The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) research team at Indiana University School of Medicine is composed of board-certified physicians specializing in internal medicine and gastroenterology. Since its inception in 2010, the program has rapidly grown and expanded, evolving into a leading force in IBD research. What began with a single registry study quickly evolved, and by 2012, the program was conducting three pharmaceutical clinical trials. In 2015, Monika Fischer, MD, became the IBD program director, and under her leadership the team grew to include seven pharmaceutical trials, four investigator-initiated studies and one registry study.
Clinical Trial Participation
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Growth and Expansion
By 2016, the team continued to expand both in personnel and research scope. Key additions included clinical research coordinator Tonika Peterson, clinical research nurse Debbie Drenzyk, and advanced practice provider Laura Worley, PA-C. This brought the team to six members, including two research nurses, two coordinators, and two technicians. The volume of research also skyrocketed, with 28 pharmaceutical clinical trials, three registry studies and seven investigator-initiated trials in progress.
Areas of Research Focus
The team’s research interests cover a broad array of areas within IBD, including biomarkers of disease activity, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), small bowel endoscopy, Clostridium difficile infections (CDI), anemia in IBD, and the role of nutrition in IBD care. They are also at the forefront of conducting numerous pharmaceutical clinical trials, exploring new treatments for IBD patients.
Collaborations and Partnerships
Collaboration has been a vital aspect of the program’s growth. The team partners closely with the Indiana Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, hosting and participating in fundraising events and patient education programs. They also contribute to clinical trials like SPARC IBD and collaborate with other research centers to investigate CDI and IBD, as well as explore new treatment opportunities.
Innovative Research Contributions
Dr. Fischer has developed one of the largest FMT databases, providing invaluable insights into its efficacy and outcomes for patients. In addition, the team has explored innovative research topics, such as the safety and efficacy of biologic therapies for IBD patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis, transplant outcomes in IBD and CDI patients, and a randomized controlled trial on encapsulated fecal microbiota for Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus decolonization. The team is also investigating the use of non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation as a potential treatment for Crohn’s disease.
Recognition and Global Impact
The faculty members of the IBD research team are widely published in leading journals and are regularly invited to present their findings at conferences around the world. Their work has earned them recognition as experts in the field, and they are frequently asked to serve as guest speakers at various events, further establishing their role in advancing IBD research and treatment globally.