Newborn Medicine

Unlocking pathways to improve brain health in children with congenital heart disease, our lab uses advanced MRI techniques to study brain development, injury and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Congenital heart disease — the most common birth defect — is linked to high rates of cognitive and behavioral challenges that begin prenatally. By investigating brain dysmaturation in relation to cardiac physiology, prenatal environment and social factors, we aim to identify targeted neuroprotective strategies that enhance outcomes throughout childhood and beyond.

Research profile

Investigating the role of serpins in maintaining cellular balance and understanding rare genetic disorders, our lab explores how disruptions in protease-serpin interactions contribute to disease. By studying mechanisms of cell stress, protease activity and serpin blockade, we aim to uncover pathways that lead to tissue damage and dysfunction. Our work includes modeling variants of uncertain significance through the Undiagnosed Diseases Network to advance diagnosis and therapeutic strategies for conditions such as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and other serpinopathies.

Luke research profile
Pak research profile
Silverman research profile

Harnessing data science and artificial intelligence to prevent neonatal brain injury, our lab focuses on understanding neurological damage in newborns and developing predictive tools to guide neuroprotective strategies. By integrating large multimodal datasets — including EHR, NIRS, EEG, MRI and vital signs — we study mechanisms of injury in preterm and term infants and design AI-driven algorithms to improve bedside care. Through clinical trials and collaborative research, we aim to transform outcomes for the most vulnerable patients.

Research profile

Decoding the genetic causes of rare childhood diseases through cutting-edge genomics, our lab is committed to uncovering the molecular basis of severe conditions and birth defects in infants and children. Using advanced sequencing technologies such as whole exome and genome sequencing, RNASeq and gene expression profiling, we identify pathogenic variants and investigate their functional impact. Our focus on disorders of pulmonary surfactant metabolism, including genes like SFTPB, SFTPC, ABCA3 and NKX2-1, aims to reveal new therapeutic targets and improve outcomes for children facing life-threatening respiratory diseases.

Wambach research profile
Cole research profile