Ananthakrishnan Lab: Ashwin Ananthakrishnan, MD, MPH

Overview

Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis) are chronic immune-mediated diseases that are associated with considerable morbidity. My research focuses on several different aspects of inflammatory bowel disease. First, I am involved in large cohort studies that are attempting to examine established and novel environmental factors including diet that influence the risk of development of these diseases, and the natural history of both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. This will help us better understand the pathogenesis of these conditions which will eventually lead to novel treatments. Second, in collaboration with leading geneticists, lab scientists, and immunologists, I am working to understand the clinical consequences of the over 300 genetic mutations associated with these diseases, and the association of such mutations with the environment. I am also conducting clinical research that examines the course of disease and response to various therapies with the aim of developing predictive models that can be used both to inform about disease course as well the likelihood of response to specific therapy. I am interested in novel tools to monitor disease activity and identify complications. My research aims to integrate these clinical and genetic data to develop predictors of natural history of disease and response to therapy, towards the overall goal of personalized medicine approach to diagnosis and therapy of these diseases. Additionally my research aims to study understudied and emerging populations of IBD where an alternative care model is needed including older adults with IBD.
I participate in clinical trials of novel therapies, and better use of existing therapies in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Research Projects

• Environmental Risk factors and global epidemiology of IBD
• Multi-omic predictors of disease trajectory and treatment course in IBD
• Application of artificial intelligence to study of IBD and its outcomes in IBD
• Comparative effectiveness and safety of advanced therapies in IBD
• Safety and efficacy of advanced therapy among older patients with inflammatory bowel disease
• Development of multi-omic measures of environment and lifestyle in IBD

Research Team

Ashwin Ananthakrishnan, MBBS, MPH

Director, Crohns and Colitis Center

Publications

View my most recent publications on PubMed

Open positions

I welcome contact from trainees and researchers interested in clinical, multi-omic, Artificial intelligence or other bid data research in IBD.