal Microbiota Transplants (IMT). We manufacture IMT preparations as frozen liquid or encapsulated freeze-dried microbiota. The latter can be taken by mouth.

Microbiota therapeutics are classified as drugs by the FDA. However, they are clearly different from small molecule drugs and biologics. In fact, these therapeutics belong to an entirely novel class of drugs, which requires building a new pharmacologic discipline. I am intensely interested in all aspects of microbiota therapeutics pharmacology, including formulation, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics.

There are many potential clinical applications of microbiota therapeutics. Our program is committed to support academic trials for a variety of applications. Some of the ongoing work is in the areas of ulcerative colitis, autism, advanced liver disease, and others. Microbiome research is applicable to many areas of medicine and we are happy to collaborate with clinical investigators.

The success of our program is built on team science. Microbiome research is complex, and our team includes expertise in computational biology, microbiology, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and others. A more complete description of the program can be found here.

Teaching Summary

Mucosal immunology; Clinical gastroenterology

Clinical Summary

Gastroenterology; Immune disorders involving the gastrointestinal tract; Microbiota therapeutics

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: GI Division
Phone: 612-625-8999
Email: gidivision@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware ST SE, MMC 36, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr. John R. Lake is a Professor of Surgery and Medicine. He is the Section Head for Hepatology in the Department of Medicine. He is also the Executive Medical Director for Solid Organ Transplantation at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. He also serves as senior staff for liver at the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. He received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School and completed his residency and fellowship training at the University of California, San Francisco. Prior to moving to the University of Minnesota in 1998, he helped start and was the Medical Director of the Liver Transplant Program at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Lake's research interests include liver allocation, predictors of outcomes following liver transplantation and the development of new treatments for patients with liver disease. He has authored more than 258 articles and more than 27 book chapters. He is a past Editor for the journal Liver Transplantation and is on the Editorial Boards for several other scientific journals. In addition, Dr Lake is a past-president of the American Society of Transplantation. He is a past-president of the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network. He is also the past-chair of the American Board of Internal Medicine Test and Policy Committee on Transplant Hepatology.

Research Summary

• Liver transplant allocation
• Predictors of outcomes following liver transplantation
• Development of new treatments for patients with liver disease

Clinical Summary

Liver disease; Liver transplantation

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: GI Division
Phone: 612-625-8999
Email: gidivision@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 36, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
I am a Transplant Hepatologist who has obtained additional training in Critical Care medicine. My passion is the treatment of critically ill patients with liver disease, particularly those with acute liver failure, and management of hospitalized patients before and after liver transplantation. My research focus is acute liver failure as well as outcomes in the pre and post transplant period.

Research Summary

• Acute Liver Failure
• Hepatitis B Advocacy
• Coagulopathy in Liver Disease
• Hospital Management of Hepatorenal Syndrome
• Alcoholic Liver Disease
• Hepatic Manifestations of Telomere Biology Disorders

Clinical Summary

Cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, auto-immune liver disease, drug-induced liver injury, liver transplantation, liver cancer, hospitalized patients with liver disease, liver disease in persons with HIV/AIDS

Bio

Administrator Info
Name: GI Division
Phone: 612-625-8999
Email: gidivision@umn.edu
Mail: 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 36, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Summary
Dr Lim graduated from medical school at University College, Cork in Ireland. After working in Europe and Australia, he moved to the United States to pursue his postgraduate training. Dr Lim completed internal medicine and gastroenterology training at the University of Vermont. Dr Lim then completed subspecialty training in transplant hepatology at Columbia University in New York. Dr Lim's clinical interests include cirrhosis, quality care in patients with cirrhosis who are admitted to the hospital, and liver transplantation.