Bethesda, MD (April 20, 2026) — The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) is proud to announce the selection of 84 recipients to receive $2.9 million in research funding through the annual AGA Research Foundation Awards Program .
“For more than 40 years, the AGA Research Foundation has played a vital role in advancing discoveries that are transforming digestive health,” said Michael Camilleri, MD, DSc, AGAF, chair of the AGA Research Foundation. “In today’s evolving funding landscape, our mission is more important than ever. By investing in some of the most promising investigators in our field, we are accelerating breakthroughs that will lead to better treatments and improved outcomes for patients with digestive diseases.”
The AGA Research Awards Program is made possible thanks to generous donors and funders. Learn more about the AGA Research Foundation .
Meet the recipients
Research Scholar Awards
AGA-Gastric Cancer Foundation Ben Feinstein Memorial Research Scholar Award in Gastric Cancer
Jeong Yun Yang, MD, Columbia University
Specialty Awards
AGA-Caroline Craig Augustyn & Damian Augustyn Award in Digestive Cancer
Meng-Ju Wu, PhD, University of Massachusetts
AGA-R. Robert & Sally Funderburg Research Award in Gastric Cancer
Jill Weatherhead, MD, PhD, Baylor University College of Medicine
AGA-Celltrion Fellowship-to-Faculty Transition Award in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Samantha Bai, MD, PhD, Washington University
AGA Pilot Research Award
AGA-Beyond Celiac Pilot Research Award in Celiac Disease
Kathryn Hamilton, PhD, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Undergraduate Research Awards
AGA-Aman Armaan Ahmed Family SURF for Success Program
AGA-Dr. Harvey Young Education & Development Foundation’s Young Guts Scholar Program
AGA Fellow Abstract of the Year Award
Aisha Qazi, PhD, University of Illinois Chicago
AGA Fellow Abstract Awards
AGA Student Abstract of the Year Award
Eric Sha, BA, Vanderbilt University
AGA Student Abstract Awards
AGA–Eric Esrailian Student Abstract Prize
AGA–Radhika Srinivasan Student Abstract Prize
AGA Abstract Award for Health Disparities Research
AGA-Moti L. & Kamla Rustgi International Travel Award
Media contact : Annie Mehl, AGA communications and media relations manager, media@gastro.org , 301-327-0013
About the AGA Institute
The American Gastroenterological Association is the trusted voice of the GI community. Founded in 1897, AGA represents members from around the globe who are involved in all aspects of the science, practice, and advancement of gastroenterology. The AGA Institute administers the practice, research, and educational programs of the organization. www.gastro.org
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