Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) and the North American Society for the Study of Celiac Disease (NASSCD) are proud to announce Matthew Shale, MD, PhD as the first recipient of the Young Investigator Award. CDF and NASSCD congratulate Dr. Shale on this remarkable achievement. Dr. Shale is currently pursuing study in the field of celiac disease at Stanford University School of Medicine’s Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection. His involvement in celiac disease research stems from his training as a gastroenterologist, as well as his PhD in gut immunology. These studies led Dr. Shale to want to understand more about the fundamental issue in the intestine: how the immune system knows when to react and when not to react. There is currently an unmet need for treatments for celiac disease. With the funds from the Young Investigator Award, Dr. Shale hopes to find a way to target the immune response in celiac disease, ultimately leading to therapeutic options.

CDF has committed to funding this three-year, $150,000 NASSCD award to support young investigator research in celiac disease. The award monies focus on finding cause and treatment for celiac disease sufferers. The Young Investigator Award is part of CDF’s effort to facilitate the transition of future celiac disease specialists from medical school, to fellowship, to independent clinician-scientist. Celiac disease research is woefully underfunded; it is our hope that these efforts, made possible through our partnership with the North American Society for the Study of Celiac Disease, advance our understanding of this complex disease, and lead to the next breakthrough in celiac disease research.

Click here to watch Dr. Shale’s video and support celiac disease research.

About NASSCD

The NASSCD is the U.S. national society of medical, scientific and allied health professionals in the field of celiac disease. The organization’s overall mission is to advance the fields of celiac disease and gluten-related disorders by fostering research and by promoting excellence in clinical care, including diagnosis and treatment of patients with these conditions.

Celiac Disease Young Investigator Award