New Investigators

Pallavi Iyer, M.D.
Associate Professor
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes

Project title: "Integrative Genomic Characterization of Pediatric Differentiated Thyroid Cancer"

Viral Jain, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Neonatology

Project title: "Chorioamnionitis Leads to Altered Neonatal Immune System Development"

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"

Brandon Rocque, M.D.
Associate Professor
Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery

Project title: "Traumatic Stress and Shunt Failure: A Link between Psychology and Inflammation"

Emily Smitherman, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Pediatric Rheumatology

Project title: "Evaluating Access to Care in Childhood-onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus 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"

Established Investigators

William Britt, M.D.
Professor
Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Project title: "Seasonal Coronavirus Infections and Antibody Responses to SARS-CoV-2"

Randy Cron, M.D.
Professor
Division of Pediatric Rheumatology

Project title: "Functional Genomics of Novel Cytokine Storm Syndrome Genes Linked with SARS-CoV- 2"

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

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

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

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”

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

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

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

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”

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