Michele Cicala, Born in Naples, Italy. Academic position: Associate Professor in Gastroenterology (MED 12), University Campus Bio Medico, Roma, since July 2005. University Professor of Integrated Clinical-Surgical Systematic Pathology and of Clinical Methodology Courses. Fields of scientific and clinical interest: Gastro-Esophageal reflux disease, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment; diagnosis and treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Gastro-Intestinal Motility; Functional Disorders of the gastro-intestinal tract; biliary motility; pathophysiology of Gallbladder and Sphincter of Oddi diseases. Graduated in Medicine and Surgery, July 1985, Post-graduate degree in Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, July 1989, PhD in Gastrointestinal Diseases, 1994. Winner of a scholarship from the National Council for Research 1989-1991, spent at the II Medizinische Clinic, Ludwig Maximilian Universität, Monaco, Germany. Winner of the 1991 annual prize for a clinical research project of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology. 1985 to 1994 has performed clinical and research activity at the Gastroenterology Department, II Clinica Medica, Policlinico Umberto I, Roma; since 1995 has carried out Outpatient Department duties and research in the Gastroenterology Division at Campus Bio Medico University. Since 2004, is head of the GI Unit and of Digestive Pathophysiology Laboratory. Since 1995, carries out tutorial didactic activity for the Pathophysiology Course, at the Faculty of Medicine, Campus Bio Medico. Member of the Italian (SIGE) and the American (AGA) Society of Gastroenterology. Member of the Advisory Board of GISMAD, Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Motilità dell’Apparato Digerente, since January 2011. Member of the Advisory Board of UNIGASTRO, The Italian Board for Gastroenterology Education, since March 2011. National Coordinator of the NERD network, an Italian expert panel for the study of PPI-resistant non-erosive reflux disease. English written and fluently spoken, knowledge of German.