David C. Kunkel, MD is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, where he also serves as the Associate Director of the GI Motility and Physiology Program. Dr. Kunkel’s area of research and specialized training is in GI motility and functional disorders. Dr. Kunkel received an American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society (ANMS) clinical award, which he used to obtain specialized training in defecatory disorders and anorectal biofeedback therapy. He has developed the university’s anorectal biofeedback program to treat patients with pelvic floor disorders including fecal incontinence and outlet constipation. Dr. Kunkel’s research interests include irritable bowel syndrome, gastroparesis, biofeedback therapy, and breath testing. His research has been published in a variety of peer-reviewed journals, including The American Journal of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and Neurogastroenterology & Motility. He has published several high impact studies in the field of GI motility and functional disorders, including on post-infectious IBS, methane production in constipation, and use of a GLP-1 agonist for treatment of short bowel syndrome. Dr. Kunkel obtained his Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. After a year of study at the National Institutes of Health under an intramural research training award, he returned to the University of New Mexico and earned his medical degree in 2008. Dr. Kunkel completed his residency in internal medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. His fellowship in gastroenterology is from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) integrated training program in digestive diseases.

The UC San Diego Division of Gastroenterology treats patients with a wide range of gastrointestinal diseases, including: • Gastrointestinal motility disorders • Functional disorders including irritable bowel syndrome • Esophageal disorders • Liver disease • Colon cancer and polyposis syndromes • Pancreatic disease • Hepatitis • Biliary diseases • Inflammatory bowel disease • Peptic ulcer disease • Celiac sprue UC San Diego’s specialists, who are nationally and internationally recognized, have particular clinical expertise in liver transplantation, advanced endoscopic procedures, GI motility, functional disorders, celiac disease, and molecular diagnostics of gastrointestinal cancer. We are also leaders in the fields of minimally-invasive and robotic surgical techniques designed to help our patients recover more quickly and with less scarring. The division’s faculty members are engaged in clinical, basic science, and translational research to further advance the understanding and treatment of gastrointestinal disease. We look forward to working with our patients in the successful management of all GI conditions, from esophageal disorders and inflammatory bowel disease to pancreatic-biliary disorders and gastrointestinal cancers. To schedule an appointment, please call the Gastroenterology clinic at 619-543-2347.

 The UC San Diego GI Motility and Physiology specialists are involved in numerous research studies to improve the detection and treatment of motility and functional disorders. Our research is focused on these areas: • Botox injection for outlet constipation • Esophageal motility and pain • Gastroparesis electromyography patterns to better understand the changes in the electrical pacemaker cells of the stomach • Pelvic floor disorders as they relate to fecal incontinence and constipation • Innovative approaches to anorectal biofeedback therapy • Research using non-invasive three-dimensional ultrasound imaging of the anorectum