Anisa Shaker

Dr. Anisa Shaker is Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the Swallowing and Esophageal Disorders Center at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases. A physician-scientist with clinical expertise in GERD, eosinophilic esophagitis, and swallowing disorders, her NIH-funded research program investigates mechanisms of esophageal injury, repair, and inflammation. She earned her MD from Medical College of Wisconsin, completed residency at Brown University, and gastroenterology fellowship at Washington University.

Her research publications demonstrate consistent focus on esophageal pathophysiology, particularly examining myofibroblast-epithelial interactions in GERD and eosinophilic esophagitis using innovative in vitro models. Recent work explores alcohol's carcinogenic effects, fibroblast subpopulations in inflammation, and clinical aspects of swallowing disorders.

Honors include the Pasadena 'Top Doc' award (2014-2019), AGA Women's Leadership Conference participation (2015), and AAMC Early Career Faculty Development award (2011). She leads multiple NIH grants including an R01 on esophageal myofibroblasts in GERD and has developed immortalized human esophageal cell lines.