The Department of Medicine Division of Digestive Diseases conducts original scientific investigations in diseases and disorders of the digestive system, including the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and pancreas. In addition to numerous clinical trials ongoing in Emory’s patient-care facilities, the division has four full-time wet bench investigators whose work is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Read our interview with division director Shanthi Srinivasan, MD to learn about her path to a career in medicine, her experience as a faculty member at Emory, and more!
Why did you decide to pursue a career in medicine?
I was fascinated with science from a very young age. My mother was my main inspiration to pursue a career in medicine. Growing up, I loved to watch her see patients and work on research projects. As a pediatric pulmonologist, she took care of children of all ages and I admired her care and compassion. My grandfather was a great supporter of women’s education, and encouraged my mother to study medicine and be the first female doctor in the community we come from.
What led you to join the Department of Medicine?
I was a junior faculty member at Washington University in St. Louis when Dr. Vincent Yang recruited me to Emory. The opportunity to pursue clinical gastroenterology at the Atlanta VAMC and Grady, as well as establish and grow my research laboratory focusing on gastrointestinal motility disorders, were the reasons I joined the Department of Medicine seventeen years ago.
Can you share more about your experience and specialty area(s)?
The field of gastroenterology is fascinating as it involves both procedures as well as the ability to provide longitudinal care for patients with chronic gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. The recent technological advances allow us to so much more with endoscopic procedures. There are also several research opportunities in gastroenterology and hepatology. My exposure to gastroenterology motility research started during my internal medicine residency training at the University of Michigan. My research focuses on the nervous system of the gastrointestinal tract and I hope by understanding the pathophysiology of the enteric nervous system we can find new drugs to improve gastrointestinal motility.
What is the highlight of your career at Emory thus far?
I love my colleagues at Emory. I am so fortunate to work with amazing colleagues, trainees, and staff. The highlight of my career was the opportunity to serve as division director. I am humbled to be in this position and hope to foster the career of all my colleagues. I am also very proud of my research on the enteric nervous system. I could not have accomplished this research without the support of the School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, and the Atlanta VAMC.
What do you like most about living in Atlanta?
I love the family and friends I have in Atlanta, and the weather!
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I like to spend time with my three boys and husband, read books, and exercise.
If you didn’t pursue a career in medicine, what other profession would you have chosen?
I would have pursued a career in science as a basic scientist.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Emory, as I had an opportunity for personal growth as well as to enable the growth of the Division of Digestive Diseases.
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