Dr. Vela is Associate Professor of Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).  He received his B.Sc. in Medical Sciences and M.D. degree from the Francisco Marroquin University in Guatemala.  He completed his Medical Residency and a one year Clinical Research Fellowship in Esophageal Diseases at the MCP-Hahnemann School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA.  This was followed by a three year Gastroenterology Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, OH.  He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.  Dr. Vela graduated from MUSC’s M.S. in Clinical Research program in 2006. 

Dr. Vela is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), American College of Gastroenterology (ACG); Gastroenterology Research Group, and the South Carolina Gastroenterology Association.  He is currently a member of several committees within the ACG and the AGA.

Dr. Vela has received several honors/awards, including the 2002 American Gastroenterological Association Clinical Scholar Award, the 2005 REGAL (Research Excellence in Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases) Award, a 2006 Faculty Excellence Award from MUSC, a 2007 Emerging GI Leaders Award and fellow with the American College of Gastroenterology (2008). 

Dr. Vela’s research interests are in esophageal disease and swallowing disorders.  His research efforts have been concentrated in the use of multichannel intraluminal impedance monitoring, alone and in combination with manometry and pHmetry, for gastroesophageal reflux detection and esophageal function measurement.  He is also currently funded to study the use of electron microscopy for assessment of esophageal epithelium in GERD patients. He has published over 30 papers in peer-reviewed journals and eight book chapters.

 Dr. Vela's Curriculum Vitae (PDF Format)*

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