Winston Dunn, M.D.

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 a Professor of Medicine in the Department of Gastroenterology at the University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS.

• 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

• AASLD, ALD SIG Education Committee, Chair, 2019 - 2020
• AASLD, ALD SIG Steering Committee, Member, 2018 - 2021
• AASLD, Member, 1998 - Present

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Research

Overview

Dr. Winston Dunn is a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, where he has served since 2010 and advanced to full professor in 2025. His distinguished career initially focused on genetic determinants of fibrosis regression, innovative care strategies for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), and liver recovery post-Hepatitis C, highlighted by a significant K23-funded NIH project.
Dr. Dunn's recent research has pivoted to pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) applications in hepatology. Notably, his leadership in developing AI-driven prognostic models has culminated in significant publications, including the ALCHAIN model predicting 90-day mortality in alcohol-associated hepatitis, featured prominently in Hepatology. His recent landmark study, "ALADDIN: A Machine Learning Approach to Enhance the Prediction of Significant Fibrosis or Higher in MASLD," published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, further demonstrates his influential role in advancing clinical prognostic tools in liver disease.
In addition to his groundbreaking research, Dr. Dunn leads multiple high-profile clinical trials funded by industry leaders like Novo Nordisk, Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, and Inventiva, investigating novel therapies for NASH and liver fibrosis. His work exemplifies a remarkable fusion of clinical hepatology and cutting-edge AI technology, substantially improving diagnostics, patient outcomes, and therapeutic strategies on a global scale.

• 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

• 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