James D. Lewis, a professor of medicine and epidemiology and associate director of the inflammatory bowel disease program in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, received the 2016 Achievement in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Clinical Science Award from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA).

During Dr. Lewis’ 20-year career, he has published 200 scholarly articles. Dr. Lewis, who is also a senior scholar in the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, is among few researchers leading NIH-funded clinical trials for novel therapeutic strategies for IBD. He has also conducted studies looking at whether patients treated with various medications for IBD are at increased risk for cancer, infections, neurologic diseases and death, and whether such risks are warranted given the effectiveness of the therapy.

Dr. Lewis is the lead scientist behind CCFA’s IBD Plexus, a resource that will standardize data collection and sharing, allowing researchers to mine extensive patient data for new insights into Crohn’s and colitis.

“The enormous potential to improve the lives of those with IBD is the driving force behind my research efforts,” Dr. Lewis said. “By improving current treatments and creating less toxic therapies, my colleagues and I will continue advancing the body of knowledge in Crohn’s and colitis to help patients control their IBD and improve their quality of life.”