Faculty Directory

Research

My research interests are in improving outcomes for pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for non-malignant disorders (NMD). My clinical and research backgrounds are a significant strength to pursue these research goals. I have clinical training in pediatric blood and marrow transplantation, including a 4th year of fellowship under Dr. Paul Szabolcs, who has expertise in HSCT for NMD. I spent the approximately 2.5 years of research time during fellowship in a basic science laboratory under the guidance of Dr. Angus Thomson at the University of Pittsburgh Starzl Transplant Institute where I studied cell-based immunotherapy to inhibit immune-mediated complications of HSCT (specifically dendritic cells to inhibit graft-versus-host disease [GVHD]). I joined the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology in August 2013 after completing my fellowship training. In this position, I enrolled in the Certificate Program in Translational Research through the Atlanta Clinical and Translational Science Institute (ACTSI). I have also recently applied for a position in the KL2-MCTRS Program through the ACTSI which would allow for me to transition from the Certificate Program to the full MSCR Program for additional structured training in clinical research. I collaborate with Dr. Lakshmanan Krishnamurti on novel laboratory-based studies of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), including further evaluation of cytokine priming MSCs as a method to enhance their pharmaceutical capacity. MSCs, by virtue of their dual potential to support donor hematopoiesis and inhibit residual recipient T-cells, seem uniquely suited to overcome the significant barrier of engraftment following unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for SCD. The proposed studies provide preliminary data to support IND application for use of autologous MSCs to enhance engraftment in patients undergoing haploidentical HSCT for severe SCD. I am also co-principal investigator for a pilot study of Abatacept (CTLA4 blockade) to prevent GVHD in pediatric patients undergoing HSCT for NMD and the site PI for the Primary Immune Deficiency Treatment Consortium, a U54 sponsored program investigating the outcomes for patients undergoing HSCT for primary immune deficiencies.

Research Center(s)

• Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center (Aflac) →
• Children’s Center for Immunity and Applied Genomics (CIAG) →