Research to Improve Outcomes in Critically Ill Children
Dr. Jennifer Kaplan’s research laboratory at Cincinnati Children’s is dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of pediatric critical illness through integrated basic, translational, and clinical research. The lab investigates the complex interplay between obesity and the inflammatory response in sepsis, with a particular focus on adipose tissue remodeling and browning, and the role of STAT3 signaling. Innovative models such as human adipose spheroids and body composition analysis in critically ill children are central to this work.
The lab, in collaboration with Dr. Sonya Tang Girdwood, also leads efforts in model-informed precision dosing of beta-lactam antibiotics, optimizing pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in pediatric sepsis. Other collaborative projects include the development of a biobank for small extracellular vesicles (in collaboration with Dr. Basilia Zingarelli) and participation in multicenter clinical trials targeting immunomodulation and biomarker-driven risk stratification.
Dr. Kaplan’s lab is recognized for its translational impact, bridging bench discoveries with bedside applications to improve outcomes in critically ill children.
