Jonathan D. Kaunitz

Dr. Jonathan D. Kaunitz is a Professor of Medicine in the Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and a Senior Clinical-Scientist Investigator at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. His work bridges clinical gastroenterology and fundamental physiological research, with a strong focus on epithelial transport and mucosal defense mechanisms in the gastrointestinal tract.

• University: University of California, Los Angeles
• School: David Geffen School of Medicine
• Department: Department of Medicine
• Academic Rank: Professor
• Research Affiliation: VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System

Dr. Kaunitz’s research centers on gastrointestinal defense, gut chemosensing, and epithelial transport. His laboratory investigates how the gut senses luminal contents via receptors like FFA2 and FFA3, regulates bicarbonate secretion, and protects itself from injury through neural and hormonal pathways. His work has implications for treating secretory diarrhea, IBS, and metabolic diseases. He has contributed to understanding how microbial metabolites, such as tryptamine and short-chain fatty acids, modulate intestinal secretion and motility.

His recent publications highlight trends in gut epithelial signaling, neuro-gastro interactions, and mucosal protection. Themes include G-protein-coupled receptor activation, luminal chemosensing, bicarbonate secretion, and the role of metabolites in gut physiology. His work often employs rodent models to explore mechanistic pathways involved in NSAID-induced injury, colitis, and metabolic regulation.

Dr. Kaunitz was awarded the prestigious 16th Annual Hans H. Ussing Lecture in 2024 by the American Physiological Society, recognizing his outstanding contributions to epithelial transport research. This honor places him among a select group of gastroenterologists and physicians who have advanced fundamental knowledge in this field.

He has advised numerous trainees and collaborators, though specific student names are not listed in the provided texts. His research is supported by VA Merit and Shire Pharmaceuticals, reflecting both federal and industry recognition of his work’s significance. Dr. Kaunitz has led projects on endotoxin uptake, acute pancreatitis prevention, and novel treatments for metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders.

Dr. Kaunitz leads the Kaunitz Laboratory at UCLA, a research group dedicated to unraveling the mechanisms of gut chemosensing and mucosal protection. The lab’s work integrates physiology, pharmacology, and molecular biology to understand how the gut maintains homeostasis and responds to injury. Future research directions include metabolite-based therapies for endotoxin-related diseases and novel interventions for IBS and secretory diarrhea.