Meet our team of Gastroenterologist & Nutritionists
Our staff is licensed and has over 20 years of experience.
Erick Alayo, M.D. AGAF
Gastroenterologist
Dr. Erick Alayo's special interests are those conditions that affect your liver and pancreas. In addition to his clinical skills, Dr. Alayo has a large experience in clinical research with many publications, awards and grants through his career. Dr. Alayo's gastroenterology practice is located Southern California and services the people of Chula Vista and San Diego.
We Practice Evidence Based Medicine
Evidence-based medicine (EBM) aims to apply the best available evidence gained from the scientific method to medical decision making. It seeks to assess the quality of evidence of the risks and benefits of treatments (including lack of treatment).
Marilyn Rodriguez
Clinical Research Coordinator
Marilyn is a Clinical Research Coordinator here at GastroSB with 8 years of helping Patients Coordinate their healthcare, and help find a perfect Trial in which suits them best. Specializing in Clinical Research trials with an emphasis in GI, Marilyn uses that experience to help move Science forward and create drug development while abiding by GCP & GDP.
"By focusing on our South Bay underserved community I'm proud to say that I've helped make a difference in reaching this population while providing quality health care to those uninsured/underserved". – Marilyn Rodriguez
Claudia Torres
Clinical Research Coordinator
Claudia Claudia works as a Clinical Research Coordinator at GastroSB. She has been a Clinical Research professional with 14 years of experience spanning from pharmaceutical companies, CROs, and private research clinics, managing Phase I-IV protocols across diverse therapeutic areas including Oncology, Neurology, and Gastroenterology. All of which following regulatory agencies’ regulations, GCP compliance, performing end-to-end study management—from site start-up to close-out activities.
Cynthia Alba, MS, RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Cynthia Alba is a bilingual Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a diverse background in clinical nutrition, dietetics, and exercise science. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Food & Nutrition from San Diego State University, Master of Science in Kinesiology & Exercise Science from Point Loma Nazarene University, and completed additional education in Dietetics at the University of
Northern Colorado.
Cynthia has extensive experience providing individualized nutrition counseling for gastrointestinal conditions, including IBS, GERD, and IBD, as well as weight management, diabetes, cardiovascular health, kidney disease, and women's health. Her clinical experience includes outpatient care, primary care, telehealth, community health, and nutrition education.
Her approach combines evidence-based nutrition with practical, sustainable lifestyle changes tailored to each patient's medical needs, culture, food preferences, and personal goals. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Cynthia is passionate about helping patients better understand the connection between nutrition and their health while providing a supportive and culturally sensitive environment.
Cynthia's goal is to help patients develop realistic habits that improve digestive health, support long-term weight management, and enhance overall well-being.
What Our Patients Are Saying About Dr. Alayo
Losing weight was very difficult for me until I came to Dr. Alayo’s clinic. I lost 11 pounds in one month with diet modification and weight loss medications.
Diet Testimonial – B.S., Patient
I am very grateful with the service that Dr. Alayo and his staff provided to me.
Weight Loss Clinic Testimonial – J.J., Patient
Top of the line staff very friendly and willing to cooperate with any unexpected changes. Dr Alayo is very professional. Happy to be his patient.
Weight Loss Clinic
Testimonial – A.D., Patient
Our team is committed to the well-being and health of all our patients.
RESOURCES
Benefits of GAME
Research began in the early 1990’s as a division of GCSA (Gastroenterology Clinic of San Antonio). As faculty at the medical school we had a desire to help patients that had diseases and disorders that conventional medicine had no cure for. Additionally, through grants we were able to provide care for patients whom standard therapies were unaffordable. As our research led to publications and national recognition more research grants became available and we soon formed a separate entity known as GERSA (Gastroenterology Research of San Antonio) with a dedicated clinical research lab and staff whose sole purpose is to conduct research and render care to our patients enrolled in trials.
These efforts have brought many medications to market that are now helping millions of people worldwide. We generally have 10 molecules we are studying at any one time. We also have developed novel endoscopic techniques that have prevented invasive surgeries.
