James Bayrer

James Bayrer, MD, PhD is a Professor of Pediatrics in the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), specializing in pediatric gastroenterology and physician-scientist research. His work focuses on the intestinal epithelium as the body's largest environmentally exposed surface and sensory endocrine organ.

Education:

• M.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (2007)
• Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Case Western Reserve University (2005)

Dr. Bayrer's research program investigates how the intestine senses and responds to environmental stimuli through molecular pathways, with particular focus on enteroendocrine cells as gut chemosensors. His laboratory utilizes human intestinal organoids and animal models to study intestinal wound healing, visceral pain syndromes, and the gut-brain axis. This work has significant implications for understanding and treating pediatric inflammatory bowel disease and related conditions.

Analysis of his publication record shows consistent thematic development from his early work on nuclear receptors to current research on LRH-1's role in intestinal homeostasis, enteroendocrine cell development, and gut-spinal cord connections. His research spans neurogastroenterology, molecular biology, and translational medicine with strong emphasis on pediatric applications.

Major Scientific Awards:

• National Academy of Sciences 2024 Kavli Fellow
• Society for Pediatric Research 2024 New Member Outstanding Science Award
• Mayo Clinic 2024 Kelsey Family Named Professor Lectureship
• Society for Pediatric Research 2023 Elected Member
• American Gastroenterological Association Early Career Investigator Award (2018)

Dr. Bayrer serves as Principal Investigator on multiple NIH-funded research projects totaling over $2 million in active funding, including an R01 grant running through 2026 on LRH-1 activity in gut regeneration. His mentoring includes guidance for junior investigators through the RAP Pilot Award program focused on pediatric IBD organoid research.

The Bayrer Lab at UCSF employs cutting-edge approaches including intestinal organoid biorepositories, genetic disease models, and molecular technologies to investigate epithelial renewal mechanisms and sensory gut epithelium function, with direct applications to developing new treatments for children with gastrointestinal disorders.