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12 June 2025 | Volume 20, Issue 2

Welcoming two new GuiCom Members: Pierre Ellul and Bram Verstockt

Written by
Michel Adamina

GuiCom Chair

One of ECCO’s most impactful contributions to the IBD Community lies in the development of evidence-based guidelines and topical reviews—critical tools that inform and guide clinical decision-making and elevate standards of care. This demanding work is supported by GuiCom, which proudly welcomes two new members: Pierre Ellul and Bram Verstockt. Each brings a unique blend of clinical excellence, academic insight and profound commitment to improving outcomes for patients living with IBD.

Pierre Ellul © ECCO

Pierre Ellul is a seasoned gastroenterologist from Malta, where he serves as Chairperson of the Department of Gastroenterology and Immunology. A father of two, Pierre balances a busy clinical practice with active academic engagement, particularly in the areas of IBD epidemiology and the microbiome. He is part of the European GI Training Board and leads its IBD curriculum. His journey with ECCO has been both long-standing and impactful—Pierre was Malta’s first National Representative and has contributed to multiple ECCO Initiatives, including ECCO Guidelines, ECCO Topical Reviews, ECCO CONFER Cases and ECCO Educational Projects. Notably, as a former member of EduCom, he co-developed an online course on capsule endoscopy in IBD.

Pierre’s enthusiasm for joining GuiCom is grounded in a sense of both privilege and purpose. He reflects: “Joining GuiCom is both an honour and a responsibility. Building on the work of my predecessors, I hope to contribute to the continued development of high-quality clinical guidelines that reflect the diverse realities of IBD care across Europe. I bring with me the perspective of a clinician from a smaller country, and I believe it is crucial to ensure that ECCO’s work remains inclusive and applicable across different healthcare systems.” With a strong belief in collaborative practice and evidence-based tools, Pierre aims to support GuiCom in crafting guidance that is both rigorous and universally relevant.

Bram Verstockt is a clinician-scientist at University Hospitals Leuven in Belgium. At just 37 years old, he already stands out as a rising force in the IBD field, combining advanced clinical care with cutting-edge translational research. A father of two, Bram leads his work with a patient-first mindset, operating at the intersection of clinical medicine and high-level academic research. His research focus lies in unravelling IBD biology and heterogeneity, with particular attention to patient stratification and precision medicine—work that has earned him the ECCO Young Researcher Award and the UEG Rising Star Award in 2025.

Bram Verstockt © ECCO

Bram’s motivation for joining GuiCom stems from a deep belief in collective progress. “I firmly believe in the power of collaboration and in the essential role that clear, practical guidance plays in improving care for IBD patients worldwide”, he says. “Translating emerging science into real-world, clinically actionable tools is where we can make the most immediate impact.” With his strong foundation in research and an unwavering commitment to multidisciplinary care, Bram aims to contribute to GuiCom’s mission of bridging science and clinical practice in ways that resonate with healthcare professionals across settings.

Together, Pierre and Bram embody the values and vision of ECCO. Their diverse experiences and shared dedication to patient-centred, evidence-informed care will further strengthen GuiCom’s efforts to deliver meaningful, high-quality guidance to the global IBD Community.

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