Cary Cavender, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, earned his medical degree from East Carolina Brody School of Medicine in Greenville, NC. Dr. Cavender completed his pediatric residency at East Carolina University School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Eastern North Carolina and completed his pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition fellowship at the University of Texas-Southwestern in Dallas, TX. His clinical interests/major research include: Functional GI disorders – constipation/ abdominal pain/ dyspepsia/IBS, GE reflux, Eosinophilic GI disorders, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Growth issues/Malnutrition, Obesity.

Byron Lai, Ph.D., MS, assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, completed his doctoral training and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, within the Department of Physical Therapy in the School of Health Professions. He further completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Pediatrics at UAB. He has been conducting exercise research for people with disabilities for eight years under the UAB / Lakeshore Foundation Research Collaborative. Dr. Lai's research interests focus on incorporating technology to provide enjoyable and accessible, evidence-­based exercise programs for people with disabilities. Particular areas of interest include active video gaming, wearable monitoring devices, and therapeutic exercise with music.