A stand-alone clinical research site focusing on research and development of new investigational drugs targeting non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and cirrhosis, STRI is delivering unparalleled care and access to clinical trials to patients in the Rio Grande Valley. Dr. Patil also serves as principal investigator for all protocols at South Texas Research Institute and is a community faculty member to the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley. Prior to founding South Texas Research Institute, Dr. Patil built out a general hepatology and NASH clinical research program at The Liver Specialty Center at DHR Health, where she also treated patients with chronic liver disease both pre and post-liver transplant. Dr. Patil received her undergraduate degree in History and Pre-Medical studies from Yale University and completed her medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine. She received training in Internal Medicine at New York University and fellowship training in Hepatology and Liver Transplantation at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Dr. Patil’s specialty interests include non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, NASH cirrhosis, metabolic diseases, and improving access to and diversity in patients recruited for clinical trials in hepatology.