Overview
Cleveland Clinic in Florida is a premier destination for innovative research, exceptional patient care, and advanced education in digestive health. As part of the globally recognized Cleveland Clinic Digestive Disease Institute, our team is dedicated to advancing treatments for complex digestive diseases through rigorous clinical trials, cutting-edge research, patient-centered programs, multidisciplinary collaboration and world-class training programs.
With specialized divisions including Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Hepatobiliary Surgery, and Abdominal Transplant Surgery, the Digestive Disease Institute leverages state-of-the-art facilities, advanced technology, robust research designs, and expert clinical staff to deliver groundbreaking solutions. From minimally invasive surgical techniques to advanced therapies for liver and intestinal transplantation, we prioritize evidence-based practices that enhance outcomes and improve quality of life for our patients.
Our institute also serves as a hub for academic excellence, offering comprehensive research fellowships, advanced training programs, and mentorship opportunities to cultivate the next generation of leaders in digestive health. Through these efforts, we empower physicians, surgeons, and researchers to further elevate standards of care and innovation.
The Institute welcomes collaboration with industry partners to foster groundbreaking research that addresses unmet needs in digestive health. Together, we aim to push the boundaries of healthcare innovation, ensuring a better future for patients and their families.
Research updates
Stay informed on the latest research developments and groundbreaking studies.
Who We Are
Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital’s Digestive Disease Institute research team is composed of dedicated professionals committed to advancing digestive disease care:
Investigators
- Marylise Boutros, MD
- Xaralambos Zervos, DO
- Asad Ur Rahman MD, FACP
- Sameh Rizkalla, MD
- Mayank Roy, MD
- Tilak Shah, MD, MHS
- Giovanna da Silva, MD
- Steven Wexner, MD
- Samuel Szomstein, MD
- Emanuela Alvarenga, MD
- Tolga Erim, DO
- Eric Weiss, MD
- Dana Sands, MD
- Emanuele Lo Menzo, MD
- Kalyan Bhamidimarri, MD
- Fernando Castro, MD
Research Team
Together, we collaborate to advance the understanding and treatment of digestive diseases through cutting-edge clinical research. Our team is committed to innovation, mentorship, and fostering a supportive environment for both patients and researchers.
Manager Research Program - DDI
Ana Lacombe
Clinical Research Project Manager
Mauricio Sarmiento Cobos
Manager Research Program
Calvin Killingbeck
Manager Research
Loretta Arroyo
Clinical Research Coordinator I
Michael Nicolas
Clinical Research Coordinator II
Juan Armijos
Nurse Research Coordinator - Colorectal Surgery
Claudia DiVenti, BSN, RN
Program Manager I - Colorectal Surgery
Georgia Rigas
Quality Assurance/Regulatory Manager
Cecilia Calvo
Clinical Research Regulatory Coordinator
Anagha Nair
Supervisor Research
Maria Balestrini
What We Do
Mission statement
The mission of Cleveland Clinic’s Digestive Disease Institute (DDI) in Florida is to redefine excellence in digestive health care through groundbreaking research, transformative innovation and a compassionate, multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach.
We are committed to advancing medical knowledge by conducting robustly designed studies that produce high-level evidence to address clinical challenges and improve patient outcomes. Our research aims to change clinical practice, develop innovative solutions to complex problems and lead the way in our respective fields.
By fostering collaboration among healthcare professionals, prioritizing impactful discoveries, and maintaining a relentless focus on quality, we strive to shape the future of digestive disease prevention, treatment and care. Our goal is to empower clinicians, influence policy and set new global standards in healthcare, ensuring sustainable and meaningful improvements in the lives of patients worldwide.
Divisions within DDI
- Gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition research: Advancing evidence-based treatments for complex gastrointestinal and liver diseases through clinical trials and translational research, while exploring innovative nutritional therapies to optimize patient outcomes and recovery.
- Colorectal surgery research: Investigating and advancing minimally invasive surgical techniques through clinical and translational research to enhance outcomes for colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, pelvic floor disorders and other bowel diseases.
- General surgery, bariatric surgery and hepatobiliary surgery research: Advancing clinical and translational research in surgical techniques to improve outcomes for patients with complex digestive disorders, obesity-related conditions, and hepatobiliary diseases.
- Abdominal transplant research: Leading innovative research in organ transplantation to enhance survival rates and quality of life for patients with liver or intestinal failure through advancements in immunosuppression, graft preservation, and surgical techniques.
Each division focuses on specialized areas of research to ensure comprehensive advancements in patient care, contributing to Cleveland Clinic’s reputation as a global leader in healthcare.
Working With Industry Partners
Our institute also serves as an ideal research site for industry sponsors, offering:
- Extensive expertise: A highly skilled team of researchers, physicians and coordinators experienced in conducting Phase I-IV clinical trials.
- Diverse patient population: Access to a broad demographic base, enabling studies across diverse patient profiles.
- State-of-the-art infrastructure: Advanced labs, imaging capabilities and cutting-edge facilities to support all phases of research.
- Efficient study management: A dedicated research administration team ensuring streamlined processes, compliance and timely communication.
Partner with us
Cleveland Clinic’s Digestive Disease Institute in Florida is a trusted partner for industry sponsors seeking a premier research site. With a proven track record of excellence in clinical research, we provide the ideal environment to bring your innovations to life.
Why choose us?
- World-class expertise: A team of leading clinicians and researchers with a focus on advancing digestive health.
- Comprehensive support: From protocol design to study completion, our research administration ensures efficient and transparent collaboration.
- Regulatory excellence: Full compliance with all FDA and IRB standards, ensuring ethical and high-quality research.
How to collaborate
To initiate a sponsored study, please contact our research administration team:Ana Lacombe
Manager Research Program
Email: lacomba3@ccf.org
Office phone: 954.659.5098
Mobile: 786.679.8916
Let’s work together to drive innovation and make a lasting impact in digestive health care.
Clinical trials
Learn more about clinical trials at Cleveland Clinic in Florida.
Current Research Fellow
Highlighting the accomplishments of our past fellows and their continued contributions to the field of digestive disease research.
Dr. Anjelli Wignakumar achieved her medical degree from Imperial College London in 2020, and earned her BSc (Hons) in Medical Management from Imperial College Business School.
Following her graduation, Dr. Wignakumar completed foundation training in the UK, gaining a breath of experience in medical, surgical and community medicine fields. She then worked at the renowned St Mary's Hospital in London, as part of the plastic surgery trauma team.
Currently, Dr. Wignakumar is a research fellow in the colorectal surgery department under the esteemed guidance of Dr. Wexner and Dr. Boutros.
Since joining the team, Dr. Wignakumar's notable study, "Does the Sequence of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis Matter for Patients with Multiple Primary Cancers? A SEER Database Cohort Study," earned first prizes at The Cleveland Clinic Florida Research Week in May 2024 and The International Colorectal Disease Symposium in February 2025, as well as being presented as a podium presentation at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2024.
She continues to conduct numerous retrospective and prospective studies under the guidance and mentorship of Dr. Rizkalla, and collaborates with international centers on multi-center projects. Additionally, Dr. Wignakumar supervises medical students in the department's summer research programs.
Research Training
Our surgical research training program offers hands-on experience and mentorship in cutting-edge techniques and trials.
How to apply for training positions
Research Fellowships at Cleveland Clinic provide the opportunity to discover the research process, collaborate on existing research or create new research projects with Cleveland Clinic staff. The goal of the research fellowship is that under the mentorship of the primary investigator the research fellow will develop basic research skills which can then be practiced in the clinical environment with the hope of publication of their efforts.
Join our mission to innovate and transform healthcare. We offer training opportunities for those passionate about research:
- Contact: Georgia Rigas
- Email: rigasg@ccf.org
- Application requirements: Submit a CV, cover letter and two professional references.
Our fellowship program provides hands-on experience in clinical research and the opportunity to work alongside leading experts in digestive diseases.
Educational opportunity
To learn about research educational opportunities, visit the Voluntary Visiting Researcher Program offered through Graduate Medical Education.
Contact us
For general inquiries and more information:
Ana Lacombe
Manager Research Program
Email: lacomba3@ccf.org
Office phone: 954.659.5098
Mobile: 786.679.8916
