Our Program

The UCLA Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases is recognized worldwide for the unparalleled diagnosis, treatment, and research aimed at combating debilitating and deadly disorders affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

The UCLA Fellowship Program in digestive diseases produces experts in every facet of clinical gastroenterology, hepatology, and related research. It is among the largest program of its kind in the nation, with 22 fellows receiving training at any time, along with more than 88 full-time faculty members.

The core training includes a minimum of 18 months of clinical rotations and a weekly continuity clinic for the duration of the fellowship. This schedule meets or exceeds the requirements mandated by the American College of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Our program is fully accredited by the ACGME and received a maximum 5-year accreditation with a commendation on our last accreditation cycle.

The clinical training component typically takes place over three years, during which fellows are immersed in intensive hospital-based and outpatient rotations in gastroenterology and hepatology. These rotations ensure a diversity of clinical presentations and patient populations. Additionally, they provide every fellow with equal exposure to the faculty and their research interests. Extensive endoscopic experience is also provided during this time as well as in the third year and beyond for fellows accepted to an advanced endoscopy training program.

The centerpiece for didactic instruction is a weekly two-hour core curriculum seminar series. It is a dynamic, interdisciplinary program that features lectures from internationally recognized authorities in GI disorders and hepatology. This series is augmented by inviting lecturers from partner disciplines such as surgery, nutrition, pediatrics, molecular biology, radiology and physiology. Visiting professors from other national and international centers of excellence also give presentations; approximately 4-6 visiting professors come to UCLA annually, and the series culminates each spring with a keynote lecture by the Schwabe-Walsh Visiting Professor, from input by the fellows and faculty.

In addition to the primary clinical training, and in keeping with the division's mandate to train leaders in digestive diseases, fellows are required to pursue research and intellectual creativity in any relevant area of their choosing. Basic science, translational and clinical disciplines are well-represented. Minimal training can be accomplished in three years, but individual research may require longer periods.

Fellows pursue academic training in one of two well-defined tracks: (1) Research Scholar Track, and (2) Clinical Scholar Track.

Research Scholar Track

The research scholar track is a 3-5 year track with 75% guaranteed protected time during each year after the first year. Fellows in this track complete all the ACGME-required clinical training (18 months) and then focus on obtaining an advanced degree, conducting focused research with a mentor, and obtaining unique research and methodological skills. 

Our funding sources for the research scholar track include the UCLA Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Disease’s NIH T32 Training Grant, the Specialty Training and Advanced Research (STAR) Program at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and the Master of Science Clinical Research MSCR-IGNITE Program. The research scholar track optimally culminates in receipt of a Career Development Award from the NIH (K08, K23), VA (CSR&D, HSR&D), or a GI Society (AGA, ACG, ASGE) and placement in an academic position is the desired expected outcome. 70% of fellows matriculating through the research scholar track over the past decade currently hold academic GI faculty appointments. Depending on the research scholar fellow’s desired career path, they may participate in either the STAR Program, MSCR-IGNITE Program, National Clinician Scholars Program (NCSP) along with their clinical fellowship. All research fellows, regardless of the specific research training program they are accepted into (e.g., STAR, MSCR, NCSP), can apply to our NIH T32 training grant which will provide additional salary and research support and mentoring. 

UCLA Specialty Training and Advanced Research (STAR) Program 

The majority our program’s research scholar fellows participate in the UCLA STAR Program, which is supported by the UCLA Department of Medicine (DoM) and offers aspiring physician-scientists structured, dedicated research training alongside clinical residency or fellowship, catering to both MD-PhD graduates and those aiming to earn a PhD. The STAR Program has three career tracks for GI fellows: Basic science (PhD), health services (PhD), and post-doctoral (for those who already have a PhD). Basic and translational research PhD pathways usually require a 5-year program to complete the clinical and research training. 

UCLA Master of Science Clinical Research (MSCR) IGNITE Program 

Research scholar fellows who are interested in pursuing a clinician investigator path may choose to participate in the UCLA MSCR IGNITE Program, which is a specialized initiative designed to support up to four qualified fellows per year from the DoM by providing funding and resources to help them complete the MSCR program.

UCLA National Clinician Scholars Program (NCSP) 

Research scholar fellows may also choose to apply to participate in the UCLA National Clinician Scholars Program (NCSP) is a two-year, intensive fellowship tailored for early-career physicians.

Please note that candidates for STAR Program or NIH training grant support must be permanent residents or citizens of the U.S. to apply.

More about our GI research training programs | More about our GI research programs 

Clinical Scholar Track

The clinical scholars track is a 36-month fellowship with a focus on developing top clinicians with an interest in critical thinking, the scientific process, and clinical research. This track includes 18 months of core clinical requirements, 10-12 months of senior rotations and electives tailored to research interest and career goals, and 4-6 months of research with directed mentorship, culminating in published abstracts and manuscripts. The goal of the clinical scholar track is to graduate fellows into clinical academic positions in university-based GI divisions.