Mauro Bortolotti

Prof. Mauro Bortolotti, specialist in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, graduated \cum laude\ in Medicine and Surgery at the Medical School of the University of Bologna. He was First Level Director of the Internal Medicine Ward at the Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology of the Sant Orsola Polyclinic in Bologna, Chief of the Gut Motility Laboratory and of the Section of Diagnosis and Therapy of Diseases of the Esophagus, and a Professor at postgraduate Schools of Internal Medicine and Thoracic Surgery at the University of Bologna. His main fields of research are: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of functional gastrointestinal diseases from the esophagus to the anus. He discovered innovative pharmacological treatments for achalasia with nifedipine and sildenafil, and for functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome with capsaicin, contained in red pepper. He also devised a novel magnetic valve to prevent gastroesophageal reflux and fecal incontinence. His researches have been accepted for presentation to many international and national Congresses, some of which earned him awards. Prof. Bortolotti has organized several national and international Congresses. He was invited to illustrate his researches as a \Visiting Professor\ by the Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the University of Toronto, Canada, and by the Medical Clinic at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. He is the author of 95 publications in main medical journals, of 12 book-related collaborations, and an 800 page book titled Dispepsia published by Piccin (Padova). In 1982, he was a founding member of the European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, a member of the Editorial Board of the journal Neurogastroenterology and Motility, and afterwards a member of the Steering Committee of GISMAD. In 1987, he became an international member of the American Gastroenterological Association. He is frequently asked to be a trusted reviewer for various manuscripts sent for publication to main medical journals.