August 5, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Local Researcher Takes Top Honors

Cedars-Sinai’s Stephan R. Targan, MD, a pioneering physician and researcher in gastroenterology, has been awarded the Sherman Prize for groundbreaking work in the understanding and treatment of debilitating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Targan, director of the F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel and Immunobiology Research Institute at Cedars-Sinai, accepted the award recently at a private ceremony in New York.

The Sherman Prize was established by the Bruce and Cynthia Sherman Charitable Foundation to recognize and reward outstanding medical professionals, educators and advocates who are advancing research and improving patient care in the field of Crohn’s disease and colitis.

Supporting the work of exceptional healthcare professionals is a personal mission for the Shermans,who have family members affected by Crohn’s.

“Not only has Dr. Targan helped to fundamentally change the way IBD is treated, he has trained, mentored and inspired hundreds of physician scientists around the world, multiplying the impact of his life’s work,” said Bruce Sherman.

“He has brightened the future of millions of people living with the disease.”

Targan is the principal investigator of the longest study of genetic and immunological causes of inflammatory bowel disease ever funded by the National Institutes of Health.

A hallmark of his research is an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the various ways IBD can affect patients. He calls it a “360” approach.

“We bring experts together from several areas of science to try and understand this disease,” Targan said.

“Our work has revealed that this challenging disorder in fact comprises several forms of the disease, each with a different biology causing chronic and painful inflammation of the intestines.”

Targan received one of two Sherman Prizes of $100,000 awarded to individuals with extraordinary records of achievement in addressing the challenge of IBD.

“The award will be used to support promising research with an eye towards personalizing treatment. Our goal is to identify patients with particular subtypes of the disease and design drugs to treat their specific form of the illness,” Targan said.

One of the most significant outcomes of Targan’s research has been scientific discoveries and clinical trials that have led to the development of the first biologic treatment for IBD patients, an effective therapy that can put the disease in remission. His passion for this work is fueled by a desire to eliminate the suffering he has witnessed over a long career.

“Some of the sickest people with this disease come to us from around the world. People who are so frustrated in their search for relief. People who have lost hope,” Targan said. “There is nothing more exciting than being able to turn the course of their devastating disease and improve their lives. It is incredibly rewarding.”

Stephan R. Targan, MD, with the Sherman Prize for Excellence, presented by Bruce and Cynthia Sherman.
Photo: Alex Li.
Related Posts

Deadly Crosswalk Hit and Run in West Adams, Victim Hit Multiple Times and Left to Die

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Police Seek Public Help to Identify Three Drivers Who Struck and Killed a Pedestrian  Detectives with the Los Angeles Police...

Woman Shot During Attempted Electric Bicycle Robbery in Culver City

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Suspects Remain at Large After Confrontation Ends in Gunfire Early Monday morning, gunfire erupted during an attempted robbery on Sepulveda...

DUI Suspect Crashed Into Parked Cars in Culver City, Injuring Residents

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Crash Sent Three People to the Hospital on Sunday Afternoon  Culver City Police arrested a man Sunday afternoon following a...

Elvis Meets Oedipus at the Getty Villa in Fall Premiere of Oedipus the King, Mama!

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Getty Villa Stages Rock-Fueled Oedipus Satire Under the Stars The Getty Villa Museum will bring the myth of Oedipus to...

Culver City Approves 344-Unit Project, Drops Office Space From Jefferson Site Plan

August 3, 2025

August 3, 2025

More Housing, Less Office Space as Long-Stalled Site Moves Toward Construction Culver City officials have signed off on a revised...

Cary Grant’s Former Beverly Hills Estate Hits Market for $77.5M

August 3, 2025

August 3, 2025

Rebuilt by His Widow, the Home Now Offers Sweeping Views Once owned by Hollywood legend Cary Grant, a Beverly Hills...

LA Housing Permits Rebound in Q2: Wildfire Rebuild and Fast-Tracked Reviews Spur Modest Growth

August 3, 2025

August 3, 2025

New Data Shows a 37% Quarterly Jump in Residential Permits, Long-Term Uncertainty Looms Residential development in Los Angeles picked up...

Federal Court Upholds Stay on Trump-Era Immigration Raids in California

August 3, 2025

August 3, 2025

Detention Horror Stories and Legal Pressure Keep Feds at Bay  A federal appeals court on Friday upheld a temporary order...

Two LA County Deputies Charged in Off-Duty Scheme Tied to Crypto ‘Godfather’

August 2, 2025

August 2, 2025

Deputies Accused of Abusing Law Enforcement Powers for Beverly Hills Mogul One Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy pleaded guilty,...

Metro Releases Draft Environmental Report for Sepulveda Transit Project, Public Comment Now Open

August 2, 2025

August 2, 2025

Six Route Alternatives Under Review for Valley-To-Westside Connection The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has released its Draft...

Trump Administration Freezes $200M in UCLA Research Funds Over Student Protests

August 2, 2025

August 2, 2025

UCLA Says Freeze Harms Life-Saving Research With No Connection to Stated Reason Donald Trump’s administration has blocked $200 million in...

Culver City’s National Night Out Returns August 5 With K9 Demo, Live Music, and Fun

August 2, 2025

August 2, 2025

This Year’s Celebration Moves to the Culver Steps to Encourage Community Spirit Culver City’s annual National Night Out celebration returns...

City Installs Crosswalks In Sawtelle District After Residents Paint Their Own

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

Los Angeles Begins Official Safety Upgrades Near Stoner Park City crews began installing official crosswalks Friday near Stoner Park in...

HARD Summer Returns This Weekend With New Sound Strategy After 2024 Noise Complaints

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

Sold-Out EDM and Hip-Hop Festival Runs Saturday and Sunday at Hollywood Park The HARD Summer music festival is set to...

Free Document Shredding, Electronics Recycling Set for Saturday in Culver City

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

Culver City Offers Secure Way to Recycle Tech and Shred Paper This Weekend Residents will have the opportunity to responsibly...