Innovation
In Research
ACTIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS
MAINTAIN Study
REVAMP Research Study
Lean Body Mass after ESG: Factors & Changes
MAINTAIN Study
REVAMP Research Study
Lean Body Mass after ESG: Factors & Changes
Ablate Weight II Study
Endoscopic Gastric Mucosal Ablation as a Primary Obesity Therapy
HAPCET 2.0 Study
ESG Response after IGB: Clinical Outcomes
TORe + Aftercare: Big Weight Loss
Ablate Weight Study
Class III Obesity & ESG: Weight, Health Benefits
PERCEBT: Unveiling Endoscopy Patient Profiles
Spatz3 Adjustable Balloon Post Approval Study
RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
True You Weight Loss is the nation’s leading research organization in endoscopic bariatrics. Our team of experts has contributed to advancing minimally invasive weight loss procedures, publishing more than 50 articles in prestigious, peer-reviewed medical journals.
RESEARCH TEAM
Dr. Christopher McGowan, MD,
MSCR, AGAF: Research Director
Dr. McGowan directs the Clinical Research team at True You Weight Loss, bringing nearly 20 years of clinical research expertise and the same passion and energy that he dedicates to his patients’ weight loss outcomes. Dr. McGowan completed a GI Epidemiology fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a Master of Science in Clinical Research from the prestigious Gillings School of Global Public Health. He has authored numerous first-author publications in the leading scientific journals, including: Gastroenterology; Gastrointestinal Endoscopy; Obesity Surgery; Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Hepatology; Radiology; Endoscopy. Dr. McGowan is excited to contribute to advancing the field of endoscopic weight loss through True You Weight Loss’ innovative research efforts.
Dr. Daniel B. Maselli, MD:
Associate Research Director
Dr. Maselli has passion for endoscopic bariatric therapies (EBTs), which includes conducting research to answer pertinent questions about how we can understand, modify, and improve these therapies to achieve better outcomes for our patients. His primary interests for research are the use of EBTs for fatty liver disease and other obesity-associated comorbidities, understanding the physiologic mechanisms of EBTs, defining a patient-tailored approach to EBT options, combination EBT and anti-obesity medications, and the development of novel EBTs. Dr. Maselli’s interest in clinical research began while he was a gastroenterology fellow at the Mayo Clinic where he was mentored in the research of EBT, anti-obesity medications, and gastrointestinal motor function. Dr. Maselli also completed Mayo Clinic’s postdoctoral certificate program in clinical research at the Center for Clinical and Translational Science. Dr. Maselli has published widely in both medical textbooks and medical journals and looks forward to continuing to drive the field of EBT forward with novel and cutting-edge research at True You Weight Loss.
Dr. Lauren Donnangelo, MD, ABOM: Physician-Investigator
Dr. Donnangelo is passionate about research and innovation in the fields of bariatric endoscopy, obesity, gastroenterology, and medical education. She has received national and institutional research grants through the American Gastroenterological Association Academy of Educators, Duke, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Science for Life Program, and the Lawrence M. Goodman Research Trust. Dr. Donnangelo was named an Emerging Liver Scholar by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Foundation in 2019, and her work has been featured in leading scientific journals including Gastroenterology, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and Obesity Surgery. Dr. Donnangelo is excited to continue to advance the field of endobariatrics through state-of-the-art research, innovation, and education.
Dr. Brian Coan MD, FACS
As a double board-certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Coan dedicates his career of more than 20 years to enhancing lives by combining surgery with wellness solutions. His commitment to holistic well-being led him to found True You Weight Loss with Dr. McGowan. Under his direction, True You Weight Loss has emerged as a global leader in endobariatrics, transforming thousands of lives through high-quality, compassionate care and innovative weight management solutions making it the first and largest private endobariatric center in the world. Working together with Dr. McGowan they have combined GI expertise with Mechanical Engineering know-how and Plastic and General Surgery principles to not only advance the procedures delivered at True You by making them safer and more effective, but also enhance the overall patient experience. More than 5000 patients to date have enjoyed real and lasting weight loss success.
Shannon Casey, Clinical Research Project Manager
Shannon graduated from the University of South Florida with dual degrees in gerontology and biomedical sciences and a minor in public health. She continued her studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she graduated with a masters in gerontology. While her research interest was first piqued in the laboratory helping with benchtop research, she found the most joy interacting with patients in the clinical research setting. She has worked in research study and site management for various disciplines, including gastroenterology, dermatology, neurology, and gynecology. She is excited to have found her home at True You Weight Loss, working alongside staff and providers who are advancing patient-centered care and weight loss research.
Chase Wooley, Clinical Research Coordinator
Chase earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As an undergraduate, he fell in love with clinical research while studying prenatal substance abuse and how it relates to baby brain development. He has served as a physical activity coach and health educator while assisting in studies aimed at improving care and outcomes for individuals with osteoarthritis. He has also worked as an EMT, assisted with COVID-19 outreach, and volunteered in projects to raise awareness about health disparities for underserved and low-income populations. Chase is excited to continue pursuing research that is truly impactful and will improve the well-being of patients.
RESEARCH TRAINING
As a team, True You is committed to conducting ethical, responsible, and patient-centered research in a professional and comfortable setting. That is why our medical professionals including our MDs, RDs, and NPs are certified and have successfully completed training from The Association of Clinical Research Professionals for human research protection.
COME FIND YOURSELF AT TRUE YOU FREEDOM IS WAITING
frequently asked questions
Why should I participate in research?
Clinical research is the primary source of medical and healthcare advancement. By participating in research, patients can actively engage in their own health while helping others. As a voluntary research participant, you are contributing to medical research to help discover better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease.
What is an IRB and why does it matter?
Will my participation in research be kept private?
Yes. Researchers are required by law to keep all information confidential. The primary way by which this is done is to assign a study ID to all study participants so that names or other identifying information is removed for your protection and privacy. Further, access to your private information and your medical record will be maintained in a secure, encrypted, password- protected electronic health record.
What is informed consent?
The informed consent process is an essential part of the protection of research participants. Informed consent is an ongoing conversation and process to help patients decide whether or not to participate in a clinical trial, by understanding their role as a “subject of research”. The informed consent includes an explanation of the research purpose, how the research is conducted, the potential risks and benefits of participating, and the voluntary nature of participation. Documentation of informed consent is obtained by using an WCG IRB approved form that will be signed by the participant and the investigator.
Our informed consent process will include the following:
- A statement explaining that the study involves research.
- An explanation of the purposes of the research.
- The expected length of time for participation.
- A description of all the procedures that will be completed during enrollment on the clinical trial.
- Information about all experimental procedures that will be completed during the clinical trial.
- A description of any reasonably foreseeable risks or discomforts.
- A description of any benefits to you or to others which may reasonably be expected from the research.
- A disclosure of appropriate alternative procedures or courses of treatment, if any, that might be advantageous to you.
- A statement describing the extent, if any, to which confidentiality of records identifying the subject will be maintained.
- For research involving more than minimal risk, an explanation as to whether any compensation and an explanation as to whether any medical treatments are available if injury occurs and, if so, what they consist of, or where further information may be obtained.
- An explanation of whom to contact for answers to pertinent questions about the research and research subjects’ rights, and whom to contact in the event of a research-related injury to the participant.
- A statement that participation is voluntary, that refusal to participate will involve no penalty or loss of benefits to which the participant is otherwise entitled, and that the subject may discontinue participation at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled.
Source: FDA Gov | Informed Consent
