Anil K. Rustgi, MD, AGAF
Interim Executive Vice President and Dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences and Medicine at Columbia University,
Director of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
AGA Past President
“Serving as a mentor for undergraduate students interested in research is an outstanding way to get to know students.
In my experience, there are several barriers such as the need for constant mentorship, available resources along the way and coaching on self-confidence, that are preventing investigators from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups from entering or staying in biomedical research careers.
I invite donors to support the AGA Research Foundation’s effort to help grow the pipeline of investigators in GI because it’s clinically important and the right thing to do.”
José Ordovas-Montanes, PhD
Assistant Professor
Boston Children’s Hospital, Massachusetts
“Having undergraduates in the laboratory is an incredibly enriching experience for everyone in the lab. Most of the full-time lab members, including myself, have all benefited from summer experiences, and so being involved on a yearly basis is a way that we can continue giving younger scientists the opportunities that were afforded to us.
There are many gates to entering a career in research, and many are designed to restrict access early. Programs support undergraduate students are essential to give young investigators the chance to participate in cutting-edge research, and to understand that they can play a critical role in answering challenging questions.
Growing a pipeline of future-leaders in GI research and clinical care will ensure the more equitable treatment of GI-diseases. We know that distinct communities will have different disease risks, concerns and approaches to treatment, and we must ensure that our future GI clinicians and scientists are able to respond and anticipate these needs.”
Donate now through Oct. 26, 2021.
Help support the AGA Research Foundation’s efforts to fund and strengthen the GI pipeline. Please join your peers in making a tax-deductible donation to the AGA Research Foundation to support AGA Giving Day.
