The Jack and Lucy Clark Department of Pediatrics enjoys a long and distinguished tradition of excellence in clinical, translational, and basic research. Our department is well funded, both federally and non-federally, and our research aims to better understand, treat, and prevent childhood diseases.

Backed by robust resources and support teams, our labs are full of innovation and discovery, where multi-disciplinary investigators focus on breaking new ground and translating key findings into new therapies to combat childhood diseases and disorders.

The Jack and Lucy Clark Department of Pediatrics is dedicated to advancing a wide array of research topics that span from molecular genetics to environmental exposures, reflecting the Department's commitment to addressing complex pediatric health issues.

Our research includes exploring the molecular genetics of congenital heart disease and childhood brain cancer, the molecular physiology of ion transport in developing kidneys, and the genetic and genomic factors of asthma and allergic diseases. We investigate immune-pathogenic mechanisms in food allergies and asthma, chromatin regulation during gene transcription, and molecular bases of congenital disorders of glycosylation.

Our studies also focus on early life predictors of developmental diseases, the impact of traumatic stress on adherence to medical regimens, and the persistence of HPV and its risk factors among adolescents. Additionally, we delve into the genetics and immune responses affecting clinical outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease, and we assess biomarkers in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. We develop interventions for teenagers at risk of type 2 diabetes and improve communication strategies between families and providers of critically ill neonates.

Our research extends to the neuroendocrine regulation of energy balance and cognitive functions, considering genetic, environmental, and behavioral determinants of metabolic health in both the general population and in individuals with rare genetic disorders linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Lastly, we study how environmental exposures such as stress, nutrition, and environmental toxicants during critical developmental periods can influence the risk of childhood asthma. Through this diverse research agenda, we aim to foster significant advancements in pediatric health care and disease prevention.