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Department of Pediatrics

About Us

Dedicated to understanding and promoting child health.

What We Do

Faculty Spotlight

Xiao Wang

Research Associate Professor of Pediatrics

I got M.D and Ph.D degrees in China and post-doctoral training in Japan and U.S.A.

Melanie M Makhija

Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Allergy and Immunology)

I have clinical and research interests in food allergy including immunotherapy and biologic treatments, eosinophilic esophagitis, asthma and primary immunodeficiency. I am currently a primary and co-investigator on several multi-center national and international food allergy, eosinophilic esophagitis and asthma clinical trials.

Manu Jain

Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care) and Pediatrics

My primary research interest is in lung repair after acute injury with a focus on TGF-beta mediated signaling. We have identified mitochondrial generated reactive oxygen species as important in TGF-bête mediated gene expression and are working to identify novel therapeutic targets in this pathway. We are also interested in modulating the ubiquitin-proteosomal pathway as a therapeutic target for tissue fibrosis. I have a clinical translational interest in Cystic Fibrosis. I am the site co-PI for the CF Foundation sponsored clinical trial network, The Therapeutic Development Network. I am also ...

David G Ritacco

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Neurology and Epilepsy)

I am a child neurologist with particular interest in neurology of the newborn. After medical research in physiology as an undergraduate, I pursued research in the psychophysics of vision as a medical student, and was awarded a PhD in neurobiology. I am currently pursuing clinical research, primarily regarding neurological issues in the newborn, including stroke, hypoxic ischemic injury, and use of therapeutic hypothermia.

Conrad L Epting

Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Critical Care) and Pathology

I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa with a BS in Biological Sciences, working alongside Steven Green studying PC12 cell neural differentiation. I completed Medical School at Johns Hopkins, followed by Pediatric Residency at the University of Colorado, working in the laboratory of Steve Abman to understand the evolution of pulmonary vascular disease in animal models. I took pediatric critical care training at UCSF with a Pediatric Scientist Develop Grant to with myogenic stem cell biology and muscle regeneration with a focus on skeletal myogenesis as a model system in...

Parul P Soni

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Emergency Medicine)

Interested in providing quality Pediatric Emergency care, to teach trainees, and to improve overall emergency care for children by contributing to research in this field with special interests in injury prevention, and Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC).

Lisa Kuhns

Research Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Adolescent Medicine)

My primary areas of research interest are prevention of behavioral transmission of HIV infection and promotion of health and wellness among HIV infected adolescent and young adult populations, including sexual and gender minorities. In particular, I have been involved in the development of practical and scalable interventions across the HIV care continuum, including mHealth interventions, in both the United States and internationally. 

Jennifer Schneiderman

Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation)

My primary research interest is the induction of transplant tolerance; as it applies to the prevention and treatment of a/cGVHD in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and prevention and treatment of rejection in solid organ transplantation. As director of the Therapeutic Apheresis Program, I am very active in the field of apheresis, and am committed to providing state of the art apheresis procedures in all children. 

Joel B Fisher

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Hospital-Based Medicine)

I was born and raised in Chicago Illinois. My college education was at the University of Chicago and graduated in 1978 with a major in Geophysical Science. I lettered on the Cross Country and Track Team. I graduated University of Illinois medical school in 1982. I completed a residency in Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota in 1985. I completed a fellowship in Neonatology at the University of Minnesota in 1987. I was an attending neonatologist at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia PA from 1987 through 1993. In 1993 I was named the site leader of the NICU at Northwest Communi...

Paul T Schumacker

Professor of Pediatrics (Neonatology), Cell and Developmental Biology and Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care)

Our lab is interested in the effects of oxygen on cell metabolism, and in the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular oxygen sensing. The signaling pathways activated by hypoxia, and their regulation of transcriptional and post-translational responses in diverse cell types are also of major interest. Current studies focus on the role of mitochondrial redox signaling in the development of pulmonary hypertension. Other current studies focus on cardiomyocyte regeneration in the heart and molecular factors that regulate hypertrophic and hyperplastic remodeling responses.

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Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Lurie Children's is the Fein­berg School of Medicine's affiliated hospital dedicated to pediatric care. Lurie Children's is Illinois' only freestanding hospital exclusively for children and offers pa­tients access to world-class care in a modern, kid-friendly environment.

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Faculty Development

Our faculty is one of our greatest resources. To support them on the paths to successful, fulfilling careers, we make faculty development a priority.<

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Diversity & Inclusion

The Department of Pediatrics strives to create and maintain training programs that mirror the diverse patient population we serve in Chicago. We believe that diverse faculty, residency and fellowship programs are essential to our long-term success as leaders in academic medicine.

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Physician-Scientist Training & Resources

We offer a wide range of resources, mentorship opportunities and formal training programs to help our residents and fellows excel as physician-scientists. Explore all of the resources and hear from housestaff who are making research a major part of their career development plans.

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