Stephen A. Watts, Ph.D.,, joins the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery as a secondary faculty from the UAB College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Biology. Already an integral part of a team on campus studying gut-brain disease comorbidity, Watts will continue this research involving gastrointestinal disorders and inter-systemic biomedicine while working with the Department of Surgery.

Watts first became involved with the surgical end of this research after presenting at Surgery Grand Rounds last year and discussing the details with Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Director Greg Kennedy, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Steven Watts

“We found that we had much in common and joined together with Dr. James Bibb and others to initiate a collaboration on the gut-brain-nutrition axis,” Watts said. “This research group has invited experienced researchers from a number of disciplines to interact and solve common problems that have both a biological and health basis.”

Vice Chair of Basic Research and Professor of Gastrointestinal Surgery James Bibb, Ph.D., said he looks forward to working with Watts more closely as an affiliate faculty.

“His perspective will meaningfully contribute to surgical science research relating to diet, intestinal disorders and GI surgical procedures,” Bibb said.

Watts is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching, as well as the Dean’s Excellence in Mentoring Award, and is the only faculty on campus who has been awarded the Caroline P. and Charles W. Ireland Award for Scholarly Distinction, the highest award presented for scholarly activity in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences.