Dr. David C. Whitcomb is a tenured professor of medicine, cell biology and physiology, and human genetics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He is also chief of the division of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition, as well as, director of the Center for Genomic Studies.

Dr. Whitcomb specializes in pancreaticobiliary disease research, genetics, regulation of the pancreas through mind/pancreas interactions and the effects of alcohol on the pancreas. His clinical interests include pancreatic disorders and genetics and functional genomics.

After obtaining an M.S. and a Ph.D. in physiology and an M.D. at Ohio State University in 1985, Dr. Whitcomb completed a medical residency and gastroenterology fellowship at Duke University. Since joining the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh in 1991 as an assistant professor of medicine, Dr. Whitcomb has also served as Director of the Nutrition Support Service.

Dr. Whitcomb is a member of many professional and scientific societies, including the American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), American Pancreatic Association, American Physiological Society, American College of Gastroenterology and American Society for Clinical Research. Additionally, Dr. Whitcomb has received numerous honors, including the Ohio State University Department of Medicine Research Award. He holds many positions, including elected member of the Nominating Committee of the AGA Pancreatic Disorders Section; member of the AGA Committee on Gastroenterology Research; elected counselor and future president of the American Pancreatic Association; and chairman of Pancreatic Disorders Section of the American Gastroenterology Association.

In addition to co-authoring almost 200 articles, reviews, abstracts, monographs and book chapters, Dr. Whitcomb serves as associate editor of Digestive Disease and Sciences, associate editor of Pancreas and associate editor of Pancreatology.