Matthew D. Coates

Matthew D. Coates, MD, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Medicine and Department of Pharmacology at The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. He serves as Director of Research for the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Director of the Penn State Gastroenterology Data Registry and Biorepository.

His educational background includes an AB from Princeton University (1996), a PhD and MD from the University of Vermont College of Medicine (2005 and 2007), followed by residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Vermont (2010) and fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (2013).

Dr. Coates is a physician-scientist whose research focuses on the interplay between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and neuroendocrine signaling systems. He investigates intestinal serotonin, neurotrophic factors, and their impact on visceral sensation and gastrointestinal function. His laboratory employs molecular techniques (next-generation genomics, immunohistochemistry) and functional testing to explore these mechanisms.

His recent publications (2024-2025) span topics including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, abdominal pain mechanisms, and the role of cannabinoids in visceral sensation. These works highlight a trend towards translational research bridging basic science and clinical gastroenterology, with a strong emphasis on IBD pathophysiology and treatment outcomes.

Dr. Coates has received the Career Citation Milestone Award (2020) for accumulating over 500 citations.

• Career Citation Milestone Award - D (500) Club (2020)

He has secured significant grant funding, including an NIH R01 grant from NIDDK to study the sodium channel NaV1.8 in abdominal pain perception in IBD (2020-2024) and an earlier NINDS grant on serotonin uptake in IBS (2005-2006). His research program is supported by active NIH funding and focuses on neural mechanisms in digestive disorders.

Dr. Coates leads the Penn State Gastroenterology Data Registry and Biorepository, which collects clinical data and biospecimens (intestinal biopsies, blood) to facilitate multi-modal research on gastrointestinal diseases. This resource promotes collaboration and advances in the understanding of IBD and related conditions.