Ethan Bortniker, MD

Assistant Professor, Medicine (Affiliate)

Research Overview

As a new member of faculty, I am excited to embark on a research and clinical career here at the Uconn in the field of gastroenterology. I am planning to have a focus in colorectal cancer prevention, screening, and risk assessment and modification. Currently I am planning studies involving how the fecal microbiome affects colon polyp formation (in collaboration with Jackson Labs), and the use of fecal immunohistochemically testing (FIT, currently used as a possible screening modality) to detect colorectal neoplasms during the interval between screening colonoscopies. I have just started a study to evaluate the use of smartphone applications in GI conditions (Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Colorectal Cancer Screening). The FIT project is a continuation of a pilot retrospective study I was involved with as a fellow here at UConn which was presented as an abstract earlier this year at national GI meeting. Additional areas I am looking to explore include the role for treating obesity to decrease risk of polyps and colorectal cancer (association with obesity and colorectal cancer well established, mechanism and effect of treatment area that needs more investigation), and the benefits of integrating colorectal cancer prevention into a broader disease prevention clinical program.

Education

Boston University 2004 BA/Medical Sciences

Boston University 2008 MD

Recent Publications