Jasmohan S. Bajaj, MD, AGAF, FAASLD

Associate Professor, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University and McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA

@jasmohanbajaj

Hometown:
New Delhi, India

Current residence:
Richmond, VA

DDW^® is celebrating its 50th anniversary. How many of 50 have you attended, and which meeting stands out and why?
I’m younger than DDW so I cannot say I have attended all of them. But my most memorable is New Orleans during my fellowship in 2004 because it was my first oral abstract presentation. The combination of excitement and nerves stayed with me. I’ve been fortunate to have several subsequent presentations at DDW, but that one stands out.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work?

What, there’s life outside work? Kidding aside, I like travel, movies and music. Ranging from old Bollywood to the latest tracks in pop and classical, I’m a voracious consumer of all things entertainment.

What’s your best piece of advice for navigating DDW?

Have a plan ready, otherwise you’ll get swept away. The DDW Mobile App is a great way to have things at the ready.

Which DDW Track do you find the most interesting and why?
“Liver Diseases and Transplantation,” given my interest in this field and AASLD, but also my interest in gut microbiota has made it a challenge to devote time to the liver only. So I compromise and have a game plan ready to also include “Microbiome in Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases.”

How many steps will you take at the meeting?

Knowing the San Diego Convention Center and the multiple meetings, it will be a lot. However, in this age of NAFLD and obesity, I’m sure it will not be enough.