Clinical Translational Research Center

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Clinical Translational Research Center

 

  • Meet the Team

     

    The Clinical Translational Research Center (CTRC) provides the resources and staff for the performance of a wide variety of research studies. Our staff works with the investigator and study team to ensure the success of the study and optimal care for the study subject and family.  Learn more about our faculty and staff.

     

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    Director

    A photo of Mark Mitsnefes.

    Mark M. Mitsnefes, MD, MS
    Pediatric Nephrologist

    513-636-0125

    mark.mitsnefes@cchmc.org

    A photo of Mark Mitsnefes.
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    Mark M. Mitsnefes, MD, MS

    Pediatric Nephrologist

    Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

    Phone: 513-636-0125

    Fax: 513-636-7407

    Email: mark.mitsnefes@cchmc.org

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    Specialties

    Nephrology with focus on chronic kidney disease and hypertension

    Biography

    Mark Mitsnefes, MD, MS, is an established clinical investigator with expertise in the area of understanding the development of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in children with chronic kidney disease. The long-term goal of his research is to define biologic targets for interventions to prevent and slow progression of cardiovascular disease in children with chronic kidney disease.

    Dr. Misnefes has received numerous awards, including the Proctor Scolar Award (Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation), the Pediatrician Scientist Award (Children's Health Research Center, NIH), the Clinical Scientist Award (National Kidney Foundation), and has been ranked as one of the Best Doctors in America, 2007-2011.

    Education and Training

    MD: Gorky Medical Institute, Gorky, Russia, 1985.

    Residency: Miami Children's Hospital, Miami, Florida, 1997.

    Fellowship: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2000.

    MS: Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2001.

    Certifications: Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), 1995; Pediatrics, 1996; Pediatric Nephrology, 2001, 2008.

    Publications

    View PubMed Publications

    Grants

    Adiponectin and Cardiovascular Disease in the CKiD Children. Principal Investigator. National Institutes of Health. 2007 - 2011. #R01 DK076957.

    Modify Dietary Behavior in Adolescents with Elevated Blood Pressure. Co-investigator. National Institutes of Health. 2007 - 2012.

    Prospective study of chronic kidney disease in children. Co-investigator, Co-chair of the Cardiovascular Committee. National Institutes of Health. 2003 - 2013. #U01 DK-03-012.

    Cardiovascular disease in children with CKD. Principal Investigator. National Institutes of Health. 2011 - 2016. #K24 DK090070-01.

    Faculty

    A photo of Heidi J. Kalkwarf.
    High Res

    Heidi J. Kalkwarf, PhD, RD

    Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

    Phone: 513-636-3803

    Fax: 513-636-4402

    Email: heidi.kalkwarf@cchmc.org

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    Specialties

    Calcium and bone metabolism; establishing nutrient requirements; calcium metabolism during lactation; bone mineral acquisition in children

    Biography

    Heidi Kalkwarf, PhD, RD, is a nutritional epidemiologist whose research interest is in the development of dietary recommendations to optimize health, particularly bone health.

    She has conducted research, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), focusing on dietary calcium requirements of lactating women and the changes in bone density and in calcium metabolism that occur during lactation and after weaning. Dr. Kalkwarf's research has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and was used by the Institute of Medicine to establish the new dietary calcium intake recommendations for lactating women.

    Dr. Kalkwarf also is investigating the normal patterns of bone growth and development in children and adolescents. The goals of this work are to identify the short term and long term consequences of low bone density in childhood, identify children who are at risk for osteoporosis later in life and to identify interventions to reduce this risk.

    Dr. Kalkwarf came to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center as a postdoctoral fellow in 1990 and joined the faculty in 1993. She earned her master's and doctoral degrees in Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.

    Education and Training

    PhD: Cornell University; Ithaca, NY, 1991. 

    Postdoctoral Fellowship: Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1990-1993. 

    MNS: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 1983. 

    BS: Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 1980. 

    Certification: Registered Dietitian, 1983.

    Publications

    View PubMed Publications

    Grants

    Impact of peripubertal exposure to xenohormones on fat distribution and cytokines. Co-investigator. National Institutes of Health. Apr 2010 - Mar 2012. #R21 ES017315-01A1.

    Cincinnati Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences and Training Grant. Co-investigator. National Institutes of Health. Apr 2009 - Mar 2013. #UL1 RR026314-01.

     

    Co-investigator. National Institutes of Health. Apr 2009 - Mar 2013. #UL1 RR026314-01.

     

    Continued studies of environment impact on puberty. Co-investigator. National Institutes of Health. Sep 2001 - Apr 2015. #U01 ES019453-0.

    Genome Wide Association Study of Bone Mineral Accretion during Childhood.  Co-investigator (Principal investigator of sub-contract).National Institutes of Health. Fen 2010 - Jan 2015. #R01 HD058886-01A2.
    A photo of Jennie Noll, PhD.

    Jennie G. Noll, PhD
    Director of Research, Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology

    513-636-9922

    jennie.noll@cchmc.org

    A photo of Jennie Noll, PhD.
    High Res

    Jennie G. Noll, PhD

    Director of Research, Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology

    Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

    Phone: 513-636-9922

    Fax: 513-636-7756

    Email: jennie.noll@cchmc.org

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    Specialties

    Biography

    Jennie Noll, PhD, is a professor of pediatrics in the Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology. Her primary program of research has focused on the bio-psycho-social health consequences of severe childhood abuse. Through long-term, prospective longitudinal study, Dr. Noll and her colleagues have published some of the most definitive research attesting to the abuse sequelae spanning a host of developmental outcomes including obesity, health-care utilization, teen pregnancy, premature delivery, steep disturbances, stress-responsivity, HPA activity, and cognitive abilities.

    Dr. Noll has forged a particular niche within the field of child maltreatment with her focus on the comprehensive assessment of sexual attitudes and activities, as well as variations in sexual development observed in teens abused as children. In her current R01, over 500 females are being assessed longitudinally throughout adolescence in order to explicate pathways to aberrant sexual development that are directly attributable to the trauma of childhood abuse. Dr. Noll has conducted longitudinal studies of abused women spanning more than 20 years and has published numerous papers attesting to the long-term deleterious health outcomes and intergenerational impact of childhood sexual abuse.

    Dr. Noll holds a joint appointment in CCHMC’s Epidemiology and Biostatistics where she applies quantitative methods and longitudinal data analyses which include time series, trajectory, structural modeling and growth curve approaches Most recently, Dr. Noll has conducted research regarding adolescent internet use patterns, exposures to sexual media, online social behaviors and risk for internet-initiated victimization.

    Education and Training

    BA: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 1990.

    PhD: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 1995.

    Fellowship: Forming Science Careers in Developmental Neurocognition, 1990-1995.

    Publications

    View PubMed Publications

    Grants

    20-year intergenerational longitudinal followup of females abused as children. Principal Investigator. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. 2010-2012. #R03HD060604

    Treatment of Maternal Depression in Home Visitation: Mother and Child Impacts. Co-Investigator. National Institute of Health. 2010-2015. #R01MH087499

    Longitudinal Determination of Outcomes of Adolescents with Fibromyalgia.  Co-Investigator. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. 2009-2014. #R01AR054842.

    Adolescent Bariatrics: Controlled Longitudinal Study of Psychosocial Development. Co-Investigator. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 2008-2013. #R01DK080020-01A.

    Adult Neurobehavioral Late Effects of Pediatric Low Grade Brain Tumors. Co-Investigator. National Cancer Institute. 2008-2013. #R01 CA132899-01.

    A Prospective Investigation of the Mechanisms Involved in Teen Pregnancy. Principal Investigator. 2007-2012.  National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.  #R01HD052533. Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences and Training National Center for Research Resources. National Institute of Health. 2001-2011. #UL1RR026314

    A photo of Scott Powers.

    Scott W. Powers, PhD, ABPP
    Director, Office for Clinical and Translational Research

    513-636-8106

    scott.powers@cchmc.org

    A photo of Scott Powers.
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    Scott W. Powers, PhD, ABPP

    Director, Office for Clinical and Translational Research

    Co-Director, Headache Center

    Director, Center for Child Behavior and Nutrition Research and Training

    Director, Behavioral Science Core, Clinical Translational Research Center

    Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

    Phone: 513-636-8106

    Fax: 513-636-7544

    Email: scott.powers@cchmc.org

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    Specialties

    Clinical trials; migraine/headache; pediatric pain; dietary adherence/nutrition and behavior; cystic fibrosis

    Visit the Powers Lab.

    Education and Training

    AB: Wabash College, Crawfordsville, IN, 1985.

    MS: Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, 1987.

    PhD: The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 1991.

    Residency: Clinical Psychology, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI.

    Fellowship: Pediatric Psychology, Brown University School of Medicine / Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI.

    Certification: Clinical Psychology, Ohio State Board of Psychology, 1992. American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), 2003.

    Publications

    View PubMed Publications

    Grants

    Amitriptyline and Topiramate in the Prevention of Childhood Migraine. Principal Investigator, National Institute of Health and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.  Dec  2011 - Dec 2016. #1U01NS076788-01.

    Adolescent Migraine and Hormones. Co-Investigator, National Headache Foundation (Subcontract from University of Cincinnati).  2012-2014

    NeuroNEXT: Neurological Trials Network. Co-Investigator, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Clinical Site (NIH/NINDS). 2012-2017

    Cincinnati Translational Therapeutics Development Network Center. Co-Investigator. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Jan 2009 - Jan 2014. 

    Longitudinal Determination of Outcomes of Adolescents with Fibromyalgia.     Co-Investigator. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorders.  Aug 2009 - Aug 2014. #R01 AR054842-A2.

    Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA). Co-Director of Behavioral Science Core, National Center for Research Resources. Apr 2009 - Mar 2014. #UL1 RR026314. 

    Research Training in Child Behavior and Nutrition. Principal Investigator /Program Director. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.  Jul 2008 - Jul 2013. #T32 DK 063929-06.

    Motor cortex dysfunction in migraine.  Co-Investigator, National Institute of Health and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Dec 2010 – Dec 2012 No cost extension 2013) #R21NS072817-01.                                    

    Web-based delivery of effective treatment for growth in CF.   Co-Investigator, CCHMC Place Outcomes Research Award.  Jul 2011 – Jul 2013.
    A photo of Lori Stark.

    Lori J. Stark, PhD, ABPP
    Director, Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology

    513-636-7116

    A photo of Lori Stark.
    High Res

    Lori J. Stark, PhD, ABPP

    Director, Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology

    Interim Director, Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

    UC Department of Pediatrics

    Phone: 513-636-7116

    Fax: 513-636-3677

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    Specialties

    Health psychology; anxiety; behavior problems; parent training; adherence to medical regimen; coping with illness; behavioral intervention 

    Visit the Stark Lab.
                              

    Biography

    Lori Stark, PhD, joined Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in 1998 as the director of Psychology.

    Dr. Stark is an authority on parenting of young children. She has applied this expertise to the area of health psychology by working with parents and children to improve their adherence to medical regimes, improving coping with chronic conditions or acute stressors, and providing biobehavioral interventions to conditions such as chronic pain.

    Dr. Stark's work is unique in that it utilizes behavioral and environmental interventions to enhance healthcare outcome in pediatrics. Dr. Stark's expertise is on improving nutritional outcome in children with chronic conditions such as cystic fibrosis.

    Dr. Stark has received continuous funding from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the National Institute of Health to develop and evaluate behavioral interventions and improving nutritional outcome in children with cystic fibrosis.

    Dr. Stark came to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center from Brown University School of Medicine where she was director of Pediatric Psychology at Rhode Island Hospital and associate professor of Psychiatry in Human Behavior at Brown University School of Medicine. Dr. Stark earned her undergraduate degree at Boston University and her graduate degree at West Virginia University.

    Dr. Stark is on the Executive Committee of the Society of Pediatric Psychology, a division within the American Psychological Association. She has written many professional publications in the field of pediatric psychology and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Pediatric Psychology and the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.

    Education and Training

    PhD: West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 1985.

    Internship: Clinical Psychology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 1984-1985.

    Certification: Clinical Psychology, 1985.


    A photo of Elaine Urbina.

    Elaine M. Urbina, MD, MS
    Director, Preventive Cardiology

    513-636-8265

    lipid_htm@cchmc.org

    A photo of Elaine Urbina.
    High Res

    Elaine M. Urbina, MD, MS

    Director, Preventive Cardiology

    Associate Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

    Phone: 513-636-8265

    Fax: 513-636-0162

    Email: lipid_htm@cchmc.org

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    Specialties

    Pediatric high blood pressure and cholesterol, diet and exercise to prevent adult heart disease

    Biography

    Elaine M. Urbina, MD, graduated from the Medical College of Georgia in 1988. She subsequently trained in Pediatrics at the University of California at San Francisco. She completed her Pediatric Cardiology fellowship at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1994 where she accepted an assistant professor position.

    In addition to practicing clinical Pediatric Cardiology at Tulane, she was also director of Preventive Cardiology and the Pediatric Echocardiography Laboratory. Her research interests led her to join the world-renowned Bogalusa Heart Study, one of the longest running epidemiologic studies of CV risk factors in children. As co-investigator under the tutelage of Dr. Gerald S. Berenson, she initiated the non-invasive imaging program and supervised collection of CV data for over a decade.

    Dr. Urbina joined Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center as associate professor in October of 2003 and became director of Preventive Cardiology in 2006. This new opportunity allowed her to concentrate her clinical practice on the diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure and cholesterol. She continues her research studies concentrating on non-invasive imaging methods to measure atherosclerosis with a focus on vascular function abnormalities using the modalities of:

    • Carotid Ultrasound
    • Arterial Stiffness
    • Endothelial Function

    Her current research includes the application of these new techniques to study the roles that pre- and post-natal nutrition, overweight, high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes play in the development of hardening of the arteries.

    Education and Training

    MD: Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, 1988.

    Residency: University of California, San Francisco, CA, 1990; Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 1991 (Pediatrics).

    Fellowship: Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 1994 (Pediatric Cardiology).

    Certification: Pediatrics 1991; Pediatric Cardiology 1994.

    Publications

    View PubMed Publications

    Grants

    Accelerated CV Aging in Youth Related to CV Risk Factor Clusters. Principal Investigator. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Jan 2011-Dec 2016.

    SEARCH 3: Cohort Study - Ohio site. Co-Investigator. Centers for Disease Control & National Institutes of Health. Sept 2010-Oct 2015.

    Cardiovascular Effects of Dietary Fat & Exercise Challenges in Obese Children. Collaborator. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. June 2008-May 2013.

    Modifying Dietary Behavior in Adolescents with Elevated Blood Pressure. Co-Investigator. Natonal Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Dec 2007-Nov 2012.

    Staff

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    Rachel Baker, RN, PhD
    Research Associate

    513-636-6905

    rachel.baker@cchmc.org

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    Becca Harper, RN, MSN
    Clinical Research Manager (Research Nurse Core)

    513-636-8750

    rebecca.harper@cchmc.org


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    Amy Hartkemeyer
    Business Manager

    513-636-4273

    amy.hartkemeyer@cchmc.org

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    Theresa Kenney
    Biochemistry Core Lab Supervisor

    513-636-2229

    theresa.kenney@cchmc.org


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    Suzanne Summer, MS, RD, LD
    Clinical Research Manager (Bionutrition and Body Composition Core)

    (513) 636-2734

    Suzanne.Summer@cchmc.org

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