Pediatrics Research

• Identification of Genetic Modifiers of Disease and Functional Confirmation of the Mechanisms Involved (Jeffrey Teckman, M.D.) 03/09/2021
• Efficacy, safety and tolerability of intranasal Carbetocin in Prader-Willi syndrome (Susan Myers, M.D. and Barbara Whitman, Ph.D.) 02/23/2021
• Novel therapeutic approaches for neuropathic pain (Daniela Salvemini, Ph.D.) 01/26/2021
• Update on Nephrology Studies (Craig Belsha, M.D. and Joseph Maliakkal, M.D.) 01/12/2021

• AHEAD Institute: Health Outcomes Research ( Leslie Hinyard, PhD, MSW) 12/08/2020
• Cardiology and GI 2nd year Fellows Research Projects (Erica Bonura, M.D. and Albert Shan, M.D.) 10/27/2020
• PEM Second-Year Fellows Research Projects (Michael Schildz, M.D. and Jacob Hayes, M.D.) 10/13/2020
• Development of PEG hydrogels for sustained release of GALNS Enzyme (Mike Flanagan, Ph.D.) 1/14/2020

• Faculty Research Presentation - Pediatric Dermatology (Elaine Siegfried, M.D.) 11/26/2019
• Projects in Parent/Clinician Report of Development and Behavior (Jennifer Heithaus, M.D. and DePorres Cormier, M.D.) 10/22/2019
• Fellows Research Presentation (Sara Henen, M.D. and Jorge Gabriel Rosado Gonzales, M.D.) 10/8/2019
• Fellows Research Presentation (Meaghan Raney, D.O. and Danielle Stewart, M.D.) 9/24/2019
• Fellows Research Presentation (Dajana Sabic, D.O. and Brittany Montavon, M.D.) 9/10/2019
• Improving Childhood Immunizations with Cellular Technology (Ajay Jain, M.D.) 8/27/2019
• Critical Vitamin Supplementation to improve organ donor management and transplant graft function (Jeremy Garrett, M.D.) 8/13/2019
• BK Viral Nephropathy and other Renal Transplant Studies (Katherine Gruenkemeyer, RN, CPNP, Craig Belsha, M.D.) 5/28/19
• Utility of Urine Drug Screens in the Current Drug Climate (Sarah Riley, Ph.D., DABCC, FACB) 4/9/2019
• Update on TODAY2 Phase 2 - Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (Margaret Siska, M.D.) 2/26/2019
• Research Update in Immunology (Alan Knutsen, M.D.) 2/12/2019
• Oral Abstract Presentation (Jeff Solomon, M.D.) 1/22/2019
• Work in Progress (Jason Werner, M.D.) 1/22/2019
• Molecularly Guided Therapy for Pediatric Cancers (William Ferguson, M.D.) 1/8/2019

• Great Expectorations: The Pediatric Airway Microbiome (Pulmonary Medicine) 12/11/2018
• Academic, NIH and industry studies of liver disease lead to a new therapeutic trial (Jeffrey Teckman, M.D.) 11/13/18
• Fellows Research Presentation (Lennah Abugisisa, M.D. and Komal Brar, M.D.) 10/9/2018
• Fellows Research Presentation (Christine Denton, M.D. and Lizzy Bergamini, M.D.) 9/11/2018
• Fellows Research Presentation (Neel Arwikar, M.D. and Rekha Gadiparthi, M.D.) 8/28/2018
• Fellows Research Presentation (Manoj Parimi, M.D. and Ed Martinez, M.D.) 8/14/2018
• A Tale of Two Heads: Erythropoietic Consequences of Lobe-specific Mutations in the Transferrin Iron Binding Sites ( Robert Fleming, M.D.) 6/26/2018
• MRI scoring in twin-twin transfusion survivors (Catherine Cibulskis, M.D.) 4/24/2018
• Dissemination and Implementation of Stroke Prevention looking at the Care Environment (DISPLACE Study) (Leili Dolatshahi, M.D.)  4/10/2018
• Please don't go: A deep dive into our continuous decrease in length of stay (David Wathen, D.O.) 3/27/2018
• Improving Renal Outcomes Collaborative (IROC) (Craig Belsha, M.D.) 2/27/2018
• Risk Factors and Outcomes in Pediatric Glomerulonephritis with Crescents: A Multi-Center Retrospective Approach (Joseph Maliakkal, M.D.) 2/27/2018
• Differences in circulating miRNA expression in Prader-Willi syndrome: Is this the key to understanding appetite? (Thomas Ratchford, M.D., GI Fellow) 2/13/2018
• Enzyme replacement therapy: Playing hide-and-seek with the immune system (Adriana Montano, Ph.D.) 1/23/2018
• No gut no gain! Enteral bile acid treatment preserves gut growth but not Parenteral Nutrition associated liver injury in short bowel syndrome (Ajay Jain, M.D.) 1/9/2018

• The Resource Burden of Infections with Rhinovirus/Enterovirus, Influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Children (Jenna Fine, D.O.) 12/12/2017
• Family Reunification in Disasters (Rachel Charney, M.D.) 11/28/2017
• Development and Validation of the Brief Assessment of Emotional Regulation, BAER (Jen Newton (M.D.) 11/14/2017
• Conducting Your Study - Best Practices (Rachel Millinger and Maureen Bresnahan) 10/24/2017

Braddock's research interests and goals are to investigate the prevalence of, consequences (including dysmorphology and longitudinal variation) of prenatal teratogen exposures and birth defects.

Broom's current research is focused on: 

• Improving medical education, specifically related to improving provider-patient communication and the teaching of professionalism.
• Broadening ways to embrace technology (e.g. text messaging) in medical education and patient care.
• Improving the diagnosis and treatment of postpartum depression within the pediatric clinic environment.

• Disaster preparedness
• Acute reactive airway disease
• Wound care
• Trauma care
• Emergency department flow/quality assurance/quality improvement

We have developed CHARGE Syndrome Clinical Database Project (CSCDP), an extensive clinical database within Qualtrics (a SLU-contracted survey tool). Parents or adults with CHARGE syndrome can enter data in the 12 sections of clinical information via a web-based survey tool. We intend to collect as much information as possible on a very large cohort for local "data mining" and as an adjunct to others researching CHARGE syndrome. Provisions are in place to share data with other researchers.

Hillman is interested in ventilator-induced lung injury and the progression of inflammation and injury toward bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants. The focus of his current work is to evaluate the biochemical processes and signaling pathway activated by the initiation of ventilation at birth and developing ways to decrease this injury. He use preterm lamb models to evaluate modes of ventilation and lung injury.

Jain's research interests include pediatric liver diseases. He am part of several multicenter trials relating to pediatric liver diseases. He has a special interest in TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) associated liver disease and am looking at gene targets and novel molecules that would help in the amelioration of a potentially fatal complication of a life-saving therapy.

King's hospital pediatrics areas of focus are GJ outcomes in neurologically impaired children, and inpatient identification and management of obesity. She is currently working on developing scholarly activities in the area of medical education with a focus on clinical reasoning.

Dr. King's current research is focused on cardiac imaging, including CT and MRI.

Neonatal inflammation and immunity: Premature neonates are particularly prone to hyper-inflammatory responses that can lead to chronic inflammatory disorders in critical organs, including the brain, eyes, lungs and intestines. Our goal is to understand how neutrophils, alone and in their interactions with other immune cells, direct inflammatory responses in neonates. To achieve this, our studies are focused on in vitro and in vivo studies of human preterm and term neonates and neonatal mice. Neonatal neutrophil function & production: Neonates have increased susceptibility to the development of neutropenia, defined as subnormal numbers of circulating neutrophils. Studies to better understand the mechanisms that regulate neutrophil production and survival in neonates are primarily focused on two conditions commonly associated with neutropenia: preeclampsia (a pregnancy disorder associated with neonatal neutropenia) and neonatal sepsis.

Kutz's research interests include: diagnostic imaging (decreasing radiation, role of fetal Hg), abuse prevention, medical needs of children in foster care/out of home care.

Ladage's goal is to develop a clinic to provide comprehensive medical services for refugee children entering St. Louis which will include initial screening as well as long term primary care. The clinic will also provide a longitudinal academic experience for SLU medical students pursuing distinction in global health care or service. In addition, she has an interest in the impact of early trauma on social/emotional development and attachment in children adopted internationally.

Lowrie is interested in researching PICU outcomes, as well as pediatric sedation outcomes, processes and quality.

Montaño's research interests include the development of registry and growth charts for patients with MPS IVA; development of bone targeting system for mucopolysaccharides; enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) pre-clinical trial for patients affected with MPS IVA; metabolism for keratan sulfate; substrate reduction therapy for mucopolysaccharidoses; gene therapy in Morquio A disease; studies on chondroitin sulfate metabolism; characterization of hyaluronidases; molecular evolution of glycosaminoglycans; molecular evolution of peptidoglycan receptor proteins (PGRP) and innate immunity.

Myers' research has mainly been growth hormone studies in subjects of all ages with Prader-Willi syndrome. She has also done some diabetes research, and is currently a study evaluating the transition process for adolescents.

Noyes is currently involved in clinical trials in cystic fibrosis, newborn screening for CF, and vocal cord dysfunction in adolescents and college athletes.

Robert S. Ream's current research focuses on describing contemporary practice in pediatric organ donor management across the 58 US organ procurement organizations. This intense period of clinical management typically extends from the declaration of brain death to the recovery of organs in the operating room. The ultimate goal is to determine which aspects of donor management are associated with a greater number of organs donated per donor and improved post transplant organ function. Important liaisons include Mid-America Transplant Services (MTS), the Organ Donation Research Consortium (ODRC) and the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO).

Sadiq's research interests include melatonin use in hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

Sallee's research interests include medical education, parenting and child safety.

Scalzo's current research interests include studying the use of simulation to train physicians in cognitive and psychomotor pediatric emergency medicine skills. He is beginning an ONR-funded project to develop and validate a virtual pediatric simulator to train physicians on high-stakes pediatric emergency medicine scenarios.

Siegfried's research interests include drug development for unmet areas of need in pediatric dermatology, especially severe inflammatory skin disease (atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, overlap) the associated complications of inflammatory skin diseases in children (eczema herpeticum, widespread molluscum, cutaneous Strep, antibiotic-resistant Staph aureus) and pathogenesis (skin barrier defects, altered microbiome and immune dysregulation).

Sobush primarily studies distal airway epithelial cell dynamics in both the developing and adult lung during periods of both steady state and injury in mouse models. Specifically, his work focuses on Club (or Clara) cells as the localized progenitor cell population.

Strand is involved in clinical research regarding neonatal resuscitation, particularly in the delivery room setting. She also studies educational methodology for teaching/learning neonatal resuscitation skills.