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Winston Dunn, M.D.

Winston Dunn portrait
Associate Professor, Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Motility
wdunn2@kumc.edu

Professional Background

Dr. Dunn completed his residency training in Internal Medicine at The Mayo Clinic, Rochester. He then completed his Gastroenterology Fellowship from the University of California, San Diego, and subsequently Transplant Hepatology Fellowship at The Mayo Clinic, Rochester as well. Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Department of Gastroenterology at the University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS.

Education and Training
  • BS, Biochemistry, Univ. of British Columbia
  • MD, Medicine, Finch Univ of Health Sciences
  • Residency, Internal Medicine Residency, Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Rochester, MN
  • Clinical Fellowship, Gastroenterology Fellowship, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, CA
  • Clinical Fellowship, Transplant Hepatology Fellowship, Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Rochester, MN
Professional Affiliations
  • AASLD, ALD SIG Education Committee, Chair, 2019 - 2020
  • AASLD, ALD SIG Steering Committee, Member, 2018 - 2021
  • AASLD, Member, 1998 - Present

Research

Overview

Dr. Dunn's early research revolved around the genetics of fibrosis regression and the management of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), with notable industry and investigator-initiated studies including the groundbreaking K23-funded project on liver recovery post-Hepatitis C and innovative strategies improving care for NASH patients. His work has transitioned into pioneering applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in hepatology, marked by significant advancements in prognostics and diagnostics.
The recent acceptance of "An Artificial Intelligence-generated Model Predicts 90-day Survival in Alcohol-associated Hepatitis: A Global Cohort Study" by Hepatology underscores this shift. The study, part of the Global AlcHep initiative, showcases an AI-driven model (ALCHAIN) excelling in 30 and 90-day mortality predictions over traditional methods, accessible via a public web calculator. This innovation represents a leap in clinical care for Alcohol-associated Hepatitis (AH), offering precision in prognosis and aiding in therapeutic decision-making.
Parallelly, Dr. Dunn's manuscript "ALADDIN: A Machine Learning Approach to Enhance the Prediction of Advanced Fibrosis and At-Risk MASH in MASLD," submitted to the Journal of Hepatology, introduces a machine learning-based calculator for assessing Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), demonstrating superior accuracy in predicting advanced fibrosis and at-risk MASH. This work highlights the transformative potential of AI in managing MASLD, enhancing global diagnostic standards and patient care through accessible online tools.
Dr. Dunn actively leads several key research grants focused on NASH and fibrosis, including innovative trials like the Phase 3 study of lanifibranor in NASH (NATiV3) and a series of pivotal studies with Novo Nordisk and Madrigal Pharmaceuticals. These projects not only contribute to understanding NASH's complex pathogenesis but also to developing novel therapeutic strategies.
Conclusively, Dr. Dunn's transition into AI-driven hepatology research signifies a new horizon in liver disease management, blending cutting-edge technology with clinical science to revolutionize patient care and outcomes. His contributions continue to set benchmarks in the field, promising a future where AI and medicine converge to improve health globally.

Current Research and Grants
  • A Phase 3, Multinational, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study of MGL-3196 (Resmetirom) in Patients With Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and Fibrosis to Resolve NASH and Reduce Progression to Cirrhosis and/or Hepatic Decompensation, Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc., PI
Publications
  • Dunn, W, Vittal, A, Zhao, J, He, J, Chakraborty, S, Whitener, M, Fohn, S, Ash, R, Taylor, R., M, Olyaee, M, Olson, J., C, Todd, N, Floyd, B., N, Pandya, P, Laycock, M, Schmitt, T, Weinman, S., A. 2019. PNPLA3 gene predicts clinical recovery after sustained virological response in decompensated hepatitis C cirrhosis.. BMJ open gastroenterology, 6 (1), e000241
  • Dunn, W, Chalasani, N. 2019. Advice Regarding Alcohol Use by Individuals With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Primum non nocere.. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.), 69 (1), 9-11
  • Dunn, W, O'Neil, M, Zhao, J, Wu, C., H, Roberts, B, Chakraborty, S, Sherman, C, Weaver, B, Taylor, R, Olson, J, Olyaee, M, Gilroy, R, Schmitt, T, Wan, Y., J, Weinman, S., A. 2014. Donor PNPLA3 rs738409 genotype affects fibrosis progression in liver transplantation for hepatitis C.. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.), 59 (2), 453-60
  • Weng, G, Dunn, W. 2019. Effect of alcohol consumption on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.. Translational gastroenterology and hepatology, 4, 70
  • Al-Hihi, E, Shankweiler, C, Stricklen, D, Gibson, C, Dunn, W. 2017. Electronic medical record alert improves HCV testing for baby boomers in primary care setting: adults born during 1945-1965.. BMJ open quality, 6 (2), e000084
  • Vaa, B., E, Asrani, S., K, Dunn, W, Kamath, P., S, Shah, V., H. 2011. Influence of serum sodium on MELD-based survival prediction in alcoholic hepatitis.. Mayo Clinic proceedings, 86 (1), 37-42
  • Dunn, W, Jamil, L., H, Brown, L., S, Wiesner, R., H, Kim, W., R, Menon, K., V, Malinchoc, M, Kamath, P., S, Shah, V. 2005. MELD accurately predicts mortality in patients with alcoholic hepatitis.. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.), 41 (2), 353-8
  • Dunn, W, Sanyal, A., J, Brunt, E., M, Unalp-Arida, A, Donohue, M, McCullough, A., J, Schwimmer, J., B. 2012. Modest alcohol consumption is associated with decreased prevalence of steatohepatitis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).. Journal of hepatology, 57 (2), 384-91
  • Dunn, W, Xu, R, Schwimmer, J., B. 2008. Modest wine drinking and decreased prevalence of suspected nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.), 47 (6), 1947-54
  • Dunn, W, Angulo, P, Sanderson, S, Jamil, L., H, Stadheim, L, Rosen, C, Malinchoc, M, Kamath, P., S, Shah, V., H. 2006. Utility of a new model to diagnose an alcohol basis for steatohepatitis.. Gastroenterology, 131 (4), 1057-63