Researchers - Kenneth Rainin Foundation

Researchers

Supporting new and seasoned investigators alike and embracing untested ideas gives us the best chance of discovering breakthroughs in IBD research. Get to know our Health Program grantees.

Ruaidhrí Jackson, Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School

Ruaidhrí Jackson, PhD

Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School, Former Grantee

The Jackson lab explores unknown molecules, sensory pathways and cellular connections that underpin inflammation. They aim to uncover not only how tissue-wide homeostasis is achieved but also how its breakdown can be averted to prevent disease.
Headshot of Miguel Jimenez

Miguel Jimenez

Assistant Professor, Boston University, Current Grantee

Dr. Jimenez’s group develops material, genetic and fabrication approaches to enable integration of living microorganisms into products that can be used for human health, agriculture, the environment and art.
Nobuhiko Kamada, Professor, University of Michigan

Nobuhiko Kamada, PhD

Professor, University of Michigan, Former Grantee

Dr. Kamada’s lab investigates how gut microbiota and host immunity interact in gastrointestinal health and disease. Their focus is on the mechanism by which certain pathogenic members of commensal bacteria promote chronic intestinal inflammation that leads to Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Headshot of Michael Kattah

Michael Kattah, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor; University of California, San Francisco; Current Grantee

The Kattah Lab aims to understand how intestinal epithelial cells contribute to disease. The ultimate goal is to develop patient-tailored treatment strategies that maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity for individual patients.
Headshot of Maia Kayal

Maia Kayal, MD

Assistant Professor, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Current Grantee

Dr. Kayal specializes in the care of patients with gastrointestinal illnesses with a focus on ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Her current research interests include prediction and risk stratification in ulcerative colitis patients who need surgery.
Hyun Jung Kim, Assistant Professor, Cleveland Clinic

Hyun Jung Kim, PhD

Assistant Professor, Cleveland Clinic, Current Grantee

The Kim lab emulates host-microbiome interactions that orchestrate intestinal homeostasis and disease development. They develop “Personalized Disease-on-a-Chip” models by integrating patient-derived organoids, microbiomes and immune cells.