Biology of Vascular Disease – Peter Dickie, MD
Dr. Dickies’ research laboratory was established to explore the underlying cellular defects associated with the development of lympathic malformations in humans. Several unique lymphatic endothelial cell lines have been established from patient lesions. Indicative of disease-causing potential, these have displayed aberrant behavior in in vitro functional assays and continue to be studied.
Trauma – Richard Falcone, MD, MPH
Dr. Falcone received funding from the Ohio Department of Public Safety for his work in trauma epidemiology, education and prevention. Dr. Falcone is the Director of the Trauma and Injury Prevention Program.
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation – Jason Frischer, MD
Dr. Frischer is the Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Program Director. He intends on applying to the National Institute of Health for a K08 in 2013.
Intestinal Rehabilitation – Michael Helmrath, MD
Dr. Helmrath is the Director of Surgical Research. He has expertise in gastrointestinal diseases resulting in intestinal failure. His basic science research is focused on the adaptive response of stem cells following surgical loss of the bowel. Multiple projects in the laboratory are focusing on the expansion of intestinal stem cells and the ability to culture and expand both murine and human intestinal epithelium. These projects are support by the National Institutes of Health. Clinically, he is the surgical director of the intestinal rehabilitation center and is actively involved in establishment of the intestinal failure registry and outcome trials in this patient population.
Bariatric Surgery – Thomas Inge, MD, PhD, FACS, FAAP
Dr. Inge and Dr. Jenkins together direct the Center for Bariatric Research and Innovation. In addition to participation in a long and growing list of collaborative studies, this Center partners with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) to lead the national effort to prospectively gather data and publish evidence-based recommendations for use of weight loss surgery in adolescents. The Teen LABS study continues to be funded by the NIDDK, the largest multicenter study to document outcomes of adolescents undergoing weight loss surgery. The Teen-LABS Competitive Renewal Grant was awarded another 5 years of funding in September 2011 to continue this important research. Dr. Inge is the Surgical Director of the Surgical Weight Loss Program for Teens.
Teen-LABS Data Coordinator Center (DCC) – Todd Jenkins, PhD, MPH
Dr. Jenkins and Dr. Buncher together direct the Teen-LABS Data Coordinator Center (DCC) that was awarded 5-year renewal funds in September 2011. The DCC provides data management and statistical expertise, as well as administrative support to the Teen-LABS consortium and ancillary investigations. Dr. Jenkins co-directs the Center for Bariatric Research and Innovation.
Molecular Fetal Therapy – Helen Jones, PhD
Dr. Jones research investigates placental function in cases of placental insufficiency and intrauterine growth restriction with a focus on developing a nanoparticle delivery method for placental treatment. Her research is funded by a K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. She is currently pursuing a secondary appointment in the Division of Reproductive Sciences.
Wound Care Services – Sundeep Keswani, MD
Dr. Keswani is focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying the fetal regenerative wound healing phenotype. If the goals of the project are realized, his work may yield a wide range of therapeutics for diseases characterized by excessive fibroplasia. His basic science interests in fetal wound healing are closely paired with his clinical practice in fetal surgery and he is the Surgical Director for the Pediatric Advanced Wound Care Service which opened in January, 2012. His research is funded by a K08 award from the National Institute of Health.
Colorectal Center – Marc Levitt, MD
Dr. Levitt is actively engaged in a quality of life research project, (the FISH study) to assess how patients are doing following their participation in the Bowel Management Program to treat fecal incontinence. Dr. Levitt traveled to Africa to train pediatric surgeons in colorectal techniques. The trip was supported by at $15,000 grant from Kind Cuts for Kids. Dr. Levitt is the Director of the Colorectal Center.
Fetal Care Center – Foong-Yen Lim, MD
Dr. Lim has expertise in wound healing and fetal cellular and molecular therapeutics research. He is the Surgical Director of the Fetal Care Center.
Chronic Liver Disease – Jaimie Nathan, MD
Dr. Nathan will focus to elucidate the role of the gut microbiome in the modulation of liver injury and cholangiopathies. His studies involve a novel mouse model of small bowel bacteria overgrowth, in which a small bowel self-filling blind loop is surgically created. With this model, he is studying the gut-liver axis as it relates to the pathogenesis of a number of cholangiopathies which can progress to end-stage liver disease.
Biliary Atresia – Gregory Tiao, MD
Dr. Tiao continues to develop his research in Biliary Atresia through an ongoing R01 project funded by the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Tiao is the Surgical Director of Liver Transplantation and the Director of the Small Bowel Program.
Same Day Consultation/Surgery Program - Sean Barnett, MD
Dr. Barnett leads the same day consultation/surgery program at Cincinnati Children's Medical Center Liberty Campus. He has operated on close to 200 patients over the past 2.5 years and continues to have excellent satisfaction from both parents and referring physicians. He has presented at national meetings and has helped other institutions develop their own program. Other divisions within the institution have begun to replicate this experience into their own practice.
