Leading Microbiome Scientist Joins Cedars-Sinai

"Dr. Braun is both an innovator and present-day thought leader pushing the frontier of microbiome research," said Stephan R. Targan, MD, director of the Inflammatory Bowel and Immunobiology Research Institute. "His creative and innovative approach to studying the gut microbiome has yielded an invaluable understanding of just how the tens of trillions of microorganisms that comprise the microbiome interact with genes and each other to shape the origins and course of IBD."

Braun’s numerous recognized achievements include the development of novel measurements and analytics of the genetic, immunological and clinical aspects of disease. Targan describes Braun’s expertise as a critical new pillar of the IBD team’s "bench to bedside" research excellence at Cedars-Sinai.

As director of Enterprise Operations, Braun will be part of the IBD institute’s leadership team, supporting and helping to integrate the many established and emerging areas of research.

"Cedars-Sinai is one of the most outstanding centers for IBD research in the world," said Braun, who will also serve as a senior research scientist. "I am eager for this opportunity and look forward to working with my new colleagues to improve the outlook for patients with inflammatory diseases and other conditions affected by the gut microbiome."

Braun, who assumes his role Jan. 4, 2019, comes to Cedars-Sinai after three decades at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, having achieved international recognition for his inspired research and leadership in IBD. He is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the International Early Onset Pediatric IBD Cohort Study, and chair of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Milieu Interieur Consortium of Institut Pasteur, Paris.

"We are proud to have succeeded in attracting a leader and scholar with the stature, impact and influence of Dr. Braun," added Targan, who also holds the Feintech Family Chair in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.