Peter Doyle Higgins, MD, PhD

Dr. Peter Higgins received his bachelor's degree and medical degrees from Duke University and completed a Ph.D. in molecular cancer biology at Duke. He completed a fellowship in gastroenterology at the University of Michigan in 2004, completed an M.Sc. in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and joined the University of Michigan faculty the same year. Dr. Higgins has previously served as the IBD editor for the American Journal of Gastroenterology, the Director of the Michigan Clinical Trial Support Unit, Director of the GI Division Research Advisory Committee, the co-Director of the Clinical Trials Academies, and the chair of the AGA IMIBD section, He currently serves as the Chair of the National Scientific Advisory Committee of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. His research focuses on inflammatory bowel disease, which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. He is interested in the molecular mechanisms of intestinal fibrosis, which leads to intestinal blockages and surgery. Dr. Higgins studies the use of photoacoustic catheters to measure intestinal scarring, the use of novel drugs to reverse intestinal scarring, the development of novel anti=inflammatory drugs, and the prevention of colectomy in severe ulcerative colitis. His clinical research includes studies on patient-reported outcomes in IBD, drug trials in IBD, and biomarker-guided therapy in IBD. Dr. Higgins' research interests are complemented by his clinical interest in improving the quality of care of patients with IBD. He has served as a member of the AGA IBD Quality Measures Committee, and has participated in the development of national guidelines for high quality IBD care. Dr. Higgins has received many honors and awards, including the AGA IBD Clinical Research Excellence Award.

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

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Detection and measurement of inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Mechanisms of intestinal fibrosis, and measurement of fibrosis with ultrasound and biomarkers. Medication holidays after long-term IBD remission. Patient-reported outcomes in IBD.

Higgins IBD Research Group