Center Faculty Members and Staff

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Faculty

Michael J. Rosen, MD, MSCI

Stanford University Endowed Professor for Pediatric IBD and Celiac Disease; Director, Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Center for IBD and Celiac Disease

Dr. Michael J. Rosen is a pediatric gastroenterologist and physician scientist, who has been devoted to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) research since beginning medical training over 20 years ago. He serves as the Director of the Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Center for IBD and Celiac Disease. Dr. Rosen has expertise crossing mucosal immunology and epithelial biology, formal training and experience in clinical and translational investigation with human biospecimens, and direct insight regarding the important clinical challenges caring for children with complicated IBD. His translational research program focuses on how the immune system regulates epithelial function in chronic intestinal inflammation as it relates to IBD. Dr. Rosen’s clinical research program has focused on optimization of anti-TNF therapy in pediatric IBD. His research laboratory has demonstrated a protective role for IL33, a cytokine that induces type 2 cytokines from T cells an innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), in acute oxazolone colitis through preservation of epithelial goblet cells and barrier function. In line with this finding, his research has also shown in a large prospective patient cohort that mucosal expression of type 2 and type 17 immune response genes distinguishes ulcerative colitis (UC) from colon-only Crohn’s disease, and that type 2 gene expression is associated with superior clinical outcome in pediatric UC. The Rosen laboratory has now developed an organoid-immune cell in vitro culture system to demonstrate the ILC2-dependent mechanism through which IL33 induces goblet cell differentiation in the intestinal epithelium. Dr. Rosen led the multicenter study Anti-TNF for Refractory Colitis in Hospitalized Children (ARCH) Study, and he currently Co-Chairs the Crohn's & Colitis Foundations Cohort for Pediatric Translational and Clinical Research in IBD (CAPTURE IBD) and PRO-KIIDS Pediatric IBD clinical research network.

Dorsey Bass, MD

Associate Professor, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

Dr. Dorsey Bass received his medical degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, then proceeded on to complete residency and fellowship training in the city of Boston at Boston City Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, respectively. His professional expertise is in the management and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in children, particularly inflammatory bowel disease. His research background includes more than 15 years in basic and clinical virology of diarrheal agents and more recently a strong interest in cost effective quality care for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. His research experience and more than 25 years of practical clinical work inform his work to find a more appropriate therapy for acute and chronic C. difficile colitis.

Rachel Bensen, MD, MPH

Clinical Associate Professor, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

Dr. Rachel Bensen is a Clinical Associate Professor with Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Stanford University School of Medicine. Her clinical work currently focuses on care of children, teens and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease, chronic liver disease and transplant – including chronic GI diseases, requiring long term therapy, usually with immunosuppressive medications. She is currently a co-investigator on a project entitled “Bay Area Implementation of NICH (Novel Interventions in Children’s Healthcare)” that is funded by the Helmsley Charitable Trust and aims to provide additional support to children and their families with complex and chronic conditions. The proposed project fits well with her interests in improvement science and clinical hepatology experience. The proposed project is an innovative approach to promote early diagnosis and early intervention in a structured, well studied fashion which has the potential to have a meaningful impact on children born with biliary atresia.

Alka Goyal, MD

Clinical Professor; Interim Associate Chief of Clinical Affairs; Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

Dr. Alka Goyal is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine, and the Interim Associate Chief of Clinical Affairs for the Pediatric Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Dr. Goyal has extensive research experience in both clinical and translational research; she is the co-PI and co-I on several active research studies, such as prospective, retrospective, and observational studies. Dr. Goyal’s training under the mentorship of Dr. Deborah Rubin at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri laid a strong foundation for her in basic science research. It is here during her research fellowship that she studied the “Role of Epimorphin on Gut Morphogenesis.” Dr. Goyal then worked as a full-time clinical faculty at University of Pittsburgh. Here, she had the opportunity to serve as a site investigator or co-investigator in several multicenter clinical-translational studies. Dr. Goyal gained expertise in clinical translational research in children by active participation in several multicenter studies including Very Early Onset IBD (NEOPICS), RISK (Risk Stratification and Identification of Immunogenetic and Microbial Markers of Rapid Disease Progression in Children with Crohn’s Disease), PROTECT (Predicting Response to Standardized Pediatric Colitis Therapy) and autologous stem cell transplant in medically refractory Crohn’s disease. Dr. Goyal also conducted a single center study under an IND on the therapeutic potential of gut microbiota transplantation in inflammatory bowel disease. Dr. Goyal was the site PI for the PRODUCE (Personalized Research on Diet in Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease) study and NIH funded “Growth Study” until her move to Stanford University in January 2020. Dr. Goyal’s goal is to provide state of the art comprehensive care to our young patients suffering from IBD using the least immunosuppressive regimens.

Jonathan Moses, MD

Clinical Associate Professor, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition; Celiac Medical Director, Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Center for IBD and Celiac Disease

Dr. Jonathan Moses is a clinical associate professor of pediatric gastroenterology and the Inaugural Medical Director of the IBD Program at the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. He completed his medical education at The Ohio State University College of Medicine in 2005, followed by a residency in Pediatric Gastroenterology at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio in 2008. Dr. Moses further honed his expertise through a fellowship at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Gastroenterology Department in 2012. With his extensive training and experience, Dr. Moses is well-equipped to provide expert care and specialized treatment to young patients with gastrointestinal disorders.

Ana Vanessa Wren, PhD

Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

Dr. Anava Wren is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Stanford University School of Medicine. She serves as a core faculty member in the Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Center for IBD and Celiac Disease. Dr. Wren’s clinical and research work focuses on developing IBD psychosocial programs and improving the lives of youth with IBD. Dr. Wren has built an IBD psychology service that provides psychological assessment and treatment to youth with IBD. Her research has focused on the systematic collection of psychological and pain-related patient reported outcomes in Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Center for IBD and Celiac Disease, piloting pain and stress management interventions for youth with IBD, and examining psychological, pain, and other key IBD outcomes among pediatric IBD populations in large datasets. Dr. Wren’s overarching research to date has focused on: 1) exploring the relationship between psychological, physical, and medical outcomes among chronic illness and chronic pain populations; and 2) the application of novel psychosocial interventions for patients experiencing persistent pain, chronic illnesses, and psychiatric concerns across the lifespan (i.e., children, adolescents, adults). This research has resulted in over 30 peer-reviewed publications.

Ann Ming Yeh, MD

Clinical Professor, Pediatrics- Gastroenterology

Dr. Ann Ming Yeh is a Clinical Professor of Pediatric Gastroenterology at Stanford University. Her research focuses on diet therapies, nutrition, and integrative medicine in pediatric gastroenterology. She has presented her work on various topics at national meetings and completed a two-year fellowship in integrative medicine. Dr. Yeh takes a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to patient care and is a board-certified medical acupuncturist. She currently serves as the program director for the Pediatric Integrative Medicine fellowship at Stanford.

Celiac Disease Faculty

Hilary Jericho, MD, MSCI

Clinical Associate Professor, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition; Celiac Medical Director, Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Center for IBD and Celiac Disease

Dr. Hilary Jericho is a clinical associate professor of pediatric gastroenterology and the Inaugural Medical Director of the Celiac Disease Program at the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital whose clinical practice and research have an emphasis on the diagnosis and management of celiac disease. Dr. Jericho is deeply involved in both local community and national professional societies serving as the Director of the Chicagoland Children’s Health Alliance (CCHA) endoscopy committee, as well as a member of the CCHA celiac committee, the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) celiac special interest group, CeliacKids (a pediatric multi-center celiac research collaborative), the Standards-Based Active Guideline Environment, and the NASPGHAN Endoscopy committee. Dr. Jericho’s clinical work and research focus on pediatric celiac disease (CeD) and has resulted in numerous publications, peer-reviewed articles, and book chapters. This research has also helped to establish her as an expert in the field of pediatric celiac disease leading to invitations to speak and be a moderator at both local and national meetings, including the internationally attended University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center educational preceptorship programs, the NASPGHAN annual meeting and Beyond Celiac. Dr. Jericho has also been called up to provide celiac-specific journal reviews as well as expert opinions to leading publications, including US News and World Report, Reader’s Digest and Reuter’s.

Nasim Khavari, MD, MPH

Clinical Associate Professor, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

Dr. Nasim Khavari is a Clinical Professor with Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Khavari played an important role as our Associate Chief of Clinical Affairs for a three-year term. Under Dr. Khavari’s leadership, several bold clinical initiatives were stewarded. This includes a new GI consult service, an innovative 24/7 inpatient Advanced Complex Endoscopy (ACE) service, right sizing the inpatient clinical FTE, changes in the paging system to alleviate the excessive burden on our clinical fellows, a deep dive into ambulatory redesign and optimization, and integration efforts with our advanced practice providers (APPs). Dr. Khavari is also part of the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Gastroenterology and Celiac Disease Team. She is specialized in Celiac Disease, Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and General Gastroenterology. On top of her many accomplishments, Dr. Khavari also serves as a member of the Maternal & Child Health Research Institute.

Instructors & Postdoctoral Scholars

Ruben Colman, MD, PhD

Instructor, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

Dr. Ruben Colman is an instructor of Pediatrics in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at the Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Center for IBD and Celiac Disease. As a physician-scientist he specializes in the care of children with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and further studies how to improve care and disease outcomes for these patients. Dr. Colman’s research seeks to understand person-specific factors that impact the efficacy of novel therapeutics, and identify new ways to use this information to positively impact the effect and durability of medication. He concurrently completed a PhD specializing in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics titled: “Precision Dosing and Personalized Medicine in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease” which he will defend at the University of Amsterdam in June 2023. Clinically, with his passion to innovate care for children with IBD through personalized medicine, Dr. Colman is pioneering the implementation of point-of-care intestinal ultrasound during routine clinic visits at Stanford/Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. The opportunity to utilize these ultrasound exams will further advance state of the art care and accelerate the ability to make treatment decisions in an efficient, minimally invasive, and patient-oriented manner.

Babajide Ojo, PhD

Instructor, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

Dr. Babajide (Jide) Ojo completed his Ph.D. in 2019 at Oklahoma State University under the supervision of Dr. Edralin Lucas. His Ph.D. investigated the interplay between diet and the gut microbiota in shaping metabolic and transcriptomic outcomes in diet-induced obesity and comorbidities. Dr. Ojo commenced his Postdoctoral training at Cincinnati Children's Hospital in 2020 before moving to Stanford Medicine in 2021 to further his training in the Rosen Lab. In December 2023, he received a promotion to Instructor. His current work aims to understand how biopsy-derived colon organoids may recapitulate the metabolic and epigenetic anomalies in the epithelia of pediatric ulcerative colitis patients.

Ying Zhu, PhD

Postdoctoral Scholar, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

Dr. Ying Zhu has recently joined the Rosen Lab as a postdoctoral scholar. She received her PhD in 2023 from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. Her research studied the role of intestinal Acyl-CoA long-chain synthetase 5 in diet-induced obesity using inducible transgenic mouse model. Now, within the Rosen Lab, Dr. Zhu will be studying intestine epithelial metabolic dysfunction in IBDs and chronic intestinal inflammation. She has a particular focus on studying IBDs in children, aiming to dedicate her efforts to provide significant insights into this crucial area of research.

Administration

Ashley Dunn, MPH

Program Director, Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Center for IBD and Celiac Disease

Ashley Dunn brings more than 10 years of experience working with diverse stakeholders to advance racial, social, and health equity in communities across the United States. In her current role as Program Director, she develops and implements strategies for activating the Stanford University research community to address fundamental problems relevant to pediatric IBD and Celiac disease. Ms. Dunn has extensive experience in strategic planning, program design and evaluation for mission-oriented organizations and communities to deliver equitable, accessible, evidence-based, person-centered programs that improve patient health outcomes. She has led evaluations and provided technical assistance for community-based, national non-profit, and academic organizations. She has additional expertise in mixed methods and qualitative research designs, employing participatory and inductive approaches to develop practical solutions, tools, and resources that create measurable impact.

Leah Alire, BA

Administrative Associate, Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Center for IBD and Celiac Disease

Leah Alire brings a wealth of administrative experience to the team. Following a decade-long tenure as an elementary school teacher, she transitioned to administrative roles in the tech, recruiting, and real estate sectors. Joining the Children's IBD and Celiac Center, Leah is thrilled to engage with the latest research on Celiac Disease, a topic close to her heart as she and her three children are impacted by it. Feeling a strong sense of belonging, Leah eagerly contributes in various capacities to support the center's mission. As a parent managing celiac disease and personally navigating its challenges, she offers valuable insights and hopes to share her experiences to benefit others in similar situations.

Clinical Research and Biorepository

Marielle Gibson, BASc

Biorepository Manager

Marielle Gibson joins us as our inaugural biorepository manager. She will provide ongoing clinical research support to the Center through oversight of the operations and management of our biorepository. She comes to us having worked as an R&D laboratory assistant and clinical assistant, with experience collecting and handling biospecimens, managing patient charts, and enrolling patients in REDCap. Marielle graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2021 and then moved from Toronto to San Francisco to explore the west coast! She loves biking, camping, bikepacking, and is trying to get better at rock climbing. She has a small black cat called PK and likes to cook.

Ally Koh, BA

Clinical Research Coordinator Associate

As a CRC, Ally Koh's main role is interacting with patients and institutions to ensure the smooth conduct of research in the clinic, labs, and hospital. She graduated from the University of Southern Californa in 2022 with a BA in Biology, and minors in Global Health and Spanish. Her curiosity about human connections, biological and social, has led her to publish both wet and dry lab research in her fields of study. In her free time, Ally enjoys teaching yoga, baking, exploring nature, and studying close relationship psychology.

QI Improvement Team

Karoline Criss, MBA

Quality Improvement Advisor

Karoline Criss joined the Center for IBD and Celiac Disease at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health as a Quality Improvement Advisor in July 2023. She brings expertise in daily management systems and hospital-wide strategy to support initiatives of the Center. In partnership with the Center's clinical leadership, she works on projects related to health equity, remission rates, drug monitoring, and peer mentorship. Karoline also advises for a committee focused on hospital-acquired conditions and works on a Stanford Medicine project team to improve health equity reporting across the enterprise. She has prior experience as a senior project manager and operations manager at a large, urban safety-net hospital. Mrs. Criss completed her Executive Master of Business Administration with a focus on strategy at the Quantic School of Business and Technology, and her undergraduate degree at University of Massachusetts, Boston.

Haemi Nam, PhD

Analytics and Clinical Effectiveness Specialist

Haemi Nam is an Analytics and Clinical Effectiveness Specialist and uses data to empower quality improvement. Haemi completed her PhD in Social Psychology at The Ohio State University where she investigated the bi-directional relationship between immune system functioning and social experiences. Previously, Haemi was also a Quantitative UX Researcher at Meta where she sought to make Facebook Groups safe, fun, and diverse. Overall, Haemi is passionate about making statistics accessible and using data to drive positive impact and innovation.

Clinical Care Team

Esveidy Flores-Avila

Medical Assistant specializing in IBD and celiac disease

Esveidy Flores-Avila is a highly skilled Certify Medical Assistant (CMA) who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. With a passion for patient care, Esveidy plays a crucial role in assisting healthcare providers and ensuring smooth operations in medical settings. She is well-versed in performing various clinical tasks, including taking vital signs, coordinating visits with all our team members and assisting with admin tasks. Esveidy's friendly demeanor and excellent communication skills create a welcoming environment for patients, putting them at ease during their visits. Her attention to detail and strong organizational abilities contribute to efficient workflow and patient satisfaction. Esveidy Flores-Avila's dedication and proficiency make her an invaluable asset in the field of medical assisting.

Garret Forshee, LCSW

Social worker specializing in IBD and celiac disease

Garret Forshee is an Advanced Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Stanford Children's Health. He provides academic and mental health support to pediatric IBD and Celiac disease patients and their families and co-leads support groups for patients and caregivers. He assists in providing access to essential resources and supportive communities. He thoroughly enjoys creating programs that offer long lasting support to those in need through the medical clinic and the community.

Lisa Henegar, RN

Registered nurse specializing in IBD and celiac disease

Lisa Henegar is a highly skilled and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) with over 10 years of nursing experience. With a strong educational background and dedication to patient care, Lisa has made a significant impact in her role as an RN. She has a deep understanding of various medical conditions and is adept at providing comprehensive care to patients of all ages. Lisa's commitment to ongoing professional development ensures that she stays abreast of the latest advancements in healthcare practices, delivering evidence-based care. With her expertise and empathetic nature, Lisa Henegar is a trusted and valued member of the nursing profession.

Lia Kapelke, RN

Registered nurse specializing in IBD and celiac disease

Lia Kapelke is a highly skilled Registered Nurse (RN) that started working at Lucile Packard in 2020 on the inpatient side and currently, in the IBD/Clinic in 2021 . With a BS from UC Davis and a Bachelor of Nursing from George Washington University, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role. Amelia is dedicated to providing personalized care to her patients and building trust with them and their families. She is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in medical science, ensuring that she delivers evidence-based care. Amelia Kapelke's professionalism and commitment make her a valued member of the nursing profession.

Alison Borrman Kotzen, MSN, RN, C-PN

Nurse Practitioner specializing in IBD and Celiac Disease

Alison Kotzen is a pediatric nurse practitioner in the IBD and Celiac Disease Center at Stanford Children's Health. She received her MSN from the University of California - San Francisco in 2018 and is board certified through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. She serves as the legislative co-chair of the Bay Area chapter of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners. She has been dedicated to the care of Children with IBD and celiac disease since 2020.

Farah Mardini, RD

Registered dietician specializing in IBD and celiac disease

Farah Mardini is a Clinical Dietitian at Stanford Children's Health, specializing in pediatric celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease. Farah received her B.S. in Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology from UC Berkeley, then completed a clinical dietetic internship at UC Davis Medical Center. With her education, as well as past and current roles, she advises people on the matters of food and nutrition and how they both greatly impact an individual’s health.

Kaylie Nguyen, RN, MS, CPNP

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with special interest in integrative approaches to health

Kaylie Kim Chi Nguyen is a skilled specialist in Gastroenterology, Nutrition, and Hepatology, with an educational background including an MS from UCSF in 2004, an RN degree from UCSF in 2001, and a BS from UCSD in 1996. They are board-certified by the PNCB and have made significant contributions to the field through publications on IBD Nutrition and the comparative effectiveness of diets in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. Kaylie Nguyen, dedicated to improving patient care, is recognized with the Rose Award in 2010, reflecting their commitment to gastroenterology research and better outcomes for patients.

Martina Rigmaiden, PharmD, BCPPS

Advanced Clincial Pharmacist

Martina Rigmaiden is a highly accomplished Advanced Clinical Pharmacist with a wealth of experience in Pediatric Clinical Pharmacy. She has been a part of the Stanford Children’s organization in the Pharmacy department for over 20 years, involved in various Pharmacy roles. Martina earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of the Pacific in 2016. She completed a Pediatric Pharmacy Residency at Stanford Children’s Hospital in 2017 and is a Board Certified Pediatric Pharmacotherapy Specialist. With a strong educational background and expertise in pharmacotherapy, Martina plays a crucial role in optimizing medication therapy and thus patient care. She works closely with healthcare teams to develop medication guidelines, protocols, and implement individualized medication regimens, ensuring the best outcomes for patients. Martina's deep understanding of the evolving IBD medication landscape, drug interactions, dosing, adherence, side effects, complications, insurance coverage challenges, and treatment protocols enables her to provide evidence-based recommendations and ensure medication safety. Her excellent communication skills allow her to effectively educate patients and healthcare professionals on complete medication management. Martina’s commitment to enhancing patient outcomes and her expertise in advanced pediatric pharmacotherapy make her an invaluable asset in the field of clinical pharmacy.

Kristen Wiley

Clinical Coordinator

Kristen Wiley is a highly skilled Clinical Coordinator known for her exceptional organizational abilities and commitment to excellence. With a strong background in healthcare administration, Kristen plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of clinical departments. Her attention to detail and strategic planning skills contribute to efficient patient scheduling and resource allocation. Kristen's effective communication and interpersonal skills allow her to collaborate seamlessly with healthcare professionals and staff, facilitating optimal patient care. Her dedication to maintaining regulatory compliance and implementing quality improvement initiatives makes her a valuable asset in overseeing clinical operations. Kristen Wiley's expertise and leadership qualities make her a trusted Clinical Coordinator in the healthcare industry.

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Our Center brings together a team of talented individuals from clinical research, laboratory research, basic science and the community to propel our mission.

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