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StephenHanauer

Professor Stephen B. Hanauer is Professor of Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Chicago, USA.

He qualified MD with Honors in 1977 at the University of Illinois. He completed his internship, residency and fellowship at the University of Chicago, and has remained there ever since.

He is now the Director of the Logan Center for GI research, and co-Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research Center at the University of Chicago. He designed and maintains a database of 5000 patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

In 1999, he was made the Gastrointestinal Research Foundation Professor of Medicine, in honor of Dr Joseph B. Kirsner.

Stephen Hanauer is the author of numerous scientific articles, reviews and chapters, particularly about inflammatory bowel disease. He is co-Editor of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, third edition in 1997.

What made you decide to become a gastroenterologist?

Because I liked taking primary responsibility for patient care and enjoyed the challenge of working with "young" patients with a chronic disease (IBD).

Who was the teacher you admired the most?

I have had the great fortune and challenge of working with Dr. Joseph Kirsner as my mentor.

Which research paper influenced you the most?

The early clinical trials in ulcerative colitis by Sidney Truelove and his proteges influenced my interest in clinical research (Jewell & Truelove 1973; Truelove & Jewell 1974; Dissanayake & Truelove 1973, as did the collaborative National Cooperative Crohn's Disease Study 9 Summers et al. 1979).

What is the most important concept that you have discovered?

I have learned that ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are likely not two diseases, but a series of ulcerative colitides and Crohn's diseases.

What is the biggest mistake that you have made?

Not spending enough time with my family while the children were younger.

What is your unfulfilled ambition?

To be able to define IBD according to genetic risks and environmental triggers (identify the relationships between phenotypes and genotypes).

How do you relax?

By jogging and visiting vineyards (not mutually exclusive).

What is your favorite sport?

My favorite sport to watch is American football (Chicago Bears), and to play is tennis.

What is your best place in the world?

At home with my wife, but my favorite place to travel is Provence and the beaches.

What is your favorite film?

...many lately (Being John Malcovich, Run Lola Run, For My Mother).

What car do you drive?

An Accura 3.2TL.

What is your best electronic 'toy'?

My Palm Pilot.

What book are you reading at the moment?

I am reading 'Amsterdam' but recently completed 'Guns, Germs and Steel'.