Search Results for “Clinical research”

Growing Clinical Research at Nationwide Children’s With Cynthia Gerhardt, PhD

Dr. Gerhardt was appointed Chief Clinical Research Officer at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in April 2023. With integrating clinical care and research at the heart of the hospital’s strategic plan, she has big plans for ensuring our clinical research infrastructure continues to grow and evolve to support the best bench-to-bedside-and-back science for best outcomes. Learn more about Dr. Gerhardt’s vision for…

A Practical Guide to Beginning Clinical Research

You wouldn’t travel to unknown destinations without a map or GPS, so why do clinical research without a plan? Here’s what you need to know to get started. Although the process for clinical research varies from institution to institution, the initial hurdles are often the same. From establishing clear protocols and outlining a detailed timeline to developing a reasonable budget…

Choosing a Continuous Glucose Monitor After TPIAT: When Research Directly Impacts Clinical Practice

Nationwide Children’s study highlights hydroxyurea interference with Dexcom, but not with Libre, and the clinical implications for glycemic management. Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) is the definitive surgical treatment for acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis. Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the very few pediatric medical centers in the nation to offer this complex procedure. By removing the pancreas,…

Clinical Genomics: From Research to Reality

Without genomic sequencing, many genetic diseases would never be diagnosed. Genomic testing — whole exome or whole genome sequencing — is vital to reducing the diagnostic odyssey for children with rare, undiagnosed disease. But is genetic analysis only useful in these cases? Experts across the country have long suggested that genomic testing can be even more useful as a frontline…

Integrating PCOS Research and Clinical Care for Adolescents

Researchers at Nationwide Children’s are participating in building the first-ever national registry of adolescent Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) patient data through a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded research grant. The grant will collect patient data from more than 12 multidisciplinary PCOS clinics, including Nationwide Children’s. PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that can cause irregular menstrual cycles, acne, unwanted hair growth…

Accessing Genomic Data for Research and Clinical Diagnostics – Meeting the Challenge

What good is genomic data if it can’t be shared efficiently? The genesis of DNA sequencing technology in the 1970s was a turning point in science, giving birth to a modern era in biology. Further, with the unfolding of the relationship between nucleic acid order and uniqueness across species, improvement in strategies to sequence this molecule continued at a rigorous…

Featured Researcher: Brian Becknell, MD, PhD

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections in children worldwide, according to the Journal of Pediatric Urology. Did you know that UTIs can be associated with congenital anomalies, which may cause permanent renal scarring in certain children, resulting in long-term medical needs? The Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at Nationwide Children’s Hospital treats and manages numerous…

Featured Researcher: Katherine E Miller, PhD

The battle against pediatric cancer is being waged within research facilities globally. In December 2025, five institutions, including Nationwide Children’s Hospital, were awarded a combined total of $5 million in grants from the Ohio Department of Children and Youth to support various research studies. Katherine (Katie) Miller, PhD, is an associate professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College…

Featured Researcher: Diana Zepeda-Orozco, MD

Diana Zepeda-Orozco, MD, is a principal investigator in the Kidney and Urinary Tract Research Center within the Abigail Wexner Research Institute, an attending physician and the associate division chief of research for the Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Hypertension, and an associate professor of pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dr. Zepeda-Orozco is a physician-scientist who thrives…

Defining Urinary Tract Infection: Why Standardization Matters for Research and Care

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide, affecting an estimated 150 million people annually and costing more than $5 billion in the United States alone. However, despite their prevalence, there is still no universally accepted definition of what constitutes a UTI. This lack of clarity complicates both research and clinical care. In a recent…

Advancing Pediatric Behavioral Health: Care, Research and Prevention

Meet David Axelson, MD, Chief of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Dr. Axelson and his team have achieved amazing things in the last decade, from more than doubling the volume of patients served to establishing a new research institute for mental and behavioral health, and they’re not slowing down. Read more By the Book: Guiding Teens Through Inpatient Psychiatric Stays Inpatient…

Assessing the Clinical Utility of a Fetal Echocardiogram When a Sibling Has Congenital Heart Disease

A fetal echocardiogram when a sibling has congenital heart disease may not be clinically necessary if the fetus has a normal second-trimester level II ultrasound. A retrospective study led by Kacy Taylor, MSAH, RDCS, FASE, concluded that critical congenital heart disease (CHD) was not missed when a level two ultrasound (LII-US) was normal in a fetus when a sibling had…

Beyond the Bedside: Nurses Conducting Research to Transform Pediatric Outcomes

Nurses are vital to clinical research – supporting and conducting it. At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, nurse scientists are dedicated to advancing prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pediatric health conditions. Nurses at Nationwide Children’s Hospital have long been recognized for their compassionate care and clinical expertise. These high-performing clinicians consistently collaborate with other teams to ensure the best care for every…

Featured Researcher: Laura Chavez, PhD, MPH

Improving access to health care for all, regardless of age, race, gender and socioeconomic background, is essential for numerous health and economic reasons — especially for children. It’s vital to understand and prevent health disparities from impacting children to ensure the best outcomes for physical and mental health into adulthood. Laura Chavez, PhD, MPH, is a behavioral health scientist, a…

Studying the Clinical Progression of Congenital Hypopituitarism

New research reveals the clinical progression and evolution of pituitary hormone deficiencies in the first 3 years of life. In a recent retrospective study published in Clinical Endocrinology, Jennifer M. Ladd, MD, MSc, pediatric physician in the Division of Endocrinology and associate program director of the Endocrinology Fellowship Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and colleagues provide new insights into the…

Hip Ultrasound Has Clinical Utility in Detecting Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip Among Preterm Infants

A positive first hip ultrasound (HUS) is highly predictive of having developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) among preterm infants, according to results of a study published in the American Journal of Perinatology. “In term babies, more is known about the accuracy of ultrasounds for congenital or developmental hip dysplasia. But in preterm babies, there are very little data,” says…

Featured Researcher: Mykyta Artomov, PhD

Bioinformatics combines the natural sciences and information technology. This rapidly developing field has become an essential piece of genomic medicine, which is currently experiencing unprecedented scientific progress in understanding inherited susceptibilities for many diseases – identification of disease risk genes, pathways and affected cell types. Mykyta Artomov, PhD, is a principal investigator in the Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for…

Forging the Future of Sarcoma Care and Research

Precision Medicine for Children With Sarcoma At age 7, Will was diagnosed with an osteosarcoma after breaking his leg while visiting his grandmother in Pennsylvania. Scans of the injury revealed that Will’s broken leg was likely caused by a tumor. Hundreds of miles from home and overwhelmed by their son’s crushing cancer diagnosis, Will’s parents were delivered another devastating blow…

Featured Researcher – Ryan Roberts, MD, PhD

Ryan D. Roberts, MD, PhD, is a physician in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and a principal investigator for the Center for Childhood Cancer at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. He is a member of the Translational Therapeutics research program at The James Comprehensive Cancer Center at The Ohio State University…

Featured Researcher – Mattina Davenport, PhD

What happens when a passion for law and social advocacy intersects with science and mentorship? The result is a remarkable research scientist driven to improve pediatric health equity and access, eager to lead the next generation of scientists. Meet Mattina A. Davenport, PhD. She’s a principal investigator in the Center for Child Health Equity and Outcomes Research at the Abigail…

Featured Researcher – Nizar Y. Saad, PhD

Not all genetic diseases are inherited; however, they are all the result of DNA mutations or flaws. Genetic research and gene therapy are integral in finding cures or helpful treatments for diseases such as muscular dystrophy. At the Abigail Wexner Research Institute (AWRI) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, research scientists are engaged in precedent-setting transitional gene therapy for the betterment of…

Single Ventricle, Many Research Angles

An overview of the people and projects behind one of the world’s most robust single-ventricle heart disease research hubs. In the field of single-ventricle heart disease (SVHD), there are more questions than answers. What causes the heart to form with only one ventricle? At what point in fetal development might we intervene to improve its development or function? Which children…

Featured Researcher – Julie Leonard, MD, MPH

As a long-time pediatric trauma clinician-scientist, Julie Leonard, MD, MPH, board-certified emergency medicine specialist and principal investigator in the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, has contributed to numerous veins of research in her field. The recent publication of a set of clinical prediction criteria for cervical spine injury represents the culmination of more than two…

Pivotal New Research Fuels Possibilities for Aggressive Pediatric Brain Cancer

A new umbrella trial of molecularly driven therapies for high-grade gliomas (HGG) and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) aims to improve quality of live and extend survival rates for these aggressive tumors. The diagnosis of high-grade glioma (HGG), a type of aggressive, malignant brain tumor, in pediatric patients is particularly heartbreaking. HGGs are one of the leading causes of cancer-related…

Featured Researcher – Eric Sribnick

When children experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as well as significant injuries elsewhere in the body—such as a liver or spleen laceration or a broken bone—they face a substantially increased risk of subsequent infection. Research suggests this may stem from a sort of shock to the immune system leading to immunoparalysis, which leaves children vulnerable to infections that can…

Improving Pediatric Clinical Trials by Incorporating Parent Input

A Parent Council in an ongoing pediatric stroke rehabilitation trial provides important insights into how parent involvement can inform and enrich the research process. While the need for diverse and inclusive clinical trial populations has been acknowledged for the last few decades, the value of input into trial design from the patient (and in pediatrics, the parent) community has only…

Establishing Meaningful Clinical Outcome Measures for Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Cystic Fibrosis

Understanding the minimal clinically important differences of PROMs is crucial in interpreting results in clinical trials. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are a set of standardized questions that directly assess the patient’s perspective of their symptoms and quality of life to better understand their experience with a disease or treatment. PROMs support patient-centered care and are increasingly being used in interventional…

Childhood-Onset Rumination Syndrome: Insights from 15 Years of Research

Education is needed to improve diagnostic timelines and treatment outcomes for pediatric patients. Childhood-onset rumination syndrome presents significant diagnostic challenges, even for gastroenterologists. Physicians often misdiagnose the symptoms as gastroesophageal reflux disease. Initial treatments frequently fail, leading to delays in accurate diagnosis. Patients can experience symptoms for 2 to 3 years before receiving an accurate diagnosis. “Rumination syndrome typically follows…

The Current and Future State of Scoliosis Care and Research

In the United States alone, scoliosis affects an estimated 7 million people – just under twice the population of Los Angeles – according to the Scoliosis Research Society. Each year, an estimated 30,000 children begin wearing braces for treatment. Over time, the treatments available for different types of scoliosis have continued to advance, in large part due to the research…

Subclinical Herpes Simplex Virus in Neonates: What to Do?

Neonates can test positive for HSV without having visible lesions or other classic symptoms, leaving clinical uncertainty regarding appropriate antiviral treatment and testing protocols. Researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital have shared data on a sample of 17 neonates who tested positive for herpes simplex virus (HSV) at mucosal sites, without any mucosal lesions, positive blood or spinal fluid tests, or…

Researchers Identify Potential Prenatal Biomarkers of Congenital Heart Diseases

In a research letter published in Circulation Research, researchers at Nationwide Children’s describe a potential biomarker that would identify the presence of SVHD in a fetus based on a maternal blood test. Single ventricle heart diseases (SVHDs), the most severe type of congenital heart disease require immediate treatment after birth. A growing number of fetal therapies make the benefits of…

Nationwide Children’s Researchers Awarded Funding to Carry Out Groundbreaking Research on Single Ventricle Heart Disease

The American Heart Association (AHA) and Additional Ventures have announced funding for five teams of scientists for research on single ventricle heart disease. Four researchers from Nationwide Children’s Hospital were included in the grant awards, building off their ongoing work in regenerative medicine and cardiovascular research. These Collaborative Sciences Awards bring together researchers from various organizations across the nation to…

Uncovering Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Pediatric Sleep Research

In a recent study published in the Journal of Biomedical Informatics, Mattina Davenport, PhD, principal investigator in the Center for Child Health Equity and Outcomes Research at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, explores the impact of biases in clinical documentation on pediatric sleep research. The Motivation Behind the Study Pediatric sleep disorders affect children across all…

Featured Researcher – Christopher Bartlett, PhD

Throughout Dr. Bartlett’s career, he has dedicated his time to the development of innovative statistical methods to enhance our understanding of childhood development, from pre-term birth to young adulthood. Specializing in the design and application of data analytic paradigms, his work significantly contributes to elucidating the complex interplay between environmental factors and childhood intrinsic characteristics. His lab uses a blend…

Featured Researcher: Henry Xiang, MD, MPH, PhD, MBA

Dr. Henry Xiang is the founding Director of the Center for Pediatric Trauma Research of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. He is also a tenured full professor at the Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dr. Xiang directs the Pilot Translational and Clinical Studies Program at the NIH-funded Ohio State University Center for Clinical and Translational…

Clinical Differences in Early-Onset and Adolescent-Onset Rumination Syndrome

Study suggests rumination syndrome in young children is less severe initially and improves over time. Early-onset rumination syndrome is clinically distinct from adolescent-onset rumination syndrome, according to a new report out of Nationwide Children’s Hospital. In this largest study of pediatric patients with rumination syndrome to date, researchers found differences in sex distribution, co-occurring conditions and severity of initial…

Featured Researcher – Jamie Jackson, PhD

Jamie Jackson, PhD, is a principal investigator in the Center for Biobehavioral Health in the Abigail Wexner Medical Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, an assistant professor of Pediatrics and Psychology in the College of Medicine and Department of Psychology at The Ohio State University, and a licensed clinical health psychologist. Dr. Jackson attended graduate school in clinical health psychology…

Nationwide Children’s Research Benefits Kids Everywhere

Pediatric research benefits children everywhere. Through the stories below, discover more about the breadth and depth of research at Nationwide Children’s that is improving child health. Changing Feeding Outcomes Through Crib-Side Research “We have developed personalized approaches that allow for precision diagnosis and guided therapies that favor better nutrition, better oral skills, better airway protection skills, and better GI development…

Improving Medication Adherence and Clinical Outcomes After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

A clinical trial is evaluating the acceptability and efficacy of a mobile app in improving medication adherence, symptoms and clinical outcomes in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell patients. A research team led by Micah Skeens, PhD, APRN, FAAN, principal investigator in the Center for Biobehavioral Health at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute, assistant professor of pediatrics in The Ohio State University…

New Frontiers for Data Science in Pediatric Research

From discovery science to population health, researchers generate masses of data that hold immense potential to transform pediatric research, diagnostics, treatments and even guide disease prevention strategies. To make sense of this data deluge, we’ve been harnessing the power of cloud computing and cutting-edge data science techniques, such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and big data analytics. And…

Featured Researcher – Rajan Thakkar, MD

Rajan K. Thakkar, MD, FACS, is a pediatric surgeon, the Trauma Medical Director, and the co-Director of the Burn Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. He is an associate professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and is a principal investigator at the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences Research at the Abigail Wexner Research…

Featured Researcher – Elaine Mardis, PhD

Elaine Mardis, PhD is co-Executive Director of the Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine (IGM) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and holds the Rasmussen Nationwide Foundation Endowed Chair in Genomic Medicine. She is also a Professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dr. Mardis is an internationally recognized expert in cancer genomics and immunogenomics, with…

Clinical Trial Shows Promising Results for AAV Gene Therapy for LGMD 2E/R4

Recently published in Nature Medicine, interim results from a Phase 1/2 trial offer promising results. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) 2E/R4 is a rare, progressive neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in the β-sarcoglycan (SGCB) gene. These mutations lead to SGCB protein deficiency, ultimately resulting in muscle loss. Progressive, debilitating weakness and wasting begin in the muscles around the hips and…

Featured Researcher – Rolf Stottmann, PhD

Rolf Stottmann, PhD, is a principal investigator in the Institute for Genomic Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and professor at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. He joined Nationwide Children’s in 2021. Dr. Stottmann has an unwavering interest in the genetics of structural birth defects. He is especially focused on structural brain malformations and disrupted craniofacial skeletal development. His…

Featured Researcher – Amrik Khalsa, MD

Amrik Khalsa, MD, is a physician and principal investigator in the Center for Child Health Equity and Outcomes Research (CCHEOR) in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute (AWRI) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. He is dual medically trained and board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and has research expertise in observational research design, community-engaged research, and intergenerational obesity prevention. His research…

Tissue Engineered Trachea: State of the Research

The promise of tissue-engineered trachea grafts is moving closer to the clinic, as recent preclinical studies have shown successful implantation and neovascularization. Breathing is an essential biological function that provides our bodies with the oxygen necessary for survival. However, most of us rarely think about the biological structures that make it possible. The trachea, commonly called the windpipe, is an…

Exploring the Clinical Journey of Children With Primary Hyperoxaluria

Children with primary hyperoxaluria, a rare genetic disease, navigate a complicated clinical journey that includes a heavy reliance on health care services and usage of multidisciplinary care. Primary hyperoxaluria (PH) is a rare disease caused by genetic mutations of enzymes that regulate hepatic glyoxylate metabolism, leading to oxalate overproduction. The excess oxalate is excreted by the kidneys, eventually damaging the…

Featured Researcher — Nilsa Ramirez, MD

Nilsa Del Carmen Ramirez Milan, MD, director of the Biopathology Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, leads the biorepository team that receives about 1,000 new specimens each day. These must be processed and stored properly—together with the rest of the biobank’s > 6 million specimens. Then there is the outflow of samples provided for clinical analysis or research efforts, which involves…

Featured Researcher — Katherine Bline, MD

Katherine Bline, MD, is a critical care medicine physician and principal investigator in the Center for Vaccines and Immunity at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Experience caring for some of the hospital’s sickest children in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and mentors who pushed her to understand phenomena she observed clinically have helped Dr. Bline find a rewarding career that balances…

Featured Researcher — Jeff Bridge, PhD

Jeff Bridge, PhD, director of the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, has been actively working to prevent suicide among at-risk youth since he was 19. Although he started as a volunteer, his career in suicide prevention and research has progressed considerably during his 36 years in the field. Dr.…