Current Projects
Lab Projects (3)
Investigating the Atopic March in Diverse Populations
Through the MPAACH cohort we’re uncovering how atopic dermatitis progresses to other allergic conditions in children, with a focus on both Black and White populations. Our research reveals that non-lesional skin, which is visually unaffected by eczema, plays a critical role in the severity of AD and co-sensitization to allergens. We have discovered that sensitization rates are much higher in children with AD compared to high-risk asthma cohorts, especially in White children.
Our work also shows that the pathways from AD to asthma and other allergic diseases differ between Black and White children. In Black children, genetic and environmental factors primarily drive asthma risk, while White children are more likely to experience sensitization through an impaired skin barrier, leading to the development of food allergy and allergic rhinitis. These studies challenge the traditional atopic march model and support a new framework for understanding allergic disease progression.
Development of the Pediatric Asthma Risk Score (PARS)
Asthma is highly variable, making it difficult to predict which children will develop the disease. The Asthma Predictive Index (API) is widely used but has limited sensitivity (28%), making it less effective at identifying children at risk. To address this, we developed and validated the PARS, a continuous risk score for asthma, which has increased sensitivity and captures children with mild-to-moderate risk. Simple to use and easily implemented in clinical settings, PARS may prove more useful in the future as it screens for a wider variety of asthma risks. We recently validated PARS in several diverse cohorts, including 9 US based asthma cohorts in the ECHO-CREW initiative, with the goal of making PARS an essential tool for clinicians in assessing asthma risk in children.
Investigating Genetic and Environmental Contributions to Pediatric Asthma
Genetic and environmental factors play a significant contribution to the development of childhood asthma. Our research has revealed how genetic pathways for asthma can differ by sex and BMI, and how certain genetic variations increase the risk for asthma is specific populations. Through long-term studies using the CCAAPS cohort, we’ve explored the impact of secondhand smoke (SHS) on childhood allergic diseases. We found a strong link between SHS exposure and asthma, as well as significant interactions between genetic factors and environmental exposures. Our work also showed that infants exposed to higher levels of SHS are more likely to develop rhinitis and persistent wheeze, particularly in combination with other environmental factors like pollution and mold.
3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
© 1999-2025 Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. All rights reserved.
