Sam Cheng, M.D.

Sam Cheng, MD, MSc, PhD, is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Florida College of Medicine and a board-certified pediatric gastroenterologist. He earned his medical degree and master’s degree in clinical investigation from Tongji Medical University in China. As a World Health Organization Fellow at Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London, he received additional training in molecular biology and genetics. He subsequently earned his PhD in ion transport physiology and biochemistry from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

Dr. Cheng completed pediatric residency training at Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, China, and SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. During his postdoctoral training at Vanderbilt University and subsequent faculty appointment at Yale University, he expanded his research expertise in intestinal fluid and electrolyte transport and nutrition, while pioneering research into the role of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) in gastrointestinal physiology and pathophysiology, particularly in relation to diarrheal diseases.

Dr. Cheng’s academic work has resulted in multiple awards, research grants, patents, and peer-reviewed publications in leading journals, including the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Gastroenterology, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Journal of Physiology. His current work integrates his background as a gastrointestinal physiologist with his clinical expertise in pediatric gastroenterology, with particular emphasis on intestinal failure and short bowel syndrome, pediatric nutrition, and acute and chronic diarrheal disorders.

A major focus of Dr. Cheng’s translational research is the development of next-generation oral rehydration therapies for diarrheal diseases. Building on his pioneering work on CaSR-mediated regulation of intestinal fluid and electrolyte transport, he is investigating strategies that extend oral rehydration therapy beyond replacement of fluid and electrolytes to modulation of intestinal fluid homeostasis and reduction of ongoing diarrheal losses. His work includes clinical investigation of calcium-enhanced oral rehydration therapy and the development of novel CaSR-targeted approaches designed to improve the effectiveness of conventional oral rehydration solution, particularly in patients with severe diarrhea.

At the University of Florida, Dr. Cheng previously directed the Pediatric Anorectal Manometry Program. He currently helps lead the Pediatric Short Bowel Syndrome Clinic and serves as Co-Director of the UF Pediatric Intestinal Rehabilitation Program. His clinical and research efforts are directed toward translating gastrointestinal physiology and nutritional science into novel therapies that improve outcomes for children and adults with diarrheal diseases and complex intestinal disorders.