Georgios Papachristou, MD

I came to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in 2019 with a goal of expanding the advanced endoscopy program, developing the emerging field of interventional endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and building a strong research infrastructure. Prior to this, I served 13 years at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center where I gained extensive experience in EUS and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), both newer procedures at the time that are used to help physicians treat organs and lesions surrounding the gastrointestinal tract. Among other applications, these less invasive techniques are used for biliary and gallbladder drainage, accessing the excluded stomach after gastric bypass, bypassing gastric outlet obstruction, and draining pancreatic ducts and pancreatic fluid collections. I also led recruitment to improve patient access to advanced endoscopic procedures and expand into treating bariatric surgery complications or implant new devices that promote weight loss. These include intragastric balloon placement, closure of fistulae, and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty procedures.

My initial positions at Ohio State included director of Advanced Endoscopy, medical director of Ambulatory Endoscopy and vice chair of Translational Research in the Department of Internal Medicine, as well as endowed professor of Medicine and Pharmacology.

I was also able to transition several grants to the Ohio State, which allowed me to continue leading clinical and translational research initiatives — including novel studies seeking to improve pancreatitis outcomes.

In 2022, I was named director of the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (GHN). My goals have now expanded to promoting the growth of clinical operations, research, and educational activities for the whole GHN Division. My vision for the GHN Division is to create an environment where passion and expertise in patient care, research and education can thrive.

My most recent leadership roles at the national level include president, treasurer and board member for the Collaborative Alliance for Pancreatic Education & Research (CAPER); mentor for CAPER’s Pancreas Scholars Program; fellow for the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the American Gastroenterology Association (AGA), and the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE); member of the ACG Institute’s Acute Pancreatitis Task Force on Quality. My latest committee roles have included chair of the AGA Abstract Review Committee for Clinical Acute Pancreatitis, and member of the ACG Research Committee, ASGE International Committee, and ACG Educational Affairs Committee.

As a researcher, I am in charge of a number of institutional studies and multicenter collaborations. I direct a translational research laboratory focusing on the immunology and therapy of acute pancreatitis. I receive research funding from the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Defense and industry. I have authored over 200 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.

I am a fellow of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) and the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). I am an active member and serves in scientific committees in all major gastrointestinal professional organizations.

My research focuses on pancreatic diseases. My translational lab studies the immunology of inflammatory pancreatic disorders such as acute, recurrent acute and chronic pancreatitis, which constitute precursors of pancreatic cancer.

I am the PI in a NIDDK R01 award aiming to discover early biomarkers and cytokines of severe acute pancreatitis and pancreatic necrosis and identify the circulating immune cells that correspond with cytokine signatures in early AP and characterize the immune pathways driving the development of severe disease.

Furthermore, I am the PI in a NIDDK U01 award to study the incidence, pathophysiology after an episode of pancreatitis.

Research interests

• Pancreatitis
• Translational Research Biomedical

Education and Career Development

My career in medicine began in my native country of Greece, where I received my medical degree from the University of Patras School of Medicine, graduating first in my class. I then completed my Internal Medicine Residency at the Albany College of Medicine in New York, a Fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of Pittsburgh, and Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopy at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

As faculty at the University of Pittsburgh, I achieved roles as co-director in pancreas research for the Liver Pancreas Institute, director of Endoscopy at the Pittsburgh VA hospital, professor of Medicine, and I also earned my Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of Patras Medical School in Patras, Greece during this time.

Current Research

R01 DK134698 Papachristou, Lacy-Hulbert (PIs) 03/2023- 02/2028
Immune Signatures and Clinical Outcomes in Acute Pancreatitis
Role: Contact-PI

U01 DK127388 Papachristou, Hart, Conwell (PIs) 09/2020- 08/2025
Epidemiology and Pathophysiology of Acute Pancreatitis-related Diabetes Mellitus
Role: Contact-PI

Industry Sponsored Study (Abbvie) Papachristou (PI) 01/2024- 12/2027
Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy for Acute Pancreatitis-Associated Exocrine Insufficiency: the PERT-AP Trial
Role: Contact-PI

DOD HT94252310150 Pandol (PI) 05/2024- 04/2028
Simvastatin treatment to improve patient-reported outcomes in patients with chronic pancreatitis
Role: Site-PI

DOD PR230129 Jung (PIs) 07/2024- 06/2028
Mechanisms of Activin Signaling in Acute Pancreatitis
Role: Site-PI

Investigator Initiated Study (Abbvie) Papachristou (PI) 09/2017- 08/2024
Incidence of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, Nutritional Deficiencies and Impaired Quality of Life following an attack of Acute Pancreatitis
Role: Contact-PI

DOD PR182623 Jeon, Yadav (PIs) 07/2019- 06/2024
Mechanisms and Treatment Development for Pancreatitis Resulting from Alcohol Abuse and Smoking
Role: Site-PI