OVERVIEW

Recent advances in DNA sequencing technologies have allowed for the discovery of a whole new world inside our gut. This microbial ecosystem inside us—our gut microbiome—has now been linked to aging, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, and more.

The 6th Annual Patrick and Marguerite Sung Symposium: The Gut, Microbes, & Well-being will explore the gut microbiome and its role in promoting health and preventing disease with lectures from thought leaders in the field and a panel discussion followed by a Q&A.  Organized by the GW Office of Integrative Medicine and Health, this virtual event will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 2023, and is free and open to the public.

TOPICS & SPEAKERS

"What is the gut microbiome? What do we know? What don't we know?"
Scott Jackson, PhD is the Group Leader, Complex Microbial Systems at National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Dr. Jackson is setting the standard for how we measure the microbiome and facilitating discover of live microbial therapeutics (“bugs as drugs”) and so-called microbial dark matter. In this talk, Dr. Jackson will bring you up to speed on the latest in the gut microbiome space and where the field is headed.

"Development of the gut microbiome and long term health outcomes"
Yvonne Nyavor, PhD is the Principal Scientist, Microbiome at Boston Analytical (BA). Dr. Nyavor is an expert on how the gut microbiome impacts human health—perhaps surprising for someone whose PhD is in Neuroscience. In this talk, Dr. Nyavor will explain the role of the gut microbiome and its development in our long term health outcomes including those beyond gut health.

"Evidence-based approaches to food & gut microbe interventions to promote health and treat disease"
Christopher Damman, MD, MA is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington (UW) and board certified gastroenterologist at the Digestive Health Center at the UW Medical Center. Dr. Damman has a particular interest in the microbiome and functional foods. In this talk, Dr. Damman will discuss the clinical application of the evidence base for dietary and microbial interventions to support well-being.

"Integrative Gut Health: The Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis"
Leigh A. Frame, PhD, MHS, CERT ‘20 is the Program Director, Integrative Medicine and the Executive Director, Office of Integrative Medicine and Health at GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dr. Frame is a nutritional immunologist specializing in the relationship between the gut microbiome and nutrition. In this talk, Dr. Frame will tie together our understanding of the gut microbiome, gut health, neurological health, and the crosstalk amongst these and how this can support health or instigate disease.

For more information please visit the official event page.