Initially known as the Pediatric Research Institute, the Kaul Pediatric Research Institute (KPRI) was created by the Board of Trustees of Children’s of Alabama in 1989 to provide internal funding for junior faculty who were just beginning their academic careers. The initial funding came from proceeds (10%) of the Children’s Miracle Network telethon, with half committed to an endowment, and the other half to support grants submitted by faculty or professionals working at Children’s of Alabama. The first grants were awarded in 1993. Following the donation of an initial $5 million from the Kaul Foundation to increase the endowment, the Board of Trustees changed the name of this program to the Kaul Pediatric Research Institute (KPRI).
KPRI Grant Program
Initially, four two-year grants of $20,000 per year were awarded. With the increase of the contributions to the KPRI and the growth of the endowment, multiple awards are made each year in the amount of $35,000 each for new investigators and $50,000 each for established investigators.
The program is competitive and peer-reviewed in an NIH format. Since 2008, $4,940,000 has been awarded for biomedical research. This represents 72 unique investigators receiving 82 awards, including 16 established investigator awards and 66 new investigator awards. KPRI recipients have received almost $60.7 million in funding. Of these 65 investigators, 53 remain at UAB.
The major goal of the KPRI grant program is to allow investigators to obtain data that will advantage applications for additional extramural funding. This will bring new knowledge to the care of children, leverage the investment of the KPRI, and allow projects to be competitive for the very best science on the national stage. A second, but important, goal is to ensure that a dedicated funding source is available to unique segments of the pediatric research and education.
The cycle for funding is now open. Visit the KPRI Grant Application page.
2021 Awardees
New Investigators
Pallavi Iyer, M.D.
Associate Professor
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes
Project title: "Integrative Genomic Characterization of Pediatric Differentiated Thyroid Cancer"
Project summary: It is often difficult in children with thyroid nodules to determine the need and extent of surgery based solely on fine needle aspiration (FNA) results. In adults, molecular testing panel on FNA sample has been developed to decide if/what type of surgery would be beneficial. We intend to analyze genomic data from thyroid FNA samples of children to find a molecular test that will help guide clinical decisions for children.
Viral Jain, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Neonatology
Project title: "Chorioamnionitis Leads to Altered Neonatal Immune System Development"
Project summary: Chorioamnionitis (chorio) is a leading cause of preterm birth and many of the preterm birth-related complications last for a lifetime, adding to significant healthcare costs. There is no effective management of such complications. This study will help us identify various mechanisms involved in causing altered immune and systemic changes in newborns exposed to chorioamnionitis. These data would help us in finding an effective therapy to prevent chorio related health problems.
Claudette Poole, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Project title: "The Association of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Diabetes Mellitus in Children"
Project summary: Since the start of the COVID19 pandemic, an apparent increase in the rate of children diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM) has been noted. Additionally, there have been several reports of children presenting in severe diabetic ketoacidosis with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is of extreme importance, as well as urgent to more clearly understand this association. We propose screening all children presenting to COA with a new diagnosis of DM or with serious diabetic complications for SARS-C oV-2, and examine the viremia, viral load and characterize antiviral antibody responses in these patients.
Brandon Rocque, M.D.
Associate Professor
Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery
Project title: "Traumatic Stress and Shunt Failure: A Link between Psychology and Inflammation"
Project summary: Hydrocephalus is the most common reason for brain surgery in children, treated with placement of a VP shunt. However, shunts often fail by becoming blocked by brain material. This requires surgery to replace the blocked catheter. There is always a chance that a shunt will fail. The uncertainty about shunt failure can lead to significant psychological stress. It may be that this psychological stress is itself a risk factor for shunt failure. This is because stress can lead to inflammation in the brain, and inflammatory material is what blocks shunts. The purpose of this study is to identify the link between psychological stress and the brain inflammation that leads to shunt failure.
Emily Smitherman, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Pediatric Rheumatology
Project title: "Evaluating Access to Care in Childhood-onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Nephritis"
Project summary: Due to high morbidity and mortality, there is a critical need to better understand how quality of care impacts patient outcomes for childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) nephritis. The current proposal will evaluate the relationship between measures of health care access and patient outcomes in cSLE nephritis. The long-term goal of this work is to develop a health care quality intervention that will improve outcomes for patients with cSLE nephritis.
Kent Willis, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Neonatology
Project title: "The Mycobiome Shapes Oxygen Exposure Lung Injury in Newborns via the Chitin Binding Receptor FIBCDl"
Project summary: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia effects half of all premature infants and reduces their lung function for the remainder of their lives, greatly contributing to their extensive lifetime healthcare cost. Emerging evidence suggests that the fungi that naturally live in the gut and lungs may affect lung injury and repair. In this proposal, we will explore how lung fungi may interact with a type of lung cell that coordinates lung repair. This will help us identify a new mechanism we could explore in future grants, eventually aiming to produce a new therapy for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Established Investigators
William Britt, M.D.
Professor
Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Project title: "Seasonal Coronavirus Infections and Antibody Responses to SARS-CoV-2"
Project summary: We have proposed a study that will help catalog the antibody responses to the outer portion of the human coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, that is responsible for the current pandemic. It is believed that antibodies against this portion of the virus will modify infection and disease associated with this virus. Thus, the goal of current vaccine programs is to generate antibodies against this component of the virus. We will determine how responses to related coronaviruses that commonly infect children influence responses to SARS-CoV-2 and potentially influence responses to vaccines, a critical but unanswered question for vaccine development.
Randy Cron, M.D.
Professor
Division of Pediatric Rheumatology
Project title: "Functional Genomics of Novel Cytokine Storm Syndrome Genes Linked with SARS-CoV- 2"
Project summary: Cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) is a frequently fatal complication of a variety of infections, including the novel pandemic coronavirus, SARS-CoV- 2. There is a strong genetic linkage involving the function of white blood cells that fail to appropriately shut down an immune response leading to multi-system organ failure. There are over a dozen genes linked to CSS, but these have not been explored in SARS CoV-2. The goal of this proposal is to identify novel genes that contribute to CSS in children and adults with SARS-CoV-2 related diseases to better understand disease mechanism, and to help identify appropriate therapy for CSS.
Past Awardees
2020
2020
New Investigator Award
Nitin Arora, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Neonatology
Project title: Interaction Between HCMV and FcRn to Understand Viral Transcytosis Across the Maternal-Fetal Interface.
Sam Gentle, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Neonatology
Project title: Reducing Adverse Delivery Outcomes Through Teleneonatology: a Feasibility Study
Marissa Gowey, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology
Project title: Targeting Self-Regulation in Family-Based Behavioral Treatment for Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Bhuvana Sunil, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes
Project title: Disparities in Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Youth with Type 2 Diabetes
Colm Travers, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Neonatology
Project title: Predicting Episodes of Bradycardia Among Infants with Apnea of Prematurity
Established Investigator Award
Suresh Boppana, M.D.
Professor
Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Project title: Role of HCMV Envelope Protein Glycosylation Patterns on Virus Neutralization
Ambika Ashraf, M.D.
Professor
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes
Project title: Gut Microbiome and Type 2 Diabetes in Children
2019
2019
New Investigator Awards
Ammar Alishlash, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine
Prostacyclin Agonist Therapy for Acute Chest Syndrome in Sickle Cell Mouse Model
Emily E. Johnston, M.D., MS
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
End-of-Life Care of AL Children with Cancer: Disparities and Parent Priorities
Michael A. Lopez, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Neurology
Smad8 in Dystrophic Muscle Disease & Its Role in MicroRNA Regulation & Disease
Donna L. Murdaugh, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
A Longitudinal Pilot Study Examining Neurocognitive Outcomes in Survivors of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Before and After a Cognitive Remediation Program
Gabriela R. Oates, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine
Technology-Enabled Patient Support System for Self-management of Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis
Swetha G. Pinninti, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Infectious Disease
Significance of co-infection with CMV and STI’s during pregnancy
Aman Wadhwa, M.D.
Instructor (7/1/2019)
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Body Composition and Adverse Outcomes in Childhood Cancer
Established Investigator Award
Shannon A. Ross, M.D., MSPH
Associate Professor
Pediatric Infectious Disease
Neuroimaging Findings and Hearing Outcome in Asymptomatic Congenital CMV Infection
2018
2018
New Investigator Awards
Ismail S. Mohamed, M.D.
Associate Professor
Pediatric Neurology
Project title: Computational Neurology for Non-invasive Delineation of the Epileptogenic Zone
Robert P. Richter, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Critical Care
Project title: Heparanase and Endotheliopathy in Pediatric Sepsis
Robert T. Russell, M.D.
Associate Professor
Pediatric General Surgery
Project title: Coagulopathy Following Head Injury in Pediatric Trauma: From Bedside to Bench
Arial A. Salas, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Neonatology
Project title: Effect of Increased Enteral Protein on Body Composition of Preterm Infants: A Randomized Trial
Established Investigator Awards
Daniel I. Feig, M.D.
Professor
Pediatric Nephrology
Project title: ESTaBLISH: Impact of Early life STressors on the BLood pressure and vascular function In adoleScents and cHildren
Gregory K. Friedman, M.D.
Associate Professor
Pediatric Hematology & Oncology
Project title: Immunovirotherapy to Target Pediatric Brain Tumors
Wendy Landier, Ph.D., RN
Associate Professor
Pediatric Hematology & Oncology
Project title: Integrating Technology to Enhance Patient/Family Education in Pediatric Oncology
2017
2017
New Investigator Awards
Matthew Alexander, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Neurology
“Genetic modifiers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy via genome sequencing of discordant siblings”
Margaux Barnes, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Nutrition
“Mediational Analysis of Diet, Physical Activity, and Lean Mass in Youth with IBD”
Jegen Kandasamy, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Neonatology
“Mitochondrial Genetic Contribution to Hyperoxia Induced Lung Injury”
Charitharth (Vivek) Lal, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Neonatology
“The Role of Microbiome Induced Ac-PGP in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia”
Colin Martin, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Surgery
“Maternal and Environmental Influence on Early Neonatal Immunity”
Michael Seifert, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Nephrology
“Early Life Stress and Cardio-renal Disease in Kidney Transplantation"
Established Investigator Awards
Elizabeth Beierle, M.D.
Professor
Pediatric Surgery
“Role of PIM kinase in maintaining hepatoblastoma tumor initiating cell population”
Karen Fowler, Ph.D.
Professor
Pediatric Infectious Diseases
“Racial & ethnic disparities in congenital CMV infection: role of maternal CMV”
2016
2016
Established Investigator Awards
Dr. Suresh Boppana
Project title: Vestibular and Balance Disorders in Children with Congenital CMV Infection (Sergio Stagno Award)
Dr. Randy Cron
Project title: Inhibition of HIV-1 Expression by Regulatory CD4 T Cells (Rud Pohill Award)
New Investigator Awards
Dr. Jennifer Guimbellot
Project title: Development of Personalized Approaches to CFTR Modulator Efficacy
Dr. Manran Ramani
Project title: Mechanisms by which Retinoids Attenuate Hyperoxia-Induced Memory Deficits in Mice
Dr. Julie Wolfson
Project title: A Comprehensive Investigation of Outcome Disparities in Children, Adolescents, & Young Adults with Cancer
Dr. Veronica Sanchez
Project title: HCMV Affects Glioblastoma Invasive Phenotypes
Dr. Purnima Singh
Project title: Molecular Pathogenesis of Anthracycline-related Congestive Heart Failure in Childhood Cancer Survivors
KPRI Quality and Safety Awards
In 2016 Children’s of Alabama and the Kaul Pediatric Research Institute (KPRI) began the KPRI Quality and Safety Award Program. The major goal of the this grant program is to allow teams to identify and address specific quality and safety issues that cannot easily be addressed using existing operational resources or structures.
2020 Awardees
Nicole Samies, D.O.
Fellow
Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Project title: Review of Bacterial Tracheitis Diagnosis and Management
Mary Lauren Scott, M.D.
Associate Professor
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes
Project title: Improving Glycemic Control in High-risk Patients with Type I Diabetes
Past Awardees
2019
2019
Michael Seifert, M.D.
Pediatric Nephrology
Project title: Reducing residual cardiac risk after pediatric kidney transplantation
Betsy Hopson, MSHA
Project title: QI project to improve bowel management in Spina Bifida Clinic
Avi Madan-Swain, Ph.D.
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Margaux Barnes, Ph.D.
Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition
Project title: Improving family centered psychosocial screening
2017
2017
David Galloway, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Nutrition
“Improving Care for Pediatric Constipation: A joint effort between pediatricians and gastroenterologists”
Chrystal Rutledge, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Critical Care
“Development of a Novel Nursing-Focused Pediatric Advanced Life Support Training Program”
2016
2016
Dr. Robert Russell
Project title: Quality Improvement in Imaging Strategies for Ped Appendicitis
Dr. Leslie Hayes
Project title: Reducing Waste in the PICU Through a Standardized Lab Reduction Strategy