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Christopher Abraham, MD, Email
Institution: Saint Louis University (SLU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research interests are two-fold:
1. To develop and validate a predictive oropharyngeal temporal tumor response model to radiotherapy using CT, FDG-PET, MR and on-board CBCT imaging. Under the guidance of the predictive model, it is our aim to develop treatment plan re-optimization parameters that will ultimately help make adaptive radiotherapy more clinically feasible.
2. To create and evaluate a more efficient and accurate method for segmentation and segmentation review using oblique image planes. Using a library of benchmark anatomic structures, we aim to determine of the minimum number and optimal orientation of oblique planes for contouring structures. We will also develop contouring software that allows users to align imaging planes to anatomical landmarks, segment, and review the resulting 3-dimensional mesh on high-resolution CT datasets.
Yousef Abu-Amer, PhD, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our research interests are focused on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying inflammatory osteolysis. Human diseases such as erosive arthritis and aseptic loosening of orthopedic implants are complicated with inflammatory responses owing to infiltration of host defense cells including macrophages and osteoclasts culminating with elevated osteolysis. Thus, remedies to combat deterioration of bone directly should target the cells solely responsible for osteolysis, i.e. osteoclasts. We have several translational projects with immediate relevance to human osteolytic diseases. Specifically, we are investigating 1) mechanisms of particle induction of osteoclasts and osteolysis in response to orthopedic particles normally used in implants. 2) Molecular regulation of bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis, and 3) molecular regulation of inflammatory osteoclastogenesis. We have determined that NF-kB and MAP kinases are the primary mechanisms underlying these inflammatory osteolytic diseases. Further, we have identified precise elements in the NF-kB pathway capable of regulating these osteolytic pathway and hold promise for therapeutic intervention.
H. Douglas Adams, PhD, Assistant Professor of Community Health, Email
Institution: Saint Louis University (SLU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Organizational analysis, policy analysis, program evaluation, and implementation of evidence based public health interventions
Rebecca Aft, MD, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Moelcularly characterizing dissemianted tumor cells which are intermediaries in the metastatic cascade
Sun Young Ahn, BS, MD, MS, Instructor, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research focuses on defining the role of CASK, which encodes a calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase, in kidney development. CASK binds to nephrin and has been localized to the kidney tubules and glomeruli. It also appears to interact with DLG1, or discs large homolog 1, a PDZ scaffolding protein that mediates normal development and function of the ureter. Ureteric smooth muscle cells are misaligned in DLG1 knockout mice, resulting in impaired urinary flow and hydronephrosis, a common urologic condition that can be found in children.
Jenifer E. Allsworth, PhD, Assistant Professor, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Allsworth joined the faculty at Washington University in 2006 and is an epidemiologist in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is a reproductive and social epidemiologist with specific expertise in the impact of social factors on reproductive health. Dr. Allsworth has been an investigator on multiple longitudinal large-scale population based epidemiologic studies in women’s health, including the Study of Women’s Health across the Nation (SWAN), a multi-ethnic, longitudinal study of women’s health during the menopausal transition, and Project PROTECT, an intervention study to improve dual method contraceptive use. Her research interests include: the role of the interaction between race/ethnicity and inflammation in the onset and consequences of bacterial vaginosis; the association between social factors and obstetric and gynecologic outcomes, such as preterm birth; the impact of stress on reproductive aging (timing of menarche and menopause); and the impact of financial barriers on the use and continuation of contraception.
C.Robert Almli, BA, MS, PhD, Occupational Therapy, Neuroscience, Neurology, Psychology, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research with infants and young children has primarily two focuses: one on normal, healthy human brain and behavioral development of sensory and motor systems, cognition and language, and hemispheric lateralization using brain imaging methodologies (e.g., anatomical and functional magnetic resonance imaging) and neural-psychological testing batteries (e.g., normed, standardized and experimental behavioral assessments), and a second on the effects of perinatal brain injury and abnormality on brain and behavioral development and the establishment of neural and behavioral protective strategies and agents.
Ping An, AuD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My primary research focus is in cochlear implant optimization and verification testing for both adults and children.
Beau M. Ances, BA, MD, MSC, PhD, Assistant Professor, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Current projects in the laboratory include the development of methods for acquisition, processing and analysis of images from multiple modalities with applications towards a greater understanding of disease states including HIV, Alzheimer’s disease, and aging.
Carolyn J. Anderson, BS, PhD, Professor of Radiology, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our research is in the area of pre-clinical PET/CT imaging of cancer and cancer metastasis. We have designed PET imaging agents that are radiolabeled integrin targeting ligands to image increased numbers of osteoclasts in mouse models of bone metastasis. We hope to translate these studies into the clinic for the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment in patients with multiple myeloma.
Usha P. Andley, BS, MS, PhD, Professor, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Crystallin function in vision
Gerald Andriole, MD, Professor and Chief of Urologic Sirgery, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Prostate Cancer prevention, screening and prevention and BPH treatment
Jeffrey M. Arbeit, BS, MD, Professor of Surgery, Urology, and Cell Biology, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Regulatory transcriptional and translational networks of multistage carcinogenesis and angiogenesis.
Ana Maria Arbelaez, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My area of research interest is Diabetes and in particular the role of cerebral mechanisms involved in the patophysiology of Hypoglycemia associated Autonomic Failure in Diabetes.

Another area of interest of my lab has been the study of Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes and its impact on clinical outcomes.
Lauren Arnold, BA, MPH, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am an epidemiologist trained in survey research, with a focus on women's health. Currently, I work in cancer prevention and control, and my research touches on health disparities, public health genetics, biomarkers, and knowledge/perception of disease risk. Included among the conditions I study are pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, HPV and related cancers, and multiple myeloma. I also work in the area of community knowledge and perceptions about genetic risk, as well as attitudes towards participation in genetic research.
Rita E. Arras, BS, MS, PhD, Email, Website
Institution: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Men's health and promotion, public health nursing and promotion, sexually transmitted infection prevention, and community organizing.
Jeffrey J. Atkinson, BS, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My lab researches the role of proteases in the development of lung diseases. We are involved in both basic science and clinical translational research in obstructive lung diseases with a special interest in COPD, cystic fibrosis, ciliary dyskinesia and idiopathic bronchiectasis. We utilize mouse models including smoke exposure of gene targeted mice to better understand human disease. In addition we are involved in translational research into monocyte/alveolar macrophage function in smokers with and without emphysema and genetic polymorphisms that correlate with these functional alterations. Our lab also is involved in therapeutic (Phase I-III) trials in bronchiectatic lung disease with a predominant interest in pharmaceutical treatments for chronic Pseudomonal infection in cystic fibrosis.
John P. Atkinson, BA, MD, PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: John Atkinson received his B.A. and M.D. degrees from the University of Kansas. His training in internal medicine was at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the National Institutes of Health. His postdoctoral research training was at the National Institutes of Health and at Washington University. At Washington University since 1976, he directed the Division of Rheumatology from 1976 to 1992 and was an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute from 1976 to 1992. He was Physician-in-Chief at Barnes Hospital and Adolphus Busch Professor and Head of John Milliken Department of Medicine from 1992 to 1997. Dr. Atkinson is currently Samuel B. Grant Professor of Medicine and holds a joint Professorship in Molecular Microbiology. The goal of his research effort is to increase our understanding of the origins of autoimmunity. His clinical activities center on the care of patients with complement deficiencies and immune mediated inflammatory disorders, especially SLE and vasculitic syndromes. He particularly enjoys teaching medicine, immunology, and rheumatology to medical and graduate students, house staff, and rheumatology fellows.
Paul F. Austin, MD, Director of Pediatric Urology Research, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research interests are: 1) Obstructive Uropathy: Our research is focused on both upper and lower urinary tract obstruction. We are investigating the TGF-ß and BMP-7 signaling pathways in the kidney during ureteral obstruction in a murine model and how these pathways are involved in renal repair during the reversal of ureteral obstruction. Additionally, our lab is investigating the cell-cycle regulation of tension-mediated bladder smooth muscle cell hyperplasia for bladder outlet obstruction using in vitro and in vivo models. 2) Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT): We have established a collaborative multidisciplinary research structure for analysis of genitourinary anomalies seen within the Divisions of Pediatric Urology and Pediatric Nephrology at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The focus of the Children’s Urology/Nephrology Center for Congenital Diseases of the Urinary Tract is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying congenital anomalies of the urinary tract and improving their diagnosis and treatment.
Tricia M. Austin, PT, PhD, PT, ATC, Email
Institution: Saint Louis University (SLU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The long-term goal of this research is to establish and enact interprofessional interventions to improve the bone health of adolescents and young adults ultimately assisting with improving their future bone health and reducing the devastating physical and financial consequences associated with poor bone health. This long-term goal has three components including 1) educating adolescents and young adults on bone health and assessing the education interventions impact on bone health knowledge and behaviors, 2) identifying and understanding risk factors contributing to poor bone health and using this information to screen adolescents and young adults at risk for poor bone health, and 3) providing and assessing interprofessional interventions to improve adolescent and young adult bone health.
Michael S. Avidan, MD, Division Chief, Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology and CTICU, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am involved in perioperative outcomes research, including areas such as cognitive decline, awareness during surgery, perioperative bleeding and obstructive sleep apnea.
Hilary M. Babcock, MD, MPH, Instructor of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Division, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am interested in healthcare epidemiology and occupational health of healthcare workers. I am also interested in optimizing osteomyelitis treatment, particularly in diabetic foot infections.
Richard G. Bach, BS, MD, MS, Associate Professor of Medicine, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My current research focuses on examining the phenotypic (anatomic, physiologic, and clinical) heterogeneity among patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and their family members, including genotype-phenotype relationships that may account for this heterogeneity, novel diagnostic methods to diagnose at risk individuals before clinically manifest disease, and on the effect of therapeutic interventions on coronary and myocardial physiology in patients with severe obstructive HCM. Research is also directed at management and outcomes of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute coronary syndromes.
Maria Q. Baggstrom, BA, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My primary research interest is to develop and conduct phase I and II clinical trials with novel agents for patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed lung cancer. I am also interested in looking at novel radiographic methods to help tailor therapy.
Karen A. Bahowk, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Physical therapy, metabolism, diabetes, exercise interventions
Thomas C. Bailey, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Bailey's primary research focus is in the application of information technology to improve healthcare quality, with emphases in optimizing pharmacotherapy, medication safety, and infection control. Current work involves an epidemiologic approach to solving clinical problems, using data that is electronically captured, stored, and analyzed. Insights gained from these analyses are then used to develop, test, and implement expert systems to enhance healthcare quality, using BJC facilities as the laboratory to evaluate these approaches. Event detection, rule-based expert systems, and notification technologies are all aspects of this work. Examples of current expert systems include DoseChecker, PharmADE, DoseRanger, Automated Guideline Monitor, EventDetector, and GermWatcher. All of these systems reduce complex data to clinically useful information for those who are best positioned to use it for the purpose of improving patient care.
Karen A. Balakas, PhD, RN, CNE, Email
Institution: Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Clinical research with infants and children focusing on interventions that can be applied by the front line staff in providing nursing care. General areas of interest include safety, skin care, pain control, and parental coping.
Robert Baloh, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies (also known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease). These diseases are characterized by progressive weakness and numbness usually starting in the feet, due to degeneration of the sensory and motor axons of the peripheral nervous system. These axons degenerate either secondary to a genetic defect in the Schwann cell (the supporting cells which myelinate peripheral axons) or from defects in the axons themselves. A better understanding of the mechanisms of these rare neurodegenerative diseases will hopefully lead to treatments for both these and other more common diseases, such as diabetic neuropathy.
A second major focus of our research is developing improved diagnostic strategies for making exact genetic diagnoses in patients with neuromuscular diseases, particularly hereditary neuropathies and muscular dystrophies. This allows for improved patient care, a better understanding of genotype-phenotype correlation, and the identification of novel mutations/disease genes that will further advance our insight into neuromuscular disease pathogenesis and eventually lead to new treatment methodologies.
Jianxin Bao, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: As is evident in our current studies, stem cells may be the last resource to replace hair cells or neurons lost during aging. We are developing approaches to convert embryonic and adult-omental stem cells into hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons. Previous work has shown that Mammalian Atonal Homolog 1 (Math1), a transcription factor, is not only necessary for early development of hair cells, but also sufficient to convert adult non-sensory cells in the cochlea into hair cells. However, we found that adult adipose stem cells failed to respond to sound stimulation after Math1 over-expression, which suggests that the ability of Math1 to make hair cells depends on cell contexts. Since we have recently reported that Math1 over-expression in the otic epithelial cell line VOT-E36 makes them function like hair cells, we modified the cell context of adult adipose stem cells with total protein transfer from VOT-E36 cells before Math1 over-expression. These modified cells can sense sound simulation and transmit this mechanical information to spiral ganglion neurons. We are currently testing whether we can use a similar approach to convert embryonic and adult stem cells into spiral ganglion neurons. The ultimate goal is to develop stem cell therapies for hearing loss.
Thomas Baranski, MD, PhD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our laboratory studies signal transduction by G protein-coupled receptors, a superfamily of heptahelical transmembrane proteins. The receptors act as elegantly engineered switches, receiving signals involved in many physiologic processes - blood pressure regulation, glucose homeostasis, sight and smell - to turn on specific signaling cascades within cells. We use engineered yeast to apply the power of genetics to the study of signaling by human G protein-coupled receptors. Insights into how ligands activate receptors will aid in drug design and greatly impact medicine; more than half of currently prescribed pharmaceuticals target G protein-coupled receptors. A new project in the lab involves a model system of glucose toxicity in the simple model organism Drosophila melanogaster. We have performed screens in flies to identify genes that contribute to the effects of a high glucose diet on developing larvae.
Deanna M. Barch, PhD, Professor, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience
Edward M. Barnett, MD, PhD, Director of Clinical Services, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Current clinical research projects are focused on assessing risk of developing glaucoma in patients with elevated intraocular pressure (Site PI for Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study), evaluation of new surgical techniques in glaucoma, and the use of MRI to evaluate optic neuropathy in glaucoma. Basic science/translational projects: 1) in vivo imaging of retinal ganglion cell apoptosis using activatable peptide probe in animal models of glaucoma. 2) characterization of spontaneous mouse model of glaucoma
Margaret Barton-Burke, PhD, Mary Ann Lee Endowed Professor in Oncology Nursing, Email, Website
Institution: University Of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research focuses on health needs of survivors of breast cancer. My research, funded by Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, is entitled, Long Term Quality of Life in Black Women Breast Cancer Survivors. It is Phase II of a larger research project titled the Black Women Breast Cancer Survivor Project. This study looks at standardized health-related quality of life (HRQoL) research instruments to determine their sensitivity and cultural appropriateness, the socio-demographic and clinical effect modifiers of HRQoL instruments, the nature and significance of the relationships between non-medical life stressors and HRQoL instruments in cultural/ethnic subgroups of long-term Black women breast cancer survivors.
Adil Bashir, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The focus of my research is to develop Carbon-13 and Phosphorous-31 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) methods to quantify myocardial metabolism in isolated heart preparations and in vivo in animals and humans. I use Phosphorous-31 MRS to quantify high energy phosphate (phosphocreatine (PCr), adenosine triphosphate (ATP)) concentrations and Magnetization Transfer MRS to quantify the its flux through the Creatine Kinase (CK) system. In addition, I am also developing Carbon-13 MRS tools and models to understand intermediary metabolism in the heart. Combined Phosphorous-31 and Carbon-13 MRS studies in heart will help us understand the complete metabolic pathways from substrate delivery to the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, the TCA cycle kinetics, and the oxidative phosphorylation. These techniques will help us study the metabolic disorders in the heart and to evaluate novel therapies.
Elizabeth R. Bassett, MD, Email
Institution: Saint Louis University (SLU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My training goals are to understand protocol development for clinical research, from the first inception of an idea through grant application and IRB approval. I hope to gain insight into practical aspects of research, such as budget and time concerns, as well as ethical concerns when working with patient subjects. I hope to gain technical expertise in the field of data analysis so that I might make sense of my own data as well as the work of my colleagues.
Andrea C. Basso, PharmD, Email
Institution: St. Louis College of Pharmacy (STCOP)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I hope to continue to gain knowledge about research and the path towards becoming a clinical researcher.
Randall Bateman, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our laboratory's focus is on the causes, diagnosis and future treatments of Alzheimer disease. We directly measure the pathophysiology of Alzheimer disease in humans using multiple techniques and also perform in vitro cell culture experiments.
Our group uses a wide variety of assays and techniques from the most basic applications, such as quantitative measurement of stable-isotope labeled peptides to clinical translational studies in diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. We have several ongoing studies including:
1) In Vivo metabolism of Aß in Alzheimer's Disease: We have pioneered a new technique to measure amyloid-beta metabolism in humans. Ongoing studies in Alzheimer's disease and controls will address the hypothesis that there is a change in amyloid-beta metabolism in people who develop Alzheimer's disease compared to people who do not.

2) Familial Adult Children Study: We are investigating the changes that occur in autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease; including structural changes by MRI, pathological changes by PET-PIB, functional changes by Clinical Dementia Rating and neuropsychometric testing, and pathophysiological changes in CSF biomarkers and CNS protein production and clearance rates.

3) Pharmacodynamic response of proposed disease modifying therapies for Alzheimer disease are tested by directly measuring the production, clearance and steady-state levels of the targeted proteins, including amyloid-beta. These studies quantitate targeted activity of therapeutics and provide evidence that these compounds are effective in humans.

4) CNS derived proteomics and measurements: We are currently investigating multiple other CNS derived proteins and are developing methods to measure hundreds of protein metabolism profiles in humans using highly sensitive nano-flow mass spectrometry and in vivo labeling techniques. Advanced bio-informatics, cutting edge mass spectrometry, and in vivo and in vitro labeling experiments are used for highly quantitative analysis of proteins.
John T. Battaile, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research focuses on understanding the role of the immune response, especially Interleukin-13 production, in the development of chronic airway inflammation in COPD and asthma.
Jacquelyn L. Baudhuin, AuD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My primary research focus is in cochlear implant optimization and verification testing for both adults and children.
Carolyn Baum, BS, PhD, Elias Michael Director Program in Occupational Therapy, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr Baum’s research focuses on enabling older adults to live independently. Rather than focus on people’s deficits, she seeks to understand what a person with chronic disease or disability can do. She and her colleagues have built a measurement model that demonstrates the capacity of a person to engage in activities, tasks, and roles. By understanding the capacities of the person, it is possible to minimize unnecessary disability. Understanding capacities also helps both the person and the family acquire skills to maximize the person’s performance, while minimizing stress on the family that has chosen to care for their loved one.
Avraham Beigelman, BA, MD, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My area of research interest is food allergy, especially in improving its diagnosis methods. Another area of my interest is establishing innovative anti-inflammatory treatments for allergic inflammation.
Robert B. Belshe, MD, Email, Website
Institution: Saint Louis University (SLU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Belshe directs the NIH funded Saint Louis University Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit (VTEU). His clinical and laboratory research interests include development of live attenuated respiratory virus vaccines such as RSV, parainfluenza and influenza. Recent clinical projects include evaluation of novel vaccines for influenza, including the live attenuated influenza vaccine available for children and adults age 2-49. Ongoing projects include clinical studies with avian influenza vaccine, the Herpevac Trial for Women; Dr. Belshe is coordinating 50 other academic centers to evaluate a subunit vaccine for HSV2 in women age 18-30. More than 8,300 women are participating in the trial. Past successes include evaluating haemophilus conjugate vaccines in infants, pneumococcal vaccines in infants and adults, demonstrating that smallpox vaccine dilutions could extend the national vaccine reserve by tenfold, evaluation of efficacy of acellular pertussis vaccines in college students, and development of live attenuated vaccine as an improved vaccine for influenza. Collaborations between the Vaccine Center and the Saint Louis University Liver Center led to the first in human studies of a prophylactic vaccine for hepatitis C. The Division of Infectious Diseases and VTEU have significant collaborations beyond the University, including the Midwest Research Center for Excellence for Biodefense Studies. Dr. Sharon Frey has chaired several key studies of new second and third generation smallpox vaccines for the NIH, and she has become nationally known in this area.
George R. Benzinger, MD, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am interested in studying short- and long-term changes to cognitive ability and to the central nervous system following different types of surgery and anesthesia.
Tammie L. Benzinger, BA, MD, PhD, Director, Neuromagnetic Resonance Imaging; Physician Director for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, CCIR, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Benzinger's research focuses on translating advanced neuromagnetic resonance imaging techniques from small animal research in the department of radiology, to translational research in the Center for Clinical Imaging Research (CCIR), and into clinical practice. In particular, her current research focuses on using directional diffusivity measurements derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to measure axonal and myelin damage in pediatric and adult demyelination, dysmyelinating diseases, and as a function of aging. In addition, Dr. Benzinger combines advanced neuromagnetic resonance techniques, such as DTI and spectrosopy, and positron emission tomogrophy (PET) to study interactions between normal aging, Alzheimer's disease, depression and delerium in older adults.
Mikhail Berezin, PhD, Instructor in radiology, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My interest lies in synthesis and spectroscopy of optically active compounds, such as organic and inorganic fluorescent molecules and fluorescent nanoparticles. Specifically interested in excited state reactions and their applications in imaging, diagnostics and treatment.
Laura W. Bernaix, BS, MSN, PhD, Email, Website
Institution: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Breastfeeding, Nursing, Childbearing research
Carlos Bernal-Mizrachi , MD, assistant Proffessor of Medicine, Cell Biology and Physiology, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The goal of my laboratory is to pursue a series of studies focused mainly on two mechanisms that we believe are critical to the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease in patients with Type 2 DM and prediabetes: Vitamin D deficiency and tissue glucocorticoid excess.

Patients with prediabetes and Type 2 DM have a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and hypertension compared to the general population. Animal and human studies have shown that vitamin D improves peripheral insulin action, suppresses the renin-angiotensin system and decreases vascular inflammatory factors; mechanisms responsible for increased blood pressure (BP). However, there is lack of evidence as to whether the increased prevalence of hypertension and atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes is truly influenced by vitamin D deficiency. Our laboratory is using multiple animal models, novel molecular biology techniques and clinical trails to assess whether alterations in the expression of genes related to vitamin D metabolism are responsible for the development of these diseases.

Adipose and hepatic glucocorticoid excess in mice resembles metabolic syndrome, a poorly understood condition characterized by insulin resistance, chronic inflammation and cardiovascular disease. We are interested to find the mechanisms by which glucocorticoids induce hypertension and atherosclerosis. In the past, we have demonstrated that a nuclear transcription factor PPAR a (important for lipid metabolism), and hepatic afferent vagal nerve activation are required for glucocorticoid-induced hypertension and diabetes in mice. Now, we are using genetically engineered mice and classical physiology to characterize the interaction between lipid metabolism and glucocorticoid signaling in critical tissues responsible for the development of atherosclerosis.

Identifying these mechanisms may lead to the development of novel therapies for the treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Mary Bertrand, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Anti-epileptic medication trials
Monica Bessler, MD, PhD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The long-term goal of our research is to delineate the molecular events leading to bone marrow failure (BMF) and to identify new targets for a more accurate diagnosis and more specific treatment. BMF is the diminished function of the bone marrow leading to inadequate blood cell production. BMF is heterogeneous in its pathogenesis. Currently we are studying three BMF syndromes: Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH), Dyskeratosis Congenita (DC), and Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA).

PNH is due to the expansion of a hematopoietic progenitor cell that has acquired a mutation in the PIGA gene essential for the biosynthesis of glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor molecules. We investigate the consequences on hematopoiesis, leukemogenesis, and immune response.

DC is inherited. DC patients have in addition to BMF abnormalities of the skin, nails, and buccal mucosa as well a predisposition to develop cancer. DC patients have excessively short telomeres, which are the ends of chromosomes. The genes when mutated are responsible for the disease have are involved in telomere maintenance. Our studies are to characterize the pathway of telomere maintenance and to identify the mechanisms that lead to BMF and cancer.

The most recent project in our laboratory is to study role of ribosomal biogenesis in the pathogenesis of red cell aplasia in patients with DBA. DBA is an inherited BMF syndrome, characterized by anemia, absence of red cell precursors, growth retardation and other congenital anomalies. Mutations in various ribosomal proteins are found in about 60-70% of patients, suggesting that ribosomal biogenesis is altered in DBA. Our studies are to characterize the defect(s) in ribosome biogenesis and to identify the pathways leading to red cell aplasia.
Stephen M. Beverley, PhD, Marvin A. Brennecke Professor & Head of Molecular Microbiology, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our laboratory is interested in tropical infectious diseases, focusing on the protozoan parasite Leishmania which afflicts more than 10 million people world wide. It is a common opportunistic AIDS disease around the Mediterranean and several thousand cases are emerging in US soldiers returning from the Mideast. We have developed a wide array of molecular genetic, genomic, cell biological and biochemical tools of the genome, and are applying these towards dissecting how the parasites carry out their infectious cycle in both mammals and the sand fly vector which transmits them. We are interested in parasite molecules which play key roles in antigenic variation, macrophage survival, and disease progression, many of which constitute the surface glycocalyx. As our work is carried directly in a serious pathogen, it is perhaps unsurprising that many findings have potential clinical applications. Several of the ‘virulence’ pathways above as well as other metabolic pathways show great promise for development of selective chemotherapies. Our ability to modify the parasite genome easily permits us to generate attenuated candidate vaccine lines. One early line lacking the key metabolic enzyme dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHFR-TS) is slated to be tested shortly in one of the first such tests with Leishmania in humans in the Mideast. Recent studies yielded a remarkable parasite (lpg2-) able to indefinitely ‘persist without pathology’, while simultaneously showing great promise for long term and effective immunization in mouse models. Now we are studying how they accomplish this feat mechanistically, and how to extend these results to human vaccines.
Deepta Bhattacharya, BS, PhD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My laboratory employs immunological, cell biological, and functional genomics approaches to gain insight into the diverse mechanisms by which fate decisions are made within the hematopoietic system. We are particularly interested in three aspects of hematopoietic and immunological development: 1) the control of quiescence vs. proliferation in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs); 2) the transcriptional pathways that direct the common lymphoid progenitor (CLP) to differentiate into the B cell and dendritic cell lineages; 3) the intrinsic signals that allow for the formation and self-renewal of memory B cells.
Anjali M. Bhorade, MD, assistant professor, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Bhorade's research interests involve assessing visual function and quality of life in older patients with glaucoma. She is currently collaborating with the Program in Occupational Therapy in a study involving the assessment of self-reported questionnaires, performance-based and clinical measures of visual function tested in the clinic and homes of older patients with glaucoma. Dr. Bhorade is also interested in assessing the impact of various aspects of vision on driving performance. Dr. Bhorade is currently taking classes towards a masters degree in Clinical Investigation at Washington University School of Medicine.
Kristin P. Bibee, MD, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Completion of a PhD in Molecular Cell Biology with a focus on translational research in cancer and novel cancer therapy.
Laura J. Bierut, BS, MD, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Laura Jean Bierut, M.D., is a Professor of Psychiatry in the Psychiatry Department at Washington University School of Medicine. The primary focus of her research is the investigation of the genetic studies of psychiatric illnesses and nicotine and substance dependence, specifically the interplay between nicotine, alcohol, cocaine and other substance dependence, and psychiatric disorders. A recent project is a collaborative multisite study to perform a genome wide association of nicotine dependence using SNPs. This project is being performed in collaboration with Perlegen Sciences, Inc. and will examine 2.2 million SNPs in pooled cases and controls and follow up the most significant 40,000 SNPs with individual genotyping. In addition, 4,000 SNPs in candidate genes will be genotyped.
Ellen F. Binder, BA, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Research interests include exercise and hormonal interventions in older adults; physical frailty and sarcopenia in the elderly; interventions to improve outcomes after hip fracture; and rehabilitation outcomes.
Monica E. Bishop, BA, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Interested in eating disorders research, including anorexia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Focusing on prevention, treatment, and diagnosis. Also interested in neuroimaging techniques that may help elucidate the underlying neuropathology.
Kevin J. Black, BS, MD, Assoc. Prof. of psychiatry, neurology, radiology and neurobiology, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My clinical interests focus on the interface between psychiatry and movement disorders. Areas of interest include traditionally psychiatric movement disorders (including Huntington's disease, Tourette Syndrome, tardive dyskinesia, catatonia, and so-called psychogenic movement disorders) as well as psychological symptoms in traditionally neurologic movement disorders. Clinically I am especially interested in treatment and nosology.
My imaging research is influenced by these clinical interests and is primarily focused on functional imaging of the dopaminergic system. In many diseases there is evidence for a functional abnormality of dopamine-influenced basal ganglia circuits, yet studies of receptors or other specific elements of these pathways have been equivocal or negative. By giving a dopamine agonist, we stimulate these systems and measure the response using PET and functional MRI methods, somewhat analogous to clinical challenge tests. My current research involves Tourette syndrome, methods development with pharmacological fMRI, and Parkinson disease.
See also my online CV at www.purl.org/net/kbmd/.
Robert H. Blaine, MA, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Health disparities; community-based participatory research; diversity.
Melvin Blanchard, BS, MD, Chief, Division of Medical Education and Director of the Internal Medicine Residency TrainingProgram, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Blanchard’s research interest is in improving the quality and efficiency of patient care in the hospital and outpatient settings through modification of physician practice with practice-based data, education and improving support systems in the care delivery environment. He is particularly interested in management of chronic disease among undeserved populations. Dr. Blanchard also has an interest in how psychological stress affects physical health and has published in this area.
Gordon R. Bloomberg, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: We are studying the antecedents of asthma in children. We are following a birth cohort of children whose families live in central urban areas and who have at least one parent with asthma or allergic disease. We are studying the effect of environmental influences, immunological development, and allergic manifestations of the development of asthma at 3 and 6 years of age.
Kathy E. Borcherding, PhD, RN, Email, Website
Institution: University Of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My primary research interest is correlations between psychosocial factors and pregnancy health. Specific projects in progress include maternal prenatal stress and depression in low-risk pregnancy and depression screening and treatment before and during pregnancy. In future studies I want to explore the correlations between nutrition and other weight-related factors and depression in pregnancy.
Gregory H. Borschel, MD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Clinical Interests:
Treatment of brachial plexus injuries in children
Treatment of facial paralysis in children
Cleft lip and palate surgery
Pediatric plastic surgery
Vascular anomalies
Pediatric hand surgery

Research Interests:
Peripheral nerve tissue engineering, including use of growth factors and cells to augment peripheral nerve regeneration in conduits.
Alteration of the biology of neonatal peripheral nerve regeneration.
Anne M. Bowcock, PhD, Professor of Genetics, Pediatrics and Medicine, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I research the genetic basis of human disease, focusing on both simple Mendelian disorders and complex traits. I also perform functional and genomics-based studies to understand the molecular consequences of genetic alterations.
Martin I. Boyer, MD, MS, FRCS(C), Associate professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chief of Hand and Wrist Service, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Boyer’s research focuses on microvascular transplantation of epiphyseal plate allografts. The techniques currently employed in the treatment of children who have sustained damage to an epiphyseal plate involve autogenous vascularized transplants or non-vascularized bone grafts. He is currently investigating the viability of proximal tibial epiphyseal plates of rabbits that have been harvested and stored in cold transplant solution. He is interested in investigating the viability and growth of these epiphyseal plates after transplantation and short-term immunosuppresion.

Dr. Boyer is also involved in a clinical study that is examining the post-operative outcome of patients with cubital tunnel syndrome who have undergone in-situ decompression or anterior transposition.
Walter A. Boyle, MD, Director of the Critical Care Unit, BJH, Professor of Anesthesiology and Surgery, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The laboratory has two main interests. The first concerns mechanisms of vascular failure in septic shock. Ongoing studies, utilizing isolated micro-vessels and intact animal models, are directed at the identification and use of specific inhibitors for the phosphatase which degrades phosphorylated myosin as a potential therapeutic strategy to reverse the excessive vasodilation and catecholamine resistance that occur in this condition. The second focus is identification of novel biomarkers of organ injury in the urine proteome. Ongoing studies utilizing immunoassay and mass spectrometric techniques, being conducted in critically ill patients with myocardial injury and patients undergoing a timed myocardial infarction (percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy), are directed at the discovery of urinary biomarkers that can be used to identify and follow acute cardiac injury non-invasively.
Rose Bradley, Audiology, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am interested in music perception and enjoyment of cochlear implant users.
Milam A. Brantley, MD, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible severe vision loss in the geriatric population, with a complex etiology involving genetic and environmental factors. Recently, multiple distinct genetic susceptibility loci for AMD have been identified, including variants in the complement factor H gene (CFH), the LOC387715/HTRA1 locus, and the complement C3 gene. We have recently discovered novel associations between the CFH variant (CFH-Y402H) and patients’ response to treatment for exudative macular degeneration, both with photodynamic therapy (PDT) and with intravitreal administration of the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) antibody bevacizumab (Avastin).
We are currently investigating the association between AMD-associated genotypes and response to treatment with ranibizumab (Lucentis), an anti-VEGF antibody specifically designed for intraocular use. We also wish to determine if AMD-associated variants are linked to distinct clinical and visual phenotypes by evaluating and comparing patients with nonexudative AMD to patients with newly-diagnosed exudative AMD
Richard D. Brasington, MD, Director of Clinical Rheumatology, Fellowship Program Director, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Investigational treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, psoriatic arthritis, and osteoarthritis
Alan C. Braverman, MD, Professor of Medicine, Director, Marfan Syndrome Clinic, Director, Inpatient Cardiology Firm, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Braverman is interested in genetically triggered thoracic aortic diseases and is Director of the Marfan Syndrome Clinic. His clinical research interests include Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz aneurysm syndrome, Bicuspid aortic valve aortopathy, familial thoracic aortic aneurysm/dissection syndromes and vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. Dr. Braverman is an investigator involved in the International Registry of Aortic Dissection (IRAD) and participates in the NHLBI trial of Atenolol vs. Losartan in Marfan Syndrome.
Daniel C. Brennan, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Renal transplantation at Washington University/Barnes Hospital has enjoyed a marked improvement in results, recently. Our success depends on patient-based research. We are investigating several areas.
Viral infections with cytomegalovirus (CMV) and polyoma (BK) virus remain major causes of morbidity and mortality in renal transplantation. In collaboration with Drs. Greg Storch, Helen Liapis and Mark Schnitzler, we have been investigating the use of prospective monitoring with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyses of several randomized prospective trials of over 700 patents over the last 10 years to monitor CMV and BK and develop treatment and prophylaxis strategies.
We continue to investigate novel immunosuppressive strategies. We pioneered the use of rabbit-antithymocyte globulin (Thymoglobulin) as an induction agent in the US. This agent was associated with a 10 –fold decrease in acute rejection rates at our center.
We perform outcomes and pharmacoeconomic research using local data from our own trials and national data from the USRDS to determine risk factors for viral disease, to assess transplant outcomes, and to design cost-effective treatment and organ allocation algorithms at the local and national levels.
Our program is one of only a few programs performing islet cell transplantation. Patients currently considered for islet cell transplantation have severe hypoglycemic unawareness and no significant other co-morbidities, or, already have received a kidney transplant prior to islet cell transplantation.
David L. Brody, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Research in our laboratory and collaborative group is focused on the development of novel therapeutic and diagnostic strategies for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Our work has focused on the role of the amyloid-beta peptide (Aß) in TBI. Deposition of the Aß peptide, one of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, also occurs in a significant number of young TBI patients. A second major line of research has been in the role of Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) in TBI. The APOE4 allele is the strongest genetic risk factor for both poor outcome after TBI and the development of Alzheimer's disease. An third area of interest is in the use of advanced MRI techniques to characterize traumatic axonal injury. The goals are to increase our understanding of the relationship between axonal injury and cognitive sequelae of TBI, assist with prognosis, and guide stratification of patients for therapeutic trials.
Steven L. Brody, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our research focus is abnormalities of the airway epithelial cell differentiation that characterize lung diseases such as bronchitis, bronchiectasis, respiratory virus and bacterial infection. We are particularly interested in mechanisms of ciliated cell differentiation and cilia biogenesis. These studies are linked to investigation of the genetic basis of lung disease in patient populations with known or suspected defects in cilia, co-called ciliopathies.
Amie D. Brooks, PharmD, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Email
Institution: St. Louis College of Pharmacy (STCOP)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am interested in clinical research related to the impact of clinical pharmacist interventions on patient care outcomes, economic outcomes, or humanistic outcomes. I am especially interested in research focused in the areas of diabetes education, diabetes disease management, diabetes treatment, health literacy, resistant hypertension, and collaborative practice agreements between physicians and pharmacists.
Robert H. Brophy, MD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research interest is the treatment of articular cartilage injuries, specifically the mechanical quality of tissue formed by different surgical treatments. I am interested in studying how different post-operative protocols may alter the mechanical quality of this tissue and investigating the genetic basis for healing after articular cartilage surgery.
Angela L. Brown, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My primary research interest is in the area of hypertension and its relationship to other cardiovascular risk factors and heart function. I am also interested in women's cardiovascular health, particular the effects of lifestyle modifications.
Justin M. Brown, MD, Asst Prof/Neurological Surg; Assoc. Dir. Ctr for Nerve Injury & Paralysis, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: 1.Utilization of a three-dimensional video motion capture system to develop objective methods for evaluating the results of nerve reconstruction operations in order to achieve the greatest function for a particular injury pattern. 2. To identify abnormalities in posture and dynamics which correspond with the development of entrapment neuropathy syndromes and to evaluate the effect of reduction or augmentation of afferent input from the periphery on these postures. 3. To develop peripheral nerve reconstruction methods to add increments of function to those afflicted by upper motor neuron injuries including spinal cord injury and stroke.
Ross C. Brownson, BA, PhD, Professor and Director, Prevention Research Center, Email, Website
Institution: Saint Louis University (SLU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Brownson is involved in numerous community-level studies designed to reduce modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity, obesity, and tobacco use. In particular, he is interested in the impacts of environmental and policy interventions on health behaviors. Dr. Brownson also conducts research on dissemination of evidence-based interventions.
Janice E. Brunstrom-Hernandez, BS, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Cerebral Palsy medication trial.
Elizabeth M. Brunt, MD, Professor of Pathology and Immunology, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My primary interest is liver disease. I am focused on fatty liver disease.
Guojun Bu, PhD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: We are interested in dissecting the pathogenic pathways of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer with focus on lipoprotein metabolism and receptor functions. We are also interested in identifying either protein or pharmacological inhibitors to treat these diseases in animal models with eventual goals to develop human clinical trials.
Brian T. Bucher, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: As a member of the Center for Critical Illness and Health Engineering improves outcomes through innovative biomedical research and hospital process improvement. Current projects include mechanisms related to genetic predisposition to sepsis and the use of stems cells/molecular reprogramming to facilitate organ regeneration/recovery.
Kathleen K. Bucholz, MPH, PhD, Professor, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Etiology and course of substance use disorders (legal and illegal) in youth, adult and elderly populations.
Jacob M. Buchowski, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic and Neurological Surgery, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Buchowski's clinical interests include metatastic spine disease and tumors of the spine; degenerative disorders of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine; spine trauma; and minimally invasive spine surgery. His research interests are closely related to his clinical work and include: clinical outcomes following spinal reconstructive surgery, spine biomechanics, and basic science applications (such as gene therapy) to disorders of the spine.
Carey-Ann Burnham, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am interested in the field of Clinical Microbiology; that is, development and interpretation of diagnostic tests to aid in the diagnosis of infectious disease. My main research interests include: molecular epidemiology, rapidly-growing Mycobacteria, the airway microbiota of Cystic Fibrosis patients, diagnosis of fungal infections, rapid diagnostic assays, multi-drug resistant organisms, epidemiology of influenza, pathogenesis of Streptococcal infections.
Thomas E. Burroughs, PhD, Professor and Executive Director, SLU Center for Outcomes Research, Email
Institution: Saint Louis University (SLU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My current research is examining the epidemiology of type 2 diabetes in children, the development of diabetic complications in adults, the progression of metabolic syndrome and diabetes in elderly African Americans, and the relationship between cardiovascular disease and diabetes. I am also involved in a number of other outcomes research studies and in public policy associated with diabetes.
Harold Burton, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our brain imaging studies examine the effects of sensory deprivation associated with blindness or hearing loss on brain organization and plasticity. Prior research has shown activity in the visual cortex of blind people when they are engaged in language and non-visual sensory tasks. Current studies examine memory usage of visual cortex in blindness. Additional studies in people with unilateral hearing loss indicate increased activity in auditory cortex from hearing through the intact ear. Current research includes longitudinal studies with adults prior to and immediately following unilateral hearing loss in order to follow changes in auditory cortex activation from the intact ear.
Rebecca A. Busch, BA, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I have been working under Dr. Paul Goodfellow to assess the effects of comorbidity and tumor microsatellite instability on disease-specific and overall survival for patients diagnosed with endometrial carcinomas of the endometrioid type. Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy in the US. Although most cases are detected at early stages and the outcome for endometrial cancers is generally very good, more that 7,000 US women die from endometrial cancer each year. Because of the uncertainty as to which patients are at risk for recurrence, many women receive adjuvant therapies (chemo- and/or radiation therapy) that are of uncertain benefit. Better predictors of outcome for this common malignancy are needed.
William T. Cade, BS, MS, PhD, PT, Assistant Professor of Phyiscal Therapy and Internal Medicine, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research is focused on mechanisms and treatments (nutritional/exercise/pharmaceutical) for whole body and myocardial nutrient (i.e. glucose, fatty acid, amino acid) utilization abnormalities in metabolic syndromes such as HIV-related metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, the Metabolic Syndrome, obesity, and adult and pediatric skeletal and cardiomyopathy (e.g. Barth Syndrome). I am also interested in the effect of nutrient metabolism during pregnancy on in utero development and childhood metabolic disease.
Alison G. Cahill, MD, MS, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Perinatal epidemiology and outcomes research; decision and cost-effectiveness analysis; high-risk pregnancies
Nigel J. Cairns, BA, BS, PhD, Research Associate Professor, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The frontal and temporal lobes of the brain degenerate to cause severely debilitating disease in a group of disorders called frontotemporal dementias. These diseases are both clinically and pathologically heterogeneous and although genetic causes have been identified in some rare familial cases, the causes and pathogenesis of these diseases remain largely unknown. Nigel Cairns is interested in clarifying the pathological changes in the brains of these patients who come to autopsy and the mechanisms by which nerve cells die and cause dementia. His multidisciplinary approach uses histological, biochemical, and cell biological experiments to determine the role of candidate pathological proteins in frontotemporal dementias. These experiments will throw new light on the pathogenesis of this enigmatic group of diseases and generate novel avenues for therapeutic intervention.
Ryan Calfee, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Calfee's primary research interests include outcomes following traumatic injuries to the hand and wrist, reconstruction for degenerative conditions, and treatment of nerve compression syndromes.
Wilma J. Calvert, MS, PhD, RN, MPE, Faculty, Email
Institution: University Of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research interest lies in adolescent health compromising and health promotion behaviors. I am particularly interested in adolescents living in homes affected my paternal alcohol use and misuse.
Bernard C. Camins, MD, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Camins' primary research interest is studying the impact antimicrobial management programs on antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in hospitals. He is interested in establishing an electronic surveillance system using the hospital information systems to improve antimicrobial use. He is also interested in finding ways to reduce surgical site infections and hemodialysis bloodstream infections.

Dr. Camins joined the infectious diseases division faculty in 2004. He received his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine in 1997. He continued his medical training at Emory where he was an internal medicine resident and chief medical resident. He recently completed his infectious diseases training at the same institution. His research was primarily focused on healthcare epidemiology.
Meghan C. Campbell, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: In general, my research falls within the category of Cognitive and Clinical Neuropsychology, with an emphasis on the cognitive sequelae associated with aging and neurodegenerative disorders. Using a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates techniques and principles from clinical science, cognitive psychology, and cognitive neuroscience, my research extends beyond the characterization of cognitive impairment in neurodegenerative disease in an effort to elucidate the mechanisms and underlying psychological processes. More specifically, I am interested in developing a better understanding of the attentional and executive functioning deficits associated with movement disorders (e.g., Parkinson disease) and how they relate to the neuropathology, treatment, and comorbid psychiatric disorders. This research has important implications for the understanding and treatment of movement disorders, as well as the more general advancement of knowledge regarding the functions of the basal ganglia and frontal-striatal circuitry.
Scott D. Campbell, BA, MS, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research interests is understanding the dynamic nature of the human BBB using in vitro models.
Charles E. Canter, MD, MS, Professor of Pediatrics, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Pediatric Heart Transplantation

Pediatric Heart Failure Pediatric Cardiomyopathy
Michael Caparon, PhD, Professor of Molecular Microbiology, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The lab is interested in the interaction of pathogenic bacteria with their hosts, with an emphasis on the pathogenesis of infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria. Using Streptococcus pyogenes as a model pathogen, the lab investigates the signal transduction mechanisms used by the bacterium to modulate transcriptome behavior in response to tissue-specific nutrional cues. Also of interest are the pathways for protein secretion that the streptococcus uses to target its various protein toxins to specific host cell compartments during infection.
Robert M. Carney, MS, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: We have found that depression increases the risk for medical morbidity and mortality in patients with coronary heart disease. Our research now focuses on identifying the biological and behavioral pathways that underlie this risk. We also are investigating whether specific treatments for depression can reduce this risk or affect the putative mechanisms.
Christopher R. Carpenter, BS, MD, MS, Assistant Professor Emergency Medicine, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Develop and validate screening and interventional models for the emergency care of geriatric adults including rapid, simple screens for dementia, falls, prognostic decline, and frailty.
David B. Carr, MD, Clinical Director of Geriatrics, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Carr is currently studying medical fitness to drive in older adults and plans to explore the differences between age-related and disease related differences in driving skills.
Beatriz M. Carreno, PhD, Research Assistant Professor in Medicine, Pathology and Immunology, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Human CD8+ T cell responses to self (tumor) antigens. Development of Cellular Therapies for melanoma
Javier A. Carrero, BS, MS, PhD, Research Instructor in Pathology and Immunology, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The project has involved analysis of Islets of Langerhans following different autoimmune insults. Mostly T cell transfer-induced Type I Diabetes.
Kenneth R. Carson, MD, Clinical Instructor, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Health Services Research: Issues of cost, quality, and accessibility of cancer care.
Alex R. Carter, MD, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My interests lie within the area of brain network plasticity as it pertains to neurorehabilitation, particularly in recovery from stroke. I am trying to apply a two-pronged approach to this difficult problem. First I am using the novel technique of resting-state functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI) to evaluate the overall integrity of distributed brain networks in the acute and chronic phases after stroke. With this approach I hope to identify specific patterns of functional connectivity that are useful prognostic indicators and that may give us insight into the mechanisms of endogenous recovery. Second, I plan to investigate whether activity-based therapies or non-invasive brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation can modulate resting state functional connectivity and lead to improved clinical outcomes.
Amanda F. Cashen, BS, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I conduct clinical trials focused on the treatment and prognosis of patients with lymphomas and patients undergoing stem cell transplantation. In addition, my group has established a lymphoma tissue bank for the collection of tumor, blood, bone marrow, and germline tissue from patients with non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma. The specimens in the lymphoma tumor bank will be used for the study of clinical, genetic, and immunologic parameters that have prognostic significance and/or are involved in the initiation and progression of lymphoma.
Bradley Castanho, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Office of Technology Transfer (OTM)
Mario Castro, MD, MPH, Director, Asthma and Airway Translational Research Unit, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My translational research projects are in the area of pathogenesis of asthma and health-care delivery issues in asthma. We have a dedicated unit of translational research faculty, coordinators, scientists, and biostatisticians in our Asthma and Airway Translational Research Unit (AATRU) as part of the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS) at Washington University. In the AATRU, we have a prospective cohort study, called the Respiratory synctial virus (RSV) Bronchiolitis in Early Life (RBEL) study, sponsored by the NIH, which is seeking to understand the genetic, biologic, and immunologic determinants of asthma in infants hospitalized with RSV bronchiolitis. We also have a study on imaging using MDCT chest in Severe Asthma, sponsored by the NIH, which is seeking to understand the basis for airway remodeling in adults with severe asthma and how it can be measured non-invasively using MDCT. We are also studying how sickle cell anemia may be complicated by asthma in a NIH sponsored project called "Asthma and Nocturnal Hypoxemia in Sickle Cell Anemia”. Our laboratory runs the Clinical Core of a NIH sponsored Asthma and Allergic Diseases Cooperative Research Centers (AADCRC) grant on the Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Asthma at Washington University School of Medicine. We also have an American Lung Association Asthma Clinical Research Center (ACRC) and NIH sponsored Asthma Clinical Research Network (ACRN) center which aim to conduct large multicenter studies to develop new approaches to asthma management and treatment. Lastly, we have a grant from the CDC and The St. Louis Asthma Regional Consortium focusing on improving how asthma care is delivered in the primary care setting. Our AATRU has resources for research pulmonary function testing (spirometry, lung volumes, methacholine challenge, exhaled breath condensate, exhaled nitric oxide) and a laboratory specialized in preparing and cataloging research specimens obtained from bronchoscopy.
Patricia Cavazos-Rehg, BA, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Research interests include the reduction of health and mental health disparities among underserved populations and the risk behaviors associated with substance abuse and dependence.
Murali M. Chakinala, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: As director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Center and co-director of the Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia Center, I work heavily with patients that have pulmonary vascular disorders. I am interested in clinical research in pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary arterio-venous malformations. My interests include pharmacotherapy and non-invasive monitoring tools for patients with pulmonary hypertension and imaging of pulmonary arterio-venous malformations.
Jen Jen Chang, MPH, PhD, Assistant Professor, Email, Website
Institution: Saint Louis University (SLU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Chang's research interest is related to obstetrics and adverse birth outcomes. She has investigated the role of race/ethnicity play in recurrent preterm births. She is currently investigating the influence of voluntary partitial sleep deprivation on adverse maternal and birth outcomes.
Li-Wei Chang, BS, MS, DSc, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: With my doctoral training focusing on computational biology and bioinformatics, I am interested in cancer systems biology. My research goal is to understand the molecular underpinnings involved in cancers at a systemic level and using this information to identify novel biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
Bimal P. Chaudhari, MPH, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Acquisition of skills required for the use of population based methods to elucidate genetic contributors to health and disease.
Paul A. Checchia, BA, MD, Chief, Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Service, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My clinical research efforts focus on studies aimed at further understanding the complex pathophysiology of all forms of cardiac disease and related insults in children, with the ultimate goal of developing useful diagnostic tools, protective strategies, and mechanism driven cardiac therapies. I am currently the principal investigator for research on inhaled nitric oxide as an antiinflammatory agent to prevent cardiac injury related to cardiopulmonary bypass and I am also involved in research that includes studies on cardiac biochemistry and pharmacokinetics, respiratory syncytial virus, and treatment of septic shock. Finally, my research focuses on the role of age and development on cardiac injury in an attempt to understand the differences in cardiac injury across the spectrum of age; from the infant to the elderly. Additionally, I am interested in the complex interaction between the pathophysiology and the systems which deliver cardiac care to children.
Delphine L. Chen, BA, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My work is primarily focused on the development of novel PET tracers for imaging cell death pathways and inflammation. Our current projects aim to validate radiolabeled isatin compounds that bind to activated caspase-3, a biomarker for apoptosis. We plan to use these tracers in pre-clinical models of cancer, sepsis, and lung disease to tease out the mechanisms contributing to the progression of these diseases and to evaluate therapies that modulate apoptosis in vivo. The ultimate goal is to apply these tracers clinically to assess the efficacy of apoptosis-targeted therapies in patients.
Jane Chen, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am a clinical electrophysiologist and am interested primarily in cardiac arrhythmias. Specifically, I am interested in mechanisms of ventricular arrhythmias, treatment and prevention of sudden cardiac death with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). I participate in many device-related clinical trials to assess how to better utilize stored data to treat clinical disorders such as atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.
Junjie Chen, ScD, Research Instructor, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My specialties are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nanomedicine. My research interest is to explore biomarkers of retinal vascular and cellular diseases. Using animal models, our data suggested that MRI-detected pathological alterations in the neural retina, such as decreased water mobility after cytotoxic edema, were consistent with that observed in the brain and optic nerve. The future focuses of our group are: 1) to establish MRI biomarker for early diagnosis of retinal cellular and vascular diseases; 2) to assess the therapeutic effect of nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery.
Li-Shiun Chen, MD, MPH, ScD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: 1.Genetic studies of psychiatric disorders and substance dependence. 2.Genetics of cognition, brain structural and functional studies. 3.Psychiatric Epidemiology and longitudinal studies. 4.Classification of psychiatric disorders.
Yixin Chen, PhD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Chen specializes in computational optimization, data mining, and artificial intelligence. He is interested in medical applications of computational methods, including computational genetics, radiation oncology, treatment outcome prediction, and statistical modeling of medical data.
James Cheverud, BA, MS, PhD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: We work on the genetic architecture of complex traits, including obesity, diabetes, skeletal morphology, osteoporosis, and a variety of other phenotypes in the mouse and in non-human primates. We use quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and breeding experiments to highlight the role of genome regions in determining trait variability with an emphasis on gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. We identify the role of genes underlying QTLs in the phenotypes of interest.
Grace Chiang, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: To improve our understanding of asthmatic children with bronchodilator irreversible airflow obstruction.
Michael R. Chicoine, BS, MD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Brain Tumors (Including Meningiomas, Gliomas, Pituitary Tumors, Metastasis), Cerebrovascualr Disease (includiing AVM's, aneurysms, carotid occlusive diseae), Chiari Malformations
Kelly L. Chilson, BS, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My areas of interest involve pediatric congenital cardiac surgery, antifibrinolysis, and bleeding after cardiopulmonary bypass.
Eric T. Choi, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Eric Choi has developed a laboratory devoted to the study of intimal hyperplasia, a leading cause of restenosis and failure following arteriovenous access creation for hemodialysis and angioplasty and stenting for atherosclerosis. Our laboratory has joined with the collaborators from the Dept. of Medicine (Nephrology and Cardiology) and the Dept. of Cell Biology and Physiology to bring a comprehensive, basic science approach to the study of this clinical problem. We have identified several integrins (matrix-binding cell surface molecules) and matrix metalloproteins (MMPs) critically to the development of intimal hyperplasia. We routinely use technologies, such as advance molecular biology (e.g., real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry), cell and explant cultures, and transgenic mice, to achieve our goal of understanding the mechanism of smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration and proliferation after arterial intervention.
Jaebok Choi, PhD, Research Instructor, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Epigenetic Regulation of Graft-versus-Host Disease and Graft-versus-Leukemia using Inhibitors of DNA Methylation, decitabine and azacitidine.
Kyunghee Choi, PhD, Associate Professor, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our research program utilizes an in vitro differentiation model of embryonic stem (ES) cells and early mouse embryos to study the mechanisms by which blood (hematopoietic) and blood vessel (endothelial) cell lineage differentiation are regulated. So far we have shown that hematopoietic and endothelial cells develop from mesoderm via an intermediate progenitor known as the hemangioblast, which expresses Flk-1, a receptor tyrosine kinase, and Scl, a transcription factor. We are currently investigating signals that control the step-wise commitment from mesoderm to Flk-1 expressing mesoderm, from the Flk-1 expressing mesoderm to the hemangioblast, and from the hemangioblast to hematopoietic and endothelial cells. In addition, we are investigating transcriptional regulatory mechanisms involved in hemangioblast specification and differentiation. Our preliminary studies indicate that the hemangioblast gene expression pattern is similar to that of other stem cells, including hematopoietic, neural and embryonic. Our hope is to better understand regulatory mechanisms involved in stem cell renewal and differentiation. Ultimately, we want to apply this knowledge to modulate stem cell function and facilitate isolation of various progenitor/precursor cells for therapeutic purposes. Additionally, as embryonic signaling is often reactivated in disease states, we are currently testing a hypothesis whether signaling involved in embryonic hematopoiesis and vasculogenesis is reactivated in diseases. Such characterization will be critical for understanidng and controlling pathologic conditions, such as inflammation and tumor angiogenesis.
Isabelle Chumfong, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am interested in investigating underlying causes of racial disparities in prevalence and outcomes of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. My current research is to characterize the role of environmental and genetic factors in racial disparities of glycemic control in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
Koong-Nah Chung, BS, PhD, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Protein trafficking.
Theodore J. Cicero, BS, MS, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Theodore J. Cicero serves as a Professor of Neuropharmacology and Neurobiology, and also as Vice Chairman for Research, in the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine. He served as Vice Chancellor for Research at Washington University from 1996 –2006. Dr. Cicero received his Ph.D. in Neuropharmacology from Purdue University in 1969. He has been at Washington University since that time, becoming a tenured professor of Psychiatry and Neurobiology in 1978. In addition to his university positions, Dr. Cicero serves on the Editorial Board of many journals and is an expert advisor to the World Health Organization Substance Abuse Advisory Group. He is also past chairperson of the Food and Drug Administration Drug Abuse Advisory panel (1985 – 1993). Dr. Cicero is a life fellow of the American College of Neuropharmacology and past president (then Chairman) of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence (1984-1985). He has remained active in CPDD for well over 35 years. Dr. Cicero has over 180 publications related to the neurobiological substrates of substance abuse and prescription opioid abuse, and has active grants from the National Institute of Drug Abuse.
Roberto Civitelli, MD, Professor of Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery, Cell Biology & Physiology, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The long-term goal of our research efforts is to understand the cellular and molecular basis of the bone remodeling process, and to devise mechanisms by which this balance can be modified. Our current research is focused on how bone cells function in a social context, via intercellular communication through gap junctions and direct cell-to-cell contact. Using mouse genetics and in vitro approaches, we find that recessive null or dominant negative mutations of some connexin and cadherin genes lead to skeletal developmental abnormalities, reduced bone mass and abnormalities of bone cell differentiation and function. We are using these models to test how interference with cell-cell adhesion and communication modulates bone anabolic responses to bio-pharmacologic and physical/mechanical stimuli. The ultimate goal is to identify potential new targets for maximizing bone mass acquisition and expand therapeutic potentials for demineralizing conditions, such as osteoporosis.
More information on research activity can be found in the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences web site, under Faculty (http://dbbs.wustl.edu/dbbs/website.nsf/).
Richelle S. Clark, BS, MHA, MBA, Email
Institution: St Louis Public Schools
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Public/Community Health
David B. Clifford, MD, Professor of Neurology and Medicine, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am interested in the pathophysiology and treatment of neurologic infectious diseases, with a particular emphasis on HIV/AIDS associated neurologic diseases. At present I am active in clinical trials involving HIV, HIV associated cognitive disorder, HIV associated peripheral neuropathy and pain, HIV-2, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
John C. Clohisy, MD, Co-Chief Adult Reconstructive Surgery; Director Adolescent and Young Adult Hip Service, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Clohisy’s research interests are focused on adult reconstructive surgery outcomes related to hip and knee disorders. He is particularly interested in hip and knee replacement survivorship. Dr. Clohisy’s current major area of focus is the study of prearthritic hip problems. Research in this area includes defining prearthritic hip conditions, developing more effective diagnostic tools and strategies, and developing and evaluating surgical interventions to prevent and delay the progression of hip osteoarthritis.
J Perren Cobb, MD, Director, Center for Critical Illness and Health Engineering, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The Center for Critical Illness and Health Engineering improves outcomes through innovative biomedical research and hospital process improvement. Current projects include the development of an EKG for immunity (the riboleukogram), novel sepsis diagnostics, metagenomics in the critically injured, improving patient safety during sedation, and decreasing device-related infections in the ICU. We also work closely with collaborators in the US Critical Illness and Injury Trial Group.
Rebecca Cohen, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My current research is focused on long-term respiratory outcomes of acute respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis in infancy.
Graham A. Colditz, BS, MD, MPH, PhD, Professor of Surgery and Medicine, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: With more than 20 years experience studying lifestyle in relation to etiology and prevention of chronic disease I now serve as Associate Director for Prevention and Control at Siteman Cancer Center. I lead the Program to Eliminate Cancer Disparities. I have developed a range of web and pencil and paper tools to promote tailored prevention messages and continue to study strategies to promote wellness in communities.
F. Sessions Cole, MD, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Children's Health, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Genetic regulation of neonatal pulmonary surfactant deficiency has been suggested by studies of gender, genetic linkage, recurrent familial cases, targeted gene ablation in murine lineages, and by racial disparity in risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Successful fetal-neonatal pulmonary transition requires production of the pulmonary surfactant, a phospholipid-protein film that lines alveoli and maintains alveolar patency at end expiration. Our goal is to understand the genetic mechanisms that disrupt pulmonary surfactant metabolism and cause neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.
Marco Colonna, MD, Professor, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My laboratory studies the function of natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DC) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC) in innate immune responses.
NK cell, DC and PDC effector functions are regulated by a balance of activating and inhibitory signals transduced by a variety of distinct receptors. Our previous accomplishments in this field include identifying the human killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs). We also discovered the leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptors (LILRs) as well as inhibitory and activating receptors that belong to the TREM family. We are actively pursuing the role of TREM-1 in sepsis and the function of TREM-2 in development of dendritic cells, microglia and osteoclasts.
PDC are bone marrow derived cells that specialize in the secretion of IFN-a and IFN-ß in response to DNA and RNA viruses. Presently, we are assessing the function of PDC during immune responses to infections caused by ssRNA viruses (Influenza) and DNA viruses (HSV-1 and MCMV).
Anne M. Connolly, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am a child neurologist who specializes in care of children with nerve and muscle disorders. I collaborate in trials designed to improve weakness in children with disorders including Duchenne Muscular dystrophy, congenital muscular dystrophy, Limb Girdle muscular dystrophy, Spinal muscular atrophy, myasthenia gravis, myasthenic syndrome, myotonic muscular dystrophy, hereditary ataxia, congenital myopathies, and both hereditary and acquired neuropathies
Lisa T. Connor, PhD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Research in Dr. Connor’s laboratory examines cognitive and neurobiological bases of stroke recovery in people with aphasia. The goal is to understand plasticity of the brain to maximize functional recovery through rehabilitation. People with mild-to-moderate aphasia often have verbal deficits that impede everyday communication and limit participation in activities. Several treatments are available to ameliorate these deficits, but little is known about their neurobiological underpinnings or how improvements made during treatment translate to communication in everyday life.
Mary Ann Cook, BA, BS, PhD, RN, Email
Institution: Saint Louis Regional Health Commission CAB
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Translating research to the community level: Applying evidence-based practices at the level of the lived experience of St. Louis residents.
Amber R. Cooper, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Clinical and translational research in areas including primary ovarian insufficiency, fertility preservation, pediatric and adolescent gynecology, and minimally invasive surgery
Maurizio Corbetta, MD, Norman J.Stupp Professor of Neurology, Professor of Radiology, Anatomy and Neurobiology, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research program focuses on the neural mechanisms of attention, and neurological recovery after stroke or trauma.
Lynn A. Cornelius, MD, Chief, Division of Dermatology, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Lynn Cornelius' laboratory focuses upon signaling pathways important in melanoma tumorigenesis. Recently, our work has centered upon a specific signaling molecule, Rap-1, a member of the Ras superfamily of small GTPases, that functions in the MAPK pathway and integrin regulation. Our laboratory has recently shown that activation of Rap-1 contributes to activation of ERK, melanoma cell migration and integrin activation in melanoma. We are continuing these investigations to elucidate potential mechanisms of Rap-1 regulation.

An additional research focus is in vivo melanoma imaging in collaboration with Dr. LiHong Wang, Department of Biomedical Engineering using novel imaging techniques, including functional photoacoustic microscopy.

Finally, our clinical translational studies in melanoma include the establishment of a melanoma database that includes tissue and DNA from melanoma patients that is banked in Siteman Cancer Center Tissue Procurement Core.

Linda B. Cottler, MPH, PhD, Director, MPE Program; Director of Epidemiology and Prevention Research Group, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Community based HIV prevention, substance abuse research, development of assessments for risk factors and psychiatric disorders, training in the responsible conduct of science, and international prevention research.
Daniel W. Coyne, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research interests are focused on patients on dialysis or with renal insufficiency. I have three full time research coordinators assisting in multiple clinical trials. I participate in numerous pharma-sponsored trials of drugs and devices (phase 1 through 4). I also serve as lead investigator of independent and pharma-funded trials in the areas of anemia, hypertension, lipid disorders, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and vitamin D deficiency. I also strive to provide efficient access to other researchers who wish to perform studies in patients with renal disease. Our group has worked with investigators in multiple specialties to provide access and support for innovative studies in this unique population.
Traves D. Crabtree, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Overall, my area of interest is in improving the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of lung cancer in patients with surgically resectable disease and those with unresectable disease. Currently, my specific interests include improving minimally invasive techniques for both diagnosis and surgical treatment of resectable lung cancer. In addition, I would to characterize the relative efficacy of different treatment options for high risk patients with lung cancer. Clarification of an appropriate treatment algorhythm for high risk thoracic surgical patients in light of the many proprosed treatment options (i.e. surgery, radiofrequency ablation, radiation therapy, etc.) is desperately needed.
Peter A. Crawford, MD, PhD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The mammalian heart must maintain constant and high levels of ATP to perform its mechanical and electrical functions. To do so, the heart is remarkably resilient, able to oxidize a repertoire of metabolic substrates including fatty acids, ketone bodies, and glucose. Our lab uses systems biology approaches, predominantly in mouse models, to study the molecular mechanisms through which the heart adapts to variations in nutrient composition and availability. These molecular, biochemical, cellular, and computational tools are allowing us to identify the biomarkers and develop models for the adaptive, or maladaptive, response of the heart to states like the metabolic syndrome and diabetes. These metabolic states are highly associated with adverse cardiovascular events, and conversely, adverse cardiovascular events are poorly tolerated among individuals with these conditions. Therefore, eliciting the biomarker signatures and molecular mechanisms that underlie the nutritional basis for the manner in which the heart responds to these metabolic states potentially opens avenues for therapeutic personalized nutrition and medical regimens.
Sharon Cresci, MD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My laboratory is engaged in translational research focused on investigating genetic and pharmacogenetic associations with cardiovascular disease, with a particular interest in diabetic cardiovascular disease. Ongoing projects in my laboratory include 1) comprehensively investigating the genetic and pharmacogenetic associations of PPAR-pathway variants, using a custom PPAR-pathway targeted-genotyping 3K array, in a population with type 2 DM and coronary artery disease that has been extensively phenotyped (BARI 2D cohort); 2) assessing the predictive impact of genetic variants in the context of modern post-ACS therapy in a cohort of 4,500 patients with acute myocardial infarction (TRIUMPH cohort).
Jeffrey S. Crippin, BS, MD, Medical Director, Liver Transplantation, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My clinical research interests center around diseases leading to liver transplantation and their recurrence in the transplanted liver. Thus, I am involved in clinical trials of antiviral agents used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Interferon alfa and its long-acting pegylated form, in combination with ribavirin, now allow us to cure patients of a disease that is currently the leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States. Unfortunately, many patients progress to end-stage liver disease and its complications. Furthermore, infection of the transplanted liver is nearly universal, though antiviral agents are poorly tolerated and less efficacious in the transplant population. I am working, along with investigators at other centers, on studies to minimize the amount of post-transplant liver injury secondary to the hepatitis C virus. I am also studying a small group of our patients with liver allograft dysfunction following treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. My other area of interest is the function of the cirrhotic liver, previously something that has been difficult to quantify. I am studying the clearance of indocyanine green as a measure of hepatocellular function in patients following placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.
Susan R. Criswell, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Occupational and environmental risk factors for the development of Parkinson disease.
Anne H. Cross, BA, MD, Professor of Neurology, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Cross' main interest involves lymphocyte migration to the central nervous system (CNS) and cell-mediated factors underlying demyelination and axon injury, including cytokines, chemokines and free radicals. Dr. Cross employs a mouse model of relapsing/remitting inflammatory CNS demyelination (experimental allergic encephalomyelitis) in these studies. Using information gained through all of these studies, our goal is to modulate the pathogenic lymphocytes in the mouse model, and eventually in humans with MS, to prevent CNS injury. The Cross laboratory is also interested in the role of B lymphocytes in MS, and is near completion of a clinical trial using B cell depletion in MS patients who have not responded optimally to standard therapies alone.
Philip E. Cryer, BA, MD, Karl Professor of Endocrinology & Metabolism in Medicine at Washington Univ. in St. Louis, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My patient-oriented/translational research focuses on the physiology of glucose counterregulation – the mechanisms that normally prevent or rapidly correct hypoglycemia – and its pathophysiology, and the relationship of the latter to clinical hypoglycemia, in people with diabetes.
Brian P. Cupps, BS, MS, PhD, Research Assistant Professor of Surgery, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our research is focused on the study of cardiac function utilizing data collected from tagged cardiac MR images.
John A. Curci, BA, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our laboratory is focused on (1) understanding the changes in vascular smooth muscle cells which accompany the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms, (2) investigating the mechanisms of tobacco smoke on vascular diseases including abdominal aortic aneurysms and (3) developing trials for novel therapeutic interventions for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm disease.
Laura J. Czarniak, AuD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am currently investigating cortical auditory evoked potentials in cochlear implant users using speech stimuli.
Gina M. D'Angelo, BS, MSC, PhD, Assistant Professor, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. D’Angelo’s research interests include missing and censored data methodology with a focus on semiparametric efficient methods, likelihood-based methods, logistic regression, survival analysis, genomics, and statistical methodology for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), imaging studies, biomarkers, sepsis, and oncology. A goal of her research is the application and development of prediction models with a focus on dimension reduction techniques, variable selection methods, and missing data methods. She is a member of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) Biostatistics Core and the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS) Research Design and Biostatistics Group (RDBG).
Nirvikar Dahiya, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Ultrasound evaluation of tendinopathy in rotator cuffs; musculoskeletal ultrasound
Ann Marie Dale, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am interested in the prevention and management of work-related disorders particularly of the musculoskeletal system. My primary focus is on the role work-related physical exposures plays in the development of work-related disorders. I am also interested in studying the contribution of general health behaviors such as smoking and physical activity on the development of these disorders.
Michael W. Daly, PharmD, Email
Institution: St. Louis College of Pharmacy (STCOP)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My general area of interest is in practice-based research. Some of the more specific areas I am interested in include the use of pharmacy-alert systems to impact patient care, optimization of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters to improve patient outcomes related to antibiotic dosing, and identification of risk factors for multi-drug resistant organisms.
Themistocles Dassopoulos, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Co-Director of Inflammatory Bolwel Diseases, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: 1) Intestinal mucosal healing has emerged as an important endpoint in therapeutic trials in Crohn’s disease. Capsule endoscopy (CE) allows the non-invasive assessment of small bowel mucosa. Manual analysis of CE images is lengthy and subject to intra- and inter-rater variability. Working with imaging scientists, we are developing methods for the automated detection and severity classification of lesions. In preliminary work, automated analysis assigned similar severity ranking scores to similar lesions, suggesting the feasibility of automated detection and characterization. Future work will include development and validation of a composite rank of mucosal activity of small bowel Crohn’s disease.
2) Colon cancer is a dreaded complication of colitis. We are using novel endoscopic techniques (chromoendoscopy and narrow band imaging) to detect early neoplasia in these patients, and are investigating a promising biomarker for neoplasia.
Lisa S. Davidson, BS, MS, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My overall research goals are to specify how perceptual and cognitive abilities interact to determine relative benefits of sensory devices for children with moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss. We are testing a proposed model of language acquisition that is based on the idea that receptive vocabulary in hearing-impaired children requires the efficient operation and integration of sensory, perceptual, and cognitive abilities. Children with cochlear implants or digital hearing aids are tested on measures of speech perception, ease of listening, working memory, novel word learning, verbal learning and vocabulary size. We will also examine how sensory device use, speech perception skill, memory, and learning over time affect the gap in language skill between normal hearing and hearing-impaired children. An essential component of our research is developing testing and fitting protocols that assure that children with cochlear implants and hearing aids have devices that are optimized for audibility.
Victor G. Davila-Roman, BS, MD, Professor of Medicine, Anesthesiology and Radiology, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Research interests include the study of hypertension (HTN), a disease that affects over 65 million Americans and one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. Hypertensive heart disease (HHD)-endophenotypes, including left ventricular hypertrophy, LV diastolic dysfunction, LV systolic dysfunction, and vascular hypertrophy are common and inter-related. Furthermore, HHD-endophenotypes are worsened by co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and dyslipidemia, thus suggesting that common underlying pathologic processes control/modulate these phenotypes through gene-gene and/or gene-environment interactions. Genes involved in myocardial metabolism and inflammation have been postulated as modulators of these highly complex endophenotypes. Through our large cardiovascular disease phenotype-genotype repository, we are conducting a genome-wide association study where important genes will be associated with quantitative HHD-endophenotypes.
E. Warwick Daw, PhD, Research Associate Professor, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My current research focuses on the development and application of mathematical and statistical methods that help to illuminate the genetic mechanisms of complex human traits. I am particularly interested in oligogenic models, where the effects of multiple genes on a disease are estimated simultaneously along with other factors. He has applied such methods in the search for "modifier genes" and recently identified four loci that modify the expression of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. The computational complexity of models that can incorporate genetic data from large families and information about environmental factors led to his interest in Monte Carlo Markov chain (MCMC) methods and Bayesian scoring techniques. He views the application of these methods both as grounds to confirm that they work and a source of inspiration for the development for new methods. Consequently, he is interested in a variety of traits and has worked on cardiovascular diseases, various cancers, Alzheimer's disease, retinitis pigmentosa, alcoholism, and pharmacogenetic traits.
Gabriel A. de Erausquin, MD, MSC, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am interested in the neurobiology and cellular mechanisms underlying genetic susceptibility to parkinsonism in schizophrenia. We are studying mechanisms of susceptibility to neuronal death during development and the relationship between susceptibility genes in clinical populations and neuronal death mechanisms.
Lisa de las Fuentes, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. de las Fuentes’ ongoing clinical and translational research projects investigate the role played by common genetic variants in myocardial metabolism genes in modulating the hypertensive cardiovascular disease phenotype in humans. Of particular interest are the genetic, metabolic, and environmental predictors of left ventricular hypertrophy, left ventricular dysfunction, and vascular hypertrophy.
Michael R. DeBaun, MD, MPH, Professor of Pediatrics, Biostatistics and Neurology, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Michael R. DeBaun, MD is Professor of Pediatrics, Biostatistics and Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He received a MD and Masters in Health Service Research from Stanford University and a MPH in epidemiology from The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health as part of his fellowship in Epidemiology at the National Cancer Institute. He is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatric hematology/oncology. Dr. DeBaun directs the Sickle Cell Medical Treatment and Education Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Dr. DeBaun’s efforts regarding hematology have focused on understanding the etiology, pathogenesis and management of cerebrovascular injury in children with sickle cell disease. He was among the first clinical investigators to document carefully the epidemiology, cognitive and clinical significance of silent cerebral infarcts in children with sickle cell anemia and to demonstrate that both size and location of cerebral infarcts result in specific cognitive loss in children. With his leadership, these studies subsequently led to the basis of the first international clinical trial in sickle cell disease, Silent Cerebral Infarct Multi-Center Trial. The overall goal of the trial is to determine whether blood transfusion therapy will decrease further neurological morbidity in children with silent cerebral infarcts, and if so, the magnitude of this benefit.
In oncology, Dr. DeBaun has focused on understanding the epidemiology, optimal management and molecular basis for overgrowth syndromes associated with cancer in children, specifically Beckwith Wiedemann Syndrome (BWS). Dr. DeBaun established an international BWS registry. His work has elucidated the epidemiology of cancer risk and has provided the first evidence based guidelines for cancer screening in this population. The clinical work has been coupled with careful molecular genetic analysis documenting phenotype and epigenotype correlations, including cancer. Dr. DeBaun and his colleagues were the first to describe the association between in vitro fertilization (IVF), congenital malformation syndromes and epigenotype mutations in children born after IVF.
Corey R. Deeken, BS, PhD, Instructor of Surgery, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: 1)Characterization of synthetic and biologic tissue-based scaffold materials, particularly those used for hernia repair


2)
Evaluation of the integration and remodeling of biologic tissue-based scaffold materials
3)
Effects of processing conditions (decellularization, crosslinking, sterilization) on the properties of biologic tissue-based scaffold materials
4)
Methods for fixation of hernia repair materials (sutures, tacks, glues, etc.)
5)
Mechanical testing of pristine or explanted scaffolds (uniaxial tensile testing, T-Peel testing, ball-burst compression testing)
6)
Development of novel scaffold materials
Farrokh Dehdashti, MD, professor of radiology, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research interest is in the application of positron emission tomography (PET) in the field of oncology. PET images reflect biochemical processes of normal and abnormal tissues and is complementary to anatomic imaging modalities such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The ability of PET to quantify fundamental processes, such as oxygen metabolism, glucose metabolism, and receptor density, makes this technique very desirable to both investigators and clinicians. Now it is possible to co-register PET and CT images using PET/CT scanners. PET/CT has been shown to improve the accuracy of image interpretation. My current research projects include the conventional PET radiopharmaceutical, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), as well as a variety of unique PET radiopharmaceuticals such as 16?[18F]-fluoro-17?-estradiol (FES), an estrogen receptor based imaging tracer, (Cu)-diacetyl-bis[N4-methylthiosemicarbazone (CuATSM), a hypoxic imaging tracer, 18F-labeled 3'-deoxy-3'fluorothymidine (FLT) in rectal cancer, and 11C-acetate in prostate cancer.
James A. Delmez, BA, MD, Professor of Medicine, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Clinical research involving human subjects with chronic kidney disease. Areas of study include renal osteodystropy, mineral metabolism, vascular disease, adequacy of dialysis, and vascular access for hemodialysis.
Colin P. Derdeyn, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The focus of my research is human cerebrovascular disease, and in particular cerebral hemodynamics. We use Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance (MR) to measure brain blood flow and oxygen metabolism in a range of diseases and disorders that affect the brain and its vasculature. Current funded studies include a project aimed at validating MR measurements of cerebral blood flow. Another is investigating the role of hemodynamic factors and the risk of stroke in patients with Moyamoya disease. Many of these studies involve the PET scanner in the Neurology Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit. This unique facility allows the measurement of brain physiology in critically ill subjects with neurological disease.
Colin P. Derdeyn, MD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The focus of my research is on cerebrovascular pathophysiology in general (diseases and disorders of the brain related to the blood vessels), and specifically, on cerebral hemodynamics and stroke. Severe hemodynamic impairment (reduced blood flow) may lead to stroke. This research primarily involves the use of a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner. PET uniquely allows the non-invasive measurement of cerebral blood flow and oxygen use (metabolism) in the brain. I am particularly interested in the responses of the brain blood vessels and the brain itself to reduced pressure in the arteries. Current NIH-funded projects include a study of the role of cerebral hemodynamics on the risk of stroke in patients with Moyamoya disease, an unusual cause of arterial narrowing or blockage. We have recently started a NIH-funded trial of surgical bypass for completely occluded carotid arteries, using PET to determine whether patients are suitable candidates. In addition to th PET research, other areas of inquiry include th development of MR techniques to provide similar no invasive physiologic measurements as PET. This includes measurements of cerebral blood flow an blood volume, as well as a method to measure relative oxygen us i atients with cerebrovascular disease.

Th ultimate ai o l hese efforts is to develop better therapies to reduce th risk of stroke in patients with cerebrovascular disease.
Sanyukta M. Desai, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research focuses on side effects, satisfaction and removal rates associated with the use of long acting reversible methods of contraception. We are analyzing survey responses provided by participants of the Contraceptive CHOICE project who are using the levonorgestrel intrauterine device, copper intrauterine device or etonogestrel subdermal implant. Through this project we hope to get information on the potential for long term and widespread use of one or more of these highly effective methods of contraception in the United States.
Teresa L. Deshields, BA, BS, MS, PhD, Email
Institution: BJC HealthCare (BJH)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Teresa Deshields, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist, the manager of Psycho-Oncology Services for the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, and Clinical Assistant Professor in Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine. She has worked at the Siteman Cancer Center since February, 1999. Her clinical practice is devoted to treating cancer patients and survivors and their family members, throughout the cancer continuum – diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, end of life, and grief. Her research is focused on issues related to psychological adjustment and quality of life in cancer patients and survivors.
Anjali D. Deshpande, MPH, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Deshpande’s research focuses on the influence of social and environmental determinants on preventive health behaviors such as physical activity and cancer screening. She has also studied racial disparities in breast and colorectal cancer survival. Dr. Deshpande is particularly interested in the role of comorbid illness on preventive health behaviors, how this may contribute to racial disparities in health, and in using multi-level methods to understand the role of social determinants of health on health behaviors.
Amy Determann, MS, RN, ScD, Email
Institution: BJC HealthCare (BJH)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research area of interest includes gathering prospective data on the risks, complications, and outcomes for the oncology patients who are seen in the 24/7 Cancer Care Clinic. Correlations between referral patterns, clinical problems, treatments, follow-ups, discharge managements, and patient outcomes will be analyzed. The findings of my research can contribute to evidence-based guidelines for cancer care.
Robert H. Deusinger, BS, MS, PhD, DPT, Director, Human Biomechanics Laboratory, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Computer modeled in vivo knee joint surface and body segment kinematics and kinetics during functional activities related to underlying causes of musculoskeletal impairments and functional limitations associated with knee conditions of ACL deficiency, ACL reconstructive surgery, and osteoarthritis secondary to ACL injury, meniscus injury, and patellar pain. Outcomes of this research have potential innovative applications that can lead to 1) development and/or enhanced non-surgical rehabilitative interventions and preventive strategies; 2) computer simulation methods for assessing functional effects of ACL surgical and non-surgical interventions; 3) development of biomechanical markers that can enable identification of early onset osteoarthritis, a capability not now possible; and 4) design and development of functional knee orthotics and/or braces that instantaneously accommodate to change in dynamic states of movement.
Susan S. Deusinger, PhD, PT, Director, Program in Physical Therapy, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The dual epidemics of obesity and physical inactivity have influenced the health and functional independence of many adults and children. My work targets the description of fitness and functional deficits, the discovery of activity interventions that would reduce pain and enhance function, and the understanding of social-psychological or environmental barriers that compromise health behavior change. The role of physical therapists in the management of obesity and its physical implications is just emerging. The focus of physical therapy as a professional discipline rests in the science of movement and the application of that science to locomotion and other functional requirements of daily life. Inclusion of physical therapy into interdisciplinary teams that address the etiology and treatment of obesity is essential.
Rajat Dhar, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Physiologic effects of blood transfusion on cerebral oxidative metabolism and cerebral ischemia
Enrico Di Cera, MD, Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics - Professor of Medicine, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: We are interested in the structure and function of serine proteases, especially in the molecular determinants of substrate specificity and allosteric regulation by monovalent cations. Our main focus is on thrombin, the key enzyme of blood coagulation and the prototypic allosteric protease. Current work in the lab is aimed at unraveling the molecular determinants of thrombin allostery and the properties of the E*, E and E:Na+ forms. Emphasis is on X-ray structural studies of these forms in complex with relevant physiological substrates. We continue our systematic mutagenesis approach to validate recently identified pathways of allosteric communication involving the active site, the Na+ site and exosite I. The evolutionary origin of Na+ activation in serine proteases and its engineering in enzyme scaffolds devoid of such property remain major interests of the lab. Our experimental approaches encompass enzyme kinetics, thermodynamics, site-directed mutagenesis, protein engineering and X-ray structural biology.
Michael S. Diamond, BA, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The research in the Diamond laboratory focuses on the interface between viral pathogenesis and the host immune response. For several years, we have been primarily focused on two globally important mosquito-borne human pathogens West Nile virus and Dengue virus. Both are single-stranded positive-sense RNA viruses of the same genus (Flavivirus) that cause human disease worldwide. Recently, we have begun to study another member of the same virus family, hepatitis C, which causes chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Investigations with hepatitis C virus are aimed at generating a novel mouse model and understanding the epitope specificity of protective antibodies against this virus.
Holly J. Diesel, BA, BS, MSN, PhD, Assistant Professor , Email
Institution: BJC HealthCare (BJH)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I have interests in women's health, more specifically obstetrics and HIV in pregnancy and women of ethnically diverse populations, as well as alternative and complementary interventions. Another area of research interest includes the impact of simulation on skill and knowledge acquistion and competency.
Hans H. Dietrich, PhD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our research interests center on the study of cerebral micro-vascular regulation in health and disease including mechanism of amyloid beta induced cerebro-vascular dysfunction, cerebral amyloid angiopathy and vascular function in Alzheimer’s Disease and diabetes and translating our findings into treatments to ameliorate or rescue micro-vascular function.
Dick Dillon, none, Email, Website
Institution: Preferred Family Healthcare, Inc.
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Innovative practices in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment, Improving transitions of science to service, using breaking technology to improve interventions and outcomes.
Jennifer N. Dines, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Currently, I will be attending medical school in August of 2008 at Washington University in St. Louis. My career developmental goals are to pursue my passion for research in the field of Neurosurgery. I am drawn to the fact that there is still so much room for advancement in this field. Much of the inner mechanisms of the brain are still unknown; it is the next generation of scientist’s task, and I hope to play a role in this discovery. My present research project focuses on the outcome of selective amygdalohippocampectomy versus standard temporal lobectomy. It is a retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes of patients with intractable epilepsy undergoing selective amygdalohippocampectomy. I will be looking at patient outcomes with regard to seizure freedom rate and morbidity or mortality for patients with intractable partial epilepsy of a mesial temporal origin.
Cody Ding, PhD, Email
Institution: University Of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The research interests include: (1) program evaluation, psychological and educational measurement. (2) growth modeling using both exploratory and confirmatory techniques, particulary with multidimensional scale models. (3) devlopmental psychopathology.
John F. DiPersio, MD, PhD, Division Chief of Oncology, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Mouse models of stem cell transplantation and Graft vs. Host Disease; biology and genetics of AML relapse/resistance; stem cell trafficking and mobilization in mouse and man; clinical trials in patients with acute leukemias and those undergoing stem cell transplantation.
Michael N. Diringer, MD, Section Head: Neurocritical Care, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our research focuses on assessing the physiologic response to therapeutic interventions used to treat critically ill patients with acute CNS disease. These studies assess, in patients, cerebrovascular, metabolic, structural and biochemical responses to treatments in order to provide the foundation for larger studies to test impact on clinical outcome. Studies utilize PET measurements of cerebral blood flow, volume, oxygen and glucose metabolism, and disease markers along with MRI measurement of brain volume and oxygen metabolism.
Ian G. Dobbins, BS, MS, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research focuses on episodic memory retrieval and the decision processes that support memory judgments. Our lab uses a combination of behavioral research, decision modeling and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate memory retrieval and attribution mechanisms.
Allan Doctor, MD, Director, Pediatric Critical Care, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research program is focused upon the novel role of red blood cell (RBC) based signaling in matching regional blood flow to metabolic need. The RBC transport portfolio is newly appreciated to include 3 gases (O2, CO2, NO), and RBCs appear to serve as vascular control elements by exerting O2 - responsive control over vasoactive effectors in plasma. More specifically, our goal is to define the role of RBCs in the spread of vascular dysfunction during oxidative stress. We hypothesize 1) that RBCs are injured by transit through vascular beds under severe oxidative stress; 2) these RBCs lose O2 - responsive control of NO transfer reactions; and consequently, 3) the downstream vascular beds lose coupling to environmental inputs. With these studies, we hope to improve mechanistic insight into normal coupling between regional vascular tone and local O2 gradients, and to understand how RBCs may propagate dysfunction across vascular beds.
Tamara L. Doering, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Director of Microbiology Graduate Program, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Cryptococcus neoformans is a pathogenic fungus responsible for serious opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals. My lab studies unique aspects of cryptococcal biology that are of biological interest and may suggest targets for badly needed antifungal chemotherapy. The main virulence factor of C. neoformans is its extensive polysaccharide capsule, a unique protective structure that is required for virulence. We are taking several approaches to understanding capsule biosynthesis, and to investigating interactions of this pathogen with host cells.

In our studies we apply approaches and methodology drawn from biochemistry, genetics, and molecular and cell biology. We take advantage of sequence information, high throughput technology (microarray and robotics), sophisticated imaging, animal models, and methods we have developed for RNA interference in this organism. These approaches allow us to address the molecular mechanisms of capsule synthesis and cryptococcal pathogenesis.
Gerald W. Dorn, BS, MD, Associate Chair of Medicine for Translational Research, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The general theme of the Dorn laboratory revolves around how neurohormonal stimulation of the heart contributes to development of cardiac hypertrophy and its progression to heart failure. Our team uses cell and molecular biology platforms to address mechanistic questions relating to receptor-effector coupling, genetically manipulated mice to define functional relevance of signaling pathways in the integrated cardiovascular system, and human genomics that bridge the bench and bedside. Current translational projects investigate how adrenergic receptor desensitization by G-protein receptor kinases affects the stressed or failing heart, and how regulated expression of cardiac microRNAs compensates for myocardial disease. Basic investigations examine novel mechanisms of apoptotic and non-apoptotic programmed cell death by Bcl2-family proteins, and how cardiac injury is mediated by calpain-mediated proteolytic processing of protein kinase C. The laboratory has special expertise in genetic manipulation of mouse hearts using conditional gene ablation and overexpression approaches, and in microsurgical modeling and analytical techniques.
Rebecca S. Dresser, BA, MS, JD, Professor of Law and Professor of Ethics in Medicine, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Research Ethics (human subjects, lab animals, research integrity), health policy
Erik R. Dubberke, BA, MD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Dubberke’s research focuses on the prevention, risk factors, and outcomes of Clostridium difficile-associated disease in the general hospitalized patient population as well as stem cell transplant recipients. He is also active in developing and evaluating infection prevention and treatment protocols in stem cell and solid organ transplant recipients.
James M. DuBois, BA, MS, PhD, ScD, Hubert Mäder Chair of Health Care Ethics, Department Chair, Email, Website
Institution: Saint Louis University (SLU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Research ethics; educational assessment; mental health research; ethics in organ transplantation; psychology of ethical behavior
James R. Duncan, MD, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Primary interest is research in process improvement strategies as they apply to image guided medical procedures. The best known example is improving system performance during central venous catheter placement. The goal is to optimize the balance between patient/customer needs and system capabilities.
William M. Dunne, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Primary interests are in molecular epidemiology, antimicrobial resistance, and diagnostic methods in clinical microbiology
Stephen P. Duntley, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My primary research interest is in the pathophysiology and treatment of sleep disorders including obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, circadian rhythm disorders and insomnia. Interests also include the phylogeny of sleep and basic sleep/wake mechanisms.
Adriana S. Dusso, PhD, Research Associate Professor, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The focus of our research is the hyperplasia of secondary hyperparathyroidism, a common complication of kidney disease, which causes resistance to treatment with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and, consequently, high morbidity and mortality. We have identified the link between high growth rates and resistance to therapy: Enhanced parathyroid expression of transforming growth factor-? (TGF-?) and TACE (ADAM 17), the metalloproteinase that releases mature TGFa from its transmembrane precursor, generate a positive feed-forward loop sufficient to accelerate TGF-? /EGFR-driven growth rates, enhance TACE levels, and suppress the expression of the vitamin D receptor gene. Importantly, we find that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D synergizes with anti-EGFR therapy in suppressing TGF? and TACE expression. The translational relevance of these findings extends beyond secondary hyperparathryoidism. In human cancer, TACE /TGF? co-expression associates with poor prognosis, and TACE inhibition reverses malignant phenotypes. This makes vitamin D therapy a safe anti-TACE therapeutic tool in human cancer.
Gammon M. Earhart, BA, PhD, PT, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy, Anatomy & Neurobiology, and Neurology, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our research focuses on the neural control of walking and balance. We are interested in the adaptive control of mobility and the development of new intervention strategies to address balance and gait deficits in individuals with Parkinson disease and other movement disorders.
Timothy J. Eberlein, BS, MD, Professor and Chairman, Department of Surgery, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Immunology, Immune Therapies, Breast Cancer
Jeff Edmiaston, MS, Email
Institution: BJC HealthCare (BJH)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research is focused understanding the effect of stroke and critical illness on the human swallow mechanism. We believe that by developing this understanding, we will be able to make more accurate predictions for recovery and develop effective methods of treatment.
Steven A. Edmundowicz, MD, Professor of Medicine, Chief of Endoscopy, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Technology development in gastrointestinal endoscopy. Use of new technologies and devices in endoscopic ultrasonography and endoscopic treatments for bleeding, gastroesophageal refulx disease, GI malignancies, pancreatic and biliary disease, and endoscopic therapeis for obesity.
Igor R. Efimov, PhD, Associate Professor, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My laboratory is focussed on investigation of basic mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias and on development of antiarrhythmia therapy. We employ several biophotonic imaging modalities, including fast fluorescent imaging with voltage- and calcium-sensitive dyes and optical coherence tomography.
Issam El Naqa, BS, MS, PhD, MA, Assistant Professor, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I work in the area of oncology informatics. In which, we develop methods to unravel cancer patients response to chemoradiotherapy treatment by integrating physical, biological, and imaging information into mathematical models. My research interest include statistical pattern recognition and data mining in biomedical applications, medical imaging analysis, biomarkers, interactions of physical and biological processes, image-guided and adaptive radiotherapy, treatment planning optimization, Monte Carlo dose calculations, and building software infrastructure for advanced radiotherapy research.
Donald L. Elbert, BS, PhD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The Elbert lab focuses on the development of materials for medical devices and tissue engineering. Bioactive hydrogel materials are synthesized and coated in thin layers on devices, or fabricated into three-dimensional scaffolds. To aid in the design of the bioactive materials, the biochemistry of cells in contact with the materials is studied. In particular, we are interested in quantitative mass spectrometry to enable high-throughput screening of cells in contact with the materials.
Sarah C. Elgin, BA, PhD, Prof Biology, Genetics, Biochem & Molec Biophys, Education, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: We are interested in the role that chromatin structure plays in gene regulation, both effects from packaging large domains and local effects of the nucleosome array. Working with Drosophila melanogaster, we have used a transposable P element containing a copy of the white gene, a visible marker for gene silencing, and a copy of hsp26, a well-characterized inducible gene, to examine the effect of insertion into different domains. Silencing (similar to Position Effect Variegation) is observed on insertion into pericentric heterochromatin, telomeres, and sites within the small fourth chromosome. Both changes in the local nucleosome array, and the spatial organization of the nucleus, appear critical. We are analyzing the process of heterochromatin formation, the mechanism of heterochromatin targeting (in particular the role of the RNAi machinery), and analyzing the role of critical heterochromatin-associated proteins, including HP1, HP2, and the histone methyltransferases.
Michael B. Elliott, BA, MS, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am interested in the interplay of the environment and the individual in relationship to health behaviors. Specific areas of research focus include diabetes, obesity, physical activity, and nutrition. Technical interests and skills include internet data collection, data management techniques, and geographic information systems.
Matthew J. Ellis, PhD, MB, FRCP, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Breast cancer, specifically, insulin-like growth factor signaling, endocrine therapy, signal transduction therapy, preoperative systemic therapy and array-based analysis of breast cancer gene expression.
Alexis Elward, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Areas of research interest include central-line associated bloodstream infection prevention, ventilator-associated pneumonia and hand hygiene; she has been the recipient of NIH and CDC awards to study these. She is also the site investigator for several multicenter pediatric infection prevention initiatives, including an R01 to study the epidemiology of resistant Enterobacteriaceae and an industry funded grant to study to efficacy of daily bathing with chlorhexidine in the prevention of central-line associated bloodstream infections.
Jack R. Engsberg, BS, MS, PhD, Ph.D., Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Engsberg, a biomechanist, has been performing research in areas related to rehabilitation for over 20 years. He has focused on evaluating the efficacy of treatments and developing procedures, selection processes, instruments, and devices that improve and maintain function in persons with disabilities. The disabilities include cerebral palsy, stroke, scoliosis, spinal deformity, spinal cord injuries, and amputations.
Bradley A. Evanoff, MD, MPH, Professor of Medicine and Occupational Therapy, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research is primarily focused on the epidemiology and prevention of work-related injuries and muculoskeletal disorders. Current projects include a large, prospective study of carpal tunnel syndrome and other upper extremity disorders, a study of lower extremity exposures in construction workers, evaluation of an educational intervention to prevent falls in carpenters, and a study of parkinsonism in welders. Our group is also looking at worksite based health promotion and other interactions between work and health.
Gregory A. Ewald, MD, Director, Section of Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant, Interim Chief, Clinical Cardiology, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Ewald directs the patient-oriented research efforts in the Section of Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantation. Clinical trials have focused on 1) promising pharmaceuticals for the treatment of heart failure and transplant immunosuppression 2)exercise training in heart failure 3) implantable device therapy including defibrillators and biventricular pacing 4) remote patient monitoring and 5) left ventricular assist devices for patients with advanced heart failure.
Uthayashanker Ezekiel, BS, MS, PhD, Adjunct Faculty, Email
Institution: Saint Louis University (SLU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Active areas of research interest are cancer biology, gene targeting and stem cell therapy.
Mitchell N. Faddis, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am interested clinical investigation focused on understanding the pathophysiology and treatment of atrial fibrillation. I am particularly interested in the development of new catheter based strategies for curative treatment of atrial fibrillation.
Richard E. Fagley, MD, Associate Program Director, Critical Care Anesthesiology, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The cardiovascular cellular response to sepsis; reduction of the hazards of blood transfusion.
Albert Faro, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I have 2 specific areas of research interest. My primary focus is understanding why many pediatric lung transplant recipients develop bronchiolitis obliterans. I am presently interested in defining the role respiratory viral infections after transplant may have on the immune response to the allograft. My other area of interest is in finding therapies for cystic fibrosis that will slow the decline in lung function experienced by most patients. I am actively involved in several different studies through the CF-Therapeutic Development Network.
Todd A. Fehniger, MD, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Fehniger is interested in understanding innate immunity and its relationship to cancer. He focuses on the molecular and cellular biology of one innate immune lymphocyte, the natural killer cell, and developing translational immunotherapy strategies that utilize natural killer cells to fight cancer.
Nicholas S. Ferder, PharmD, Email
Institution: St. Louis College of Pharmacy (STCOP)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Pharmacogenetics, especially dealing with warfarin.
Thomas A. Ferguson, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our laboratory examines the impact of the immune response on blinding eye disorders such as age-related macular degeneration.
Thomas W. Ferkol, BA, MD, Division Director, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Ferkol’s research has focused on the development of cell and animal models to study cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia, defining genetic and molecular factors that contribute to chronic endobronchial infection, inflammation, and airway injury. He and his collaborators have developed novel approaches for airway-specific drug delivery and non-invasive measures of inflammation in the cystic fibrosis lung.
Joshua J. Field, BS, MD, Instructor of Medicine, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I conduct patient-oriented research in children and adults with sickle cell disease. Our group is largely focused on the pathogenesis of pulmonary complications of sickle cell disease and potential therapeutic interventions.
Jill B. Firszt, BS, MS, PhD, Director Cochlear Implant and Electrophysiology Lab, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Current clinical research includes longitudinal studies with adults and children who receive bilateral cochlear implants. For individuals who receive sequential implants, we study the impact of the first implanted ear on the benefit and rate of improvement obtained from a cochlear implant received at a later time in the opposite ear. In individuals with unilateral hearing loss, we investigate the effects of asymmetric hearing on patient outcomes using both behavioral techniques and physiologic imaging tools (e.g., fMRI and measures of connectivity). In addition, studies are in process to examine whether hearing-impaired individuals with significant asymmetrical hearing loss can effectively utilize a hearing aid in one ear and a cochlear implant in the other. Another research area assesses the relation between behavioral outcomes with cochlear implants and neurophysiologic responses that may underlie processing of speech. This line of research combines results from listening tasks and neurophysiologic recordings in the same individual.
Kelli D. Fitterling, PharmD, Email
Institution: St. Louis College of Pharmacy (STCOP)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My clinical and research training interests are in pharmacogenetics/genomics, pediatric medicine, and drug development.
Timothy P. Fleming, PhD, Research Professor, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research interests are focused on the biology of breast cancer; biomarker development relating to breast cancer; and immunotherapies directed against breast cancer.
James W. Fleshman, MD, Chairman Department of Colorectal Surgery, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Fleshman specializes in colon and rectal surgery and cancer. Other areas of clinical interest include laparoscopic surgery, rectovaginal fistula, rectal prolapse, pelvic floor disorders, colorectal tumors, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, pelvic pouch operation, artificial bowel sphincter, strictureplasty and perineal proctectomy.
Louise H. Flick, BA, MSN, RN, DrPH, MPE, Professor, Email
Institution: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research interests focus on maternal and child health/epidemiology in vulnerable populations (prenatal/parental drug and tobacco use, homeless mothers with children, SIDS prevention in minority populations, adolescent pregnancy/parenting). My most recent work includes studies of psychiatric disorder in pregnancy and effects on fetal growth, birth outcomes and child development. Currently, I am Co-Principal Investigator of the St. Louis Gateway Study Center of the National Children's Study (sponsored by NICHD, EPA, CDC and NIEHS). This cohort study will recruit a representative sample of 100,000 children, 25% preconception and 75% in the 1st trimester, and follow them for 21 years. The study focuses on environmental exposures and environment/gene interactions in the development of autism, schizophrenia, asthma, metabolic syndrome obesity and other disorders. The local sample with consist of 2,000 children.
Kathryn E. Fong, MD, Email
Institution: University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Through this program, I hope to gain greater insight and training in becoming a clinical researcher, and also in developing my ability to become an independent investigator. I hope to form new working relationships with colleagues in other allied healthcare fields, thus enhancing my ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
Luigi Fontana, MD, PhD, MD, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research interests lie in nutrition, aging and longevity in humans. It focuses primarily on the potential role of diet and exercise in retarding the aging process. In particular, I am investigating the long-term effects of severe calorie restriction, protein restriction, phytochemical-rich plant-based diets and endurance exercise on outcomes such as cardiovascular risk factors and function, inflammation, glucose tolerance, bone metabolism, neuroendocrine and immune function, and cancer. I am also interested in the endocrine role of abdominal fat storage as a mediator of insulin resistance and accelerated aging.
Andria L. Ford, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Diagnosis and Management of Acute Stroke, Acute Stroke Imaging
Alicia B. Forinash, PharmD, Email
Institution: St. Louis College of Pharmacy (STCOP)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My primary interest area for research and clinical practice is women's health.
Erin R. Foster, OTD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research interests reside at the intersection of clinical and cognitive neuroscience and occupational therapy. My goal is to understand how higher order cognitive abilities interact with disease manifestations, personal factors and everyday contexts to influence function, participation and quality of life in older adults with chronic neurological disorders. This information will be used to enhance current practice or develop new intervention strategies to improve or maintain individuals’ daily performance and quality of life. Presently, I am addressing these questions in the context of Parkinson disease (PD). My guiding research aims are to: (1) determine the relevance of higher order cognitive deficits in individuals with PD measured in the laboratory or clinic to everyday cognitive functioning and activity participation, and (2) determine person, environment and occupation factors that influence the relationships among cognitive ability, everyday performance and quality of life in individuals with PD.
Will become an Instructor in the Program in Occupational Therapy in July 2008.
Vicky J. Fraser, MD, Co-Director of Infectious Disease Division, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My main research focus is healthcare epididemiology specifically risk factors, outcomes and costs of nosocomial infections and adverse events in hospitalized patients. I also do health services research studying quality and patient safety and methods to improve health care outcomes through intervention studies. Large adminsitrative databases are used along with medical informatics and prospective cohort studies to evaluate blood stream infections, ventilator assoicated pneumonia, ICU related infections, surgical site infections, adverse events, antibiotic resistance and falls.
Kenneth E. Freedland, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Depression in patients with coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, or diabetes; stress and other psychosocial and behavioral factors in heart disease; clinical trials targeting psychosocial or behavioral factors in medically ill patients.
Anthony R. French, MD, PhD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My clinical interests include juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile dermatomyositis, vasculitis, and pediatric SLE. My research is focused on the role of natural killer (NK) cells in the early innate immune response and is motivated by the hypothesis that a clearer understanding of in vivo NK cell responses and homeostasis may lead to novel therapeutic interventions in autoimmune diseases.
Stephanie A. Fritz, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am a Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist with a research interest in antibiotic-resistant organisms, specifically community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). My investigations involve the epidemiology, microbial virulence mechanisms, and host defenses against CA-MRSA infection and colonization and methods to prevent transmission of this organism.
Brian F. Gage, MD, MS, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My collaborators and I have studied adverse events in the atrial fibrillation population. We developed clinical prediction rules for stroke (“CHADS2”) and for bleeding (“HEMORR2HAGES”) in the atrial fibrillation population. We have quantified the costs, risks, and benefits of warfarin therapy and newer anticoagulants.


We use pharmacogenetics to improve the safety and effectiveness of warfarin. We have collaborated with geneticists to discover new polymorphisms that predict warfarin sensitivity. We are also studying how physicians should use this genetic information and have developed a non-profit website, www.WarfarinDosing.org. We are using this site to clarify determinants of warfarin dose and to test the hypothesis that clinicians can estimate a safe warfarin dose a priori, rather than by using the current trial-and-error warfarin dosing.
Leesa M. Galatz, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My clinical practice focuses on surgery of the shoulder and elbow. My research interests are primarily rotator cuff healing. I am active in both basic science and clinical research. Basic science research involves tendon to bone healing, shoulder development, and muscle degeneration, specifically, the effect of force on those processes.
James E. Galvin, BA, MD, MPH, MS, Director, Memory Diagnostic Center and Alzheimer Treatment Unit, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The neurobiology of neurodegenerative disease including the clinical, cognitive, pathological and imaging alterations associated with Aging, Dementia and Movement Disorders.
Feng Gao, MD, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Research interests include statistical designs in early phase clinical trials; statistical methods for developing medical diagnostic and predictive rules; data analysis of longitudinal and survival data, especially survival data with time-dependent covariates or correlated survival times.
Jane M. Garbutt, MD, Research Assistant Professor, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Clinical research in the community. I am the Director of WU PAARC, a practice-based research network of community pediatricians. A particular interest is translating research evidence into practice.
Dawn Garzon, MSN, PhD, RN, MPE, Assistant Professor and MSN Program Director, Email, Website
Institution: University Of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Unintentional injury prevention in preschool children. My primary focus is child and parental behavioral characteristics that influence injury risk. I am especially interested in parental supervisory behavior and appropriate understanding of their child's developmental abilities.
Richard Gelberman, MD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Tendon repair, carpal instability, peripheral nerve repair and peripheral nerve compression
Andrew E. Gelman, BS, PhD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our laboratory is actively pursuing the mechanisms that control lung allograft tolerance. We have 4 main areas of interest. (1) How ischemia reperfusion injury regulates lung allograft survival (2) The role of pattern recognition receptors in lung allograft rejection (3) How lung allografts regulate bone marrow myelopoiesis (4) The role of secondary lymphoid organs in lung transplantation
Robert Gereau, PhD, Chief of Basic Research, Washington University Pain Center, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Preclinical and translational pain research. Basic mechanisms of pain sensitization.
Jessica Germino, BA, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research focused on the analysis of secular trends in the presentation of inflammatory bowel disease in children and adolescents. Variables included age, demographic data, type and duration of symptoms, severity of laboratory abnormalities, and nutritional status with data from over 500 patients.
Nsangou T. Ghogomu, MD, MA, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Using the SEER-Medicare database to determine the rate of iatrogenic esophageal perforations in patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck after age 65 and underwent at least one esophagoscopy. In addition, identifying risk factors associated with higher perforation.
David Gierada, BS, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Research interests include: Quantitative CT applications in emphysema and asthma; Radiologic screening for early lung cancer; Hyperpolarized helium-3 MR imaging
William E. Gillanders, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our laboratory is focused on the immunologic intervention to cancer via vaccine development. We are also characterizing the biology of the cell adhesion molecule, EpCAM. EpCAM is overexpressed in breast cancer and this overexpression correlates with poor prognosis. We are interested in the molecular controls that regulate EpCAM expression in breast cancer. Our studies have also identified the role EpCAM has in breast cancer invasion and we are further characterizing the biological signaling of EpCAM in human breast cancer.
James F. Gilsinan, PhD, E.Desmond Lee Professor in Collaborative Regional Education, Email
Institution: Saint Louis University (SLU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Community based policy research working primarily with policy implementors (police officers, school teachers, and social service agency personnel) to discover and disseminate best practices.
Alison M. Goate, BS, PhD, Samuel & Mae S. Ludwig Professor of Genetics in Psychiatry , Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My lab uses molecular genetics to understand the causes and risk factors for two important health problems: dementia (Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia) and addiction (alcohol and nicotine dependence). These studies involve interdisciplinary teams and span recruitment and assessment of human subjects, genome-wide association studies and in vitro studies designed to test the role of specific genes in disease risk. The lab has a strong emphasis on the use of endophenotypes in the study of complex disease.
Joel A. Goebel, BS, MD, Vice Chairman and Professor, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Hearing loss, dizziness, balance disorders, Meniere's disease, facial nerve injuries, skull base tumors, vertigo, vestibular disorders, progressive hearing loss, fluctuating hearing loss, unilateral (one ear) hearing loss, fluid behind the ear drum, draining ear, facial paralysis or facial twitching, ringing in the ear, tinnitus, hearing loss in children, Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA), cochlear implantation
Rakhee Goel, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: To explore the feasibility of administering a comprehensive assessment battery which will detect and describe comorbidities, geriatric syndromes, functional and cognitive impairments in newly diagnosed senior adult cancer patients.
Anne C. Goldberg, BA, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Clinical trials of lipid-modifying diet and drug therapy. Outcomes studies involving lipid and metabolism modifying drugs. Particular interest in patients with inherited lipid disorders, such as familial hypercholesterolemia.
Mark P. Goldberg, BA, MD, Director, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My laboratory studies mechanisms of axon injury and regeneration in white matter damaged by stroke and other brain diseases.
Charles A. Goldfarb, MD, Associate Professor of Orthopaedics, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Goldfarb's primary research interests include reconstruction for degenerative and rheumatoid conditions, congenital deformities, and nerve compression syndromes of the upper extremity.
Paul J. Goodfellow, PhD, Professor, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: A major focus of my laboratory is determining the role loss of DNA mismatch repair plays in endometrial cancers. Translational research efforts include devising strategies for cancer risk stratification based on inherited susceptibility.
Boone W. Goodgame, BS, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Clinical interests are the treatment of lung cancer and esophageal cancer. Research interests focus on molecular and clinical predictors of outcome in early stage lung cancer, mechanisms of brain metastasis in lung cancer, and clinical trials of novel therapeutics in lung cancer.
Jeffrey I. Gordon, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Mutually beneficial relationships between microbes and animals are a pervasive feature of life on our microbe-dominated planet. We are no exception: the total number of microbes that colonize our body surfaces exceeds our total number of somatic and germ cells by 10-fold. The majority of our symbionts reside in our intestines (10-100 trillion!), where they provide us with traits we have not had to evolve on our own. In this sense, we should view ourselves as a composite of bacterial, archaeal and human cells, our genetic landscape as a summation of the genes embedded in our own human genome and the genes embedded in the genomes (‘microbiome’) of our microbial partners, and our metabolic features as an amalgamation of human and microbial attributes. We are interested in the following questions: What are the genomic and metabolic foundations of our mutually beneficial relationships with gut microbes? How do we acquire our microbiota and microbiome? How much diversity is there in our microbiomes: do all humans share an identifiable ‘core’ microbiome? How is the human microbiome evolving as a function of our changing diets, lifestyle, and biosphere? How does it contribute to health and our predispositions to various diseases? How can we intentionally manipulate our microbial communities to optimize their performance in the context of an individual, or a population? To address these questions, we are sequencing the genomes of 100 representative members of the human gut microbiota so that we can make predictions about what attributes they possess and what contributions they make to their microbial communities and hosts. We use germ-free normal and genetically engineered mice, colonized with defined collections of sequenced wild-type (or mutant) bacteria and archaea that normally reside in the human gut, to simultaneously monitor host and microbial responses to colonization. We employ a variety of experimental and computational techniques, including metagenomics (sequencing whole microbial community DNA to define its gene content), functional genomics, and mass-spec-based metabolomics, so that we can compare and contrast the composition of the gut microbial community and its microbiome in normal mice and mice that serve as models for common human diseases. We are taking the insights we glean from mouse models and validating them in humans, including mono- and dizygotic twin pairs and their mothers and siblings. One key issue we are addressing is whether differences in our gut microbial ecology affect our pre-disposition to obesity or malnutrition. These latter studies involve humans living in developing countries located in various parts of the world.
Mae E. Gordon, BA, MS, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Expertise in the design, implementation and analysis of multi-site randomized clinical trials and observational studies. Coordinating Center PI for two multi-site NIH funded studies. Expertise in the development and refinement of functional measures, clinical outcome measures and photodocumentation protocols. Specialization in vision research.
Ramaswamy Govindan, MD, Director, Thoracic Medical Oncology, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our group is interested in developing predictive and prognostic biomarkers in patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). We have identified a 64 gene signature that accurately predicts the outcomes of patients with resected early stage NSCLC. We are in the process of developing a q RT PCR assay that could be performed in formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues. We are also pursuing genomic predictors of recurrence in the brain as brain metastases from NSCLC is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We are actively studying distinctive molecular changes associated with lung cancer in lifelong never smokers. Finally, our group is interested in exploring novel agents in the treatment of advanced NSCLC.
Dorothy Katherine Grange, BA, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My current clinical research interests include clinical trials for new therapies for phenylketonuria (PKU) and Down syndrome. I am also interested in identification and delineation of genetic syndromes. I am involved with diagnosis and management of inborn errors of metabolism, birth defects, malformation syndromes, chromosomal disorders, Marfan syndrome and other connective tissue disorders.
Anna S. Graseck, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My TL1 project is a randomized trial of home- versus clinic-based screening for sexually transmitted infections (STI) among women using intrauterine devices (IUD) and the contraceptive implant.
Timothy Graubert, MD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The primary focus of the Graubert Laboratory is understanding the genetic basis of myeloid malignancies, including myelodysplastic syndromes, acute myeloid leukemia, and therapy-related leukemias.
David B. Gray, BA, MS, PhD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research involves understanding the various factors that influence community participation by people with disabilities. My work covers: 1) developing and testing subjective and objective measures of participation in communities; 2) implementing community engagement initiatives to improve community receptivity for people with impairments; 3) developing person-specific interventions to increase community participation by people with mobility, visual, auditory and intellectual impairments; and 4) studying characteristics of people with disabilities who work and the receptivity of their work environments.
Jonathan M. Green, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My area of research is the regulation of T cell activation and inflammation through receptors called costimulatory receptors. We are exploring how manipulation of these pathways can block unwanted inflammation in diseases, particularly lung diseases such as asthma.
Lisa Green, MSN, RN, PhD(c), Email
Institution: Barnes-Jewish College of Nursing
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Identify knowledge and attitude factors that influence African American women to seek HIV testing. A secondary aim is to identify factors that influence the decision to be HIV tested differ between younger and older women.
Bennett S. Greenspan, BS, MD, MS, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am interested in determining whether a radiolabeled agent can be developed and used for PET or conventional Nuclear Medicine imaging to detect osteoclastic processes by scintigraphy. Currently, no such agent is available. Such a radiolabeled tracer would be a significant adjunct in evaluating a number of malignancies, and would add valuable information for staging, determining recurrence and evaluation of effects of treatment.
Stephen H. Gregory, MD, Email
Institution: St. Louis Children's Hospital (SLCH)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Respiratory complications from general anesthesia are common in the pediatric population, especially among patients under the age of 6. Major common manifestations include oxygen desaturation, coughing, bronchospasm, and laryngospasm. Several studies have recently demonstrated that the risk of adverse respiratory events can be increased as much as 11-fold in children diagnosed with recent upper respiratory infections. My research attempts to identify those specific viral agents whose presence is associated with a particularly high risk of perioperative respiratory complications. Patients undergoing elective surgical procedures are evaluated by analysis of whole blood and respiratory secretions for the presence of viral infection. A standardized preoperative questionnaire documents the presence or absence of recent episodes of illness, and a perioperative outcome sheet evaluates the incidence of negative anesthesia outcomes. The eventual goal is to develop a better way to identify patients at higher risk for anesthesia complications.
Jaclyn M. Grentzer, BA, MD, Professor of Urology and Genetics, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Current research areas focus on identification of molecular markers of tumor aggressiveness, adjuvant and neoadjuvant approaches to treatment of high risk disease, and improved imaging of patients with urologic malignancies.
Gloria R. Grice, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Email
Institution: St. Louis College of Pharmacy (STCOP)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am currently working with Dr. Brian Gage in the area of pharmacogenetics of warfarin. I participate in mentoring T32 students that Dr. Gage is primary mentor for.
Perry W. Grigsby, BS, MD, MS, Professor, Radiation Oncology, Nuclear Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The new microPET Center at the Department of Radiation Oncology is designed to provide radiation services to all researchers at the Siteman Cancer Center and Washington University Medical Center. The microRT is a machine that focuses radiation in a very small beam to target tiny tumors, as small as 2 mm wide, without irradiating nearby tissues. Ongoing efforts of the center include implementation of imaging and positioning systems to conduct small animal studies that can potentially advance human cancer treatment.
Eduardo A. Groisman, PhD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am interested in bacterial signal transduction, the regulation of virulence and microbial evolution, focusing on the enteric bacteria Salmonella and E. coli.
Ann M. Gronowski, PhD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My lab focuses primarily on the laboratory diagnostics of endocrinology and reproductive physiology with a particular emphasis on maternal fetal medicine. Recently, our work has examined how to properly assess the risk for fetal lung maturity using either lamellar body counts or a method using fluorescent polarization. We have developed easy-to-use tables for the assessment of risk for respiratory distress syndrome using results from the fluorescent polarization assay and gestational age.

We have also examined the cytokines IL-6, TNFá, and IL-2 receptor in cervicovaginal fluid as markers of impending preterm delivery. Cytokines have been shown to be associated with preterm delivery in serum and amniotic fluid, but few studies have been done using cervicovaginal fluid. Our studies suggest that IL-6 performs similar to fetal fibronectin in predicting delivery within 14 days.
Robert J. Gropler, MD, Professor of Radiology, Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The focus of our investigative efforts is on the role of myocardial metabolic remodeling in both normal and abnormal cardiac states. Quantification of myocardial perfusion and substrate metabolism is performed with positron emission tomography using novel PET radiopharmaceuticals and well-validated kinetic models. The measurements of myocardial perfusion and metabolism are then correlated to measurements of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function obtained with either echocardiography or MRI. These measurements are obtained in variety models of disease ranging from rodents to humans. Active areas of investigation include the role nitric oxide and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor on the age related decline in myocardial fatty acid metabolism, the effect of fatty acid delivery on myocardial substrate metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus, and the relationship between myocardial and whole-body substrate metabolism in obesity.
Michael L. Gross, BA, PhD, Professor of Chemistry, Medicine, Immunology, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our general interests are in protein and DNA chemistry and mass spectrometry. In various collaborations (notably with E. Unanue at WU), we are seeking the class II peptide antigen that is responsible for Type I diabetes. We are also interested in developing biomarkers, especially for breast cancer. The guiding hypothesis is that women at risk have in imbalance in estrogen metabolism, leading to accumulation of reactive metabolites that modify DNA. We are searching for the modified DNA base in collaboration with R. Aft, a surgeon at WU. In the protein area, we are interested in developing and applying proteomics methods to understand how the muscle proteome is differentially modified in AIDS and aging (with K. Yarasheski at WU). We also wish to develop and apply biophysical methods using mass spectrometry to determine interfaces of proteins that are involved in toxicity and bacterial infections.

My laboratory is supported as an NCRR NIH Research Resource in Mass Spectrometry as part of a three laboratory facility (including the labs of J. Turk and R. Townsend at WU). We not only do basic research in mass spectrometry but also are available to collaborate with scientists who wish to use mass spectrometry and proteomics in their own clinical research.
Brenda J. Grossman, BS, MD, MPH, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Grossman’s research is focused on clinical aspects of transfusion medicine, especially as it applies to transplant patients.
Jessica Grubb, BA, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Clinical care of HIV-infected individuals, ACTU trials, Women and HIV, Metabolic Complications of HIV and antiretroviral therapy
Robert L. Grubb, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery(Urology), Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My primary area of research interest is in the molecular basis of chemoresistance of tumors of the genitourinary system, primarily prostate and bladder cancer. I also have research interests in prostate cancer screening and biomarkers and imaging of prostate cancer and other genitourinary malignancies.
Richard A. Grucza, PhD, MPE, Research Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My work is understanding both genetic and environmental determinants of addiction and their interactions. Current work focuses on the role of nicotinic receptors in multiple addictions, and the role of early substance use in potentially moderating risk conferred by genetic factors.
Chi C. Gu, PhD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My current research focuses on two areas of genetic epidemiology and statistical human genetics. The first is the development and application of new statistical methods and bioinformatic tools to deal with high-dimensional data in genetic studies of complex human traits. Interests include machine learning techniques and fast and reliable discovery of important gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in high-throughput genetic studies of complex diseases. The second area is conducting real-world genetic studies on common human disease using the latest biotechnologies and most advanced analytical designs. Specific disease areas of interest include hypertension, hypertensive heart disease and cardiovascular diseases in general, obesity and metabolic syndrome, and kidney diseases.
Christina A. Gurnett, MD, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our major research interest is the genetic basis of musculoskeletal diseases affecting children, including clubfoot and scoliosis. We utilize genome wide linkage analysis to identify disease loci in large families, and then employ association analysis to identify genetic susceptibility factors. Animal models of congenital limb anomalies are also being developed based on the discovery of genes involved in human disease. Additional areas of interest are in the genetics of epilepsy, sleepwalking, and multiple sclerosis.
Debra A. Gusnard, BA, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research involves the use of functional brain imaging to study aspects of social cognition and communication. Current projects address differences between typically developing individuals and autistic individuals in these domains.
David H. Gutmann, MD, MS, PhD, Donald O. Schnuck Family Professor, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our preclinical and clinical research efforts aim to define the pathogenesis of nervous system tumors and to develop targeted therapies for these cancers. Work in our research group uses a collaborative team approach to (1) determine what cellular and molecular changes are necessary for brain tumor formation and continued growth, (2) understand the genetic/genomic changes that underlie brain tumor development and malignant progression, and (3) develop and employ small-animal models of brain tumors in preclinical studies.

Additional information can be found on the Gutmann Laboratory Website (http://www.neuro.wustl.edu/neurogenetics/index.html) as well as on the Neurofibromatosis Center Website (http://www.neuro.wustl.edu/nfcenter).
Debra Haire-Joshu, BS, MS, MSN, PhD, Email
Institution: Saint Louis University (SLU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Haire-Joshu's primary interests are in obesity and diabetes prevention and control among high risk, underserved population. Her current research addresses multilevel interventions to prevent obesity in partnership with national organizations. She is also active in policy research and evaluation as an method for reducing obesity and diabetes.
Dennis Hallahan, MD, McDonnell Distinguished Professor and Department Head, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I develop drugs for the treatment of cancer. Monoclonal antibodies to cancer will be humanized and studied in cancer patients. Targeted drug delivery studies include nanoalbumin conjugated to cancer specific ligands. Radiation sensitizing and radiation protecting drugs are developed primarily in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies.
Donna R. Halloran, MD, MPH, Email
Institution: Saint Louis University (SLU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: In the summer of 2005, Donna R. Halloran, MD, MSPH joined the Division of General Academic Pediatrics in the Department of Pediatrics at Saint Louis University. She completed a medical degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. After completing a pediatric residency at Vanderbilt University, she pursued a research fellowship in general academic pediatrics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she completed a Masters of Science in Public Health. During her research fellowship, Dr. Halloran completed several research projects including a secondary data analysis project utilizing national vital records to determine age of death from SIDS across gestational age ranges. Dr. Halloran has continued her work using large database analyses to conduct pediatric clinical outcomes research. She is currently exploring the relationships between maternal and infant risk factors and infant outcomes, using a database containing private insurance claims linked to birth certificate records.
Marc R. Hammerman, MD, Chromalloy Professor and Director Renal Division, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Organogenssis of kidney and endocrine pancreas: We are developing a novel organ replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease and for diabetes mellitus via transplantation of embryonic organ primordia into adult hosts.
Aaron Hamvas, BS, MD, James P. Keating, MD Professor of Pediatrics, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: The laboratory focus is the role of pulmonary surfactant metabolism in the genesis of respiratory disease in newborns and children. To understand surfactant metabolism in infants with RDS, we infuse stable isotope-labeled fatty acid precursors of surfactant phospholipid and amino acid precursors of surfactant proteins, extract surfactant from airway fluid samples, and measure the isotope incorporation using mass spectrometry techniques. From these measurements, we can determine the composition and the rate of surfactant synthesis and clearance. We obtain DNA from these same infants and sequence the genes encoding surfactant proteins B and C (SP-B, SP-C), the ATP binding cassette A3 protein, a phospholipid transporter (ABCA3), and the gene encoding the rate limiting enzyme of surfactant phosphatidylcholine synthesis, PCYT1B. We then link the specific genotypes with a surfactant “metabolic” phenotype to determine the genetic contribution to surfactant metabolism. From these studies, we expect to understand specific mechanisms of RDS in newborns, from which mechanism specific interventions can be developed.
Xianlin Han, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Identification of the underlying biochemical mechanisms of the altered lipid content and composition in the disease states by lipidomics
Shelly Hanko, PhD, FNP-BC, MSN Coordinator, Email
Institution: University Of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Proposing to establish a regional practice-based research network (PBRN) of advanced practice nurses.Research interest include nurse practitioner care and research in the identification, prevention and management obesity across the lifespan.
Ted H. Hansen, PhD, Professor of Pathology and Immunology, Prof of Genetics, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Translational applications of antigen presentation to T-cells during infection are malignancies.
J. William Harbour, MD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Interest in translational and clinical research in ocular malignancies and melanoma, with particular interest in the areas of genetics, genomics, molecular therapeutics and individualized predictive testing.
Christin A. Harless, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Participation in Clinical Research Training Program.
Matthew B. Harms, BA, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research focuses on the genetic characterization of common and rare neuromuscular diseases, including novel gene identification and genotype-phenotype correlations.
Marcie Harris Hayes, PT, DPT, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am interested in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal pain problems. I am particularly interested in the areas of the low back, hip and knee. I am researching the risk factors such as structural abnormalities and activity participation that may contribute to overuse pain problems.
Mary K. Hastings, BS, PT, DPT, DPT, PT, ATC, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research, clinical practice, and teaching areas of interest are related to the biomechanical factors of the foot/ankle that contribute to injury and are key to address in the treatment.
Dan Haupt, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Medical comorbidity associated with mental illness and its treatment.
William G. Hawkins, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Our lab develops novel therapeutic approaches to the treatment of pancreatic cancer. One project aims to create a DNA vaccine against pancreatic cancer with special emphasis on our ability to translate our discoveries into clinical trials. In addition to the vaccines we also work on ways to augment the effects of the vaccinations by modulating the immune system using chemotherapy and biologic agents. We also have developed novel therapeutics which are selective for pancreas cancer and which restore the cancers cells ability to undergo cell death (Apoptosis). All work is done with emphasis on early stage (phase I) clinical trials.
Davinder J. Hayreh, BA, MD, MA, Email
Institution: BJC HealthCare (BJH)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Psychiatry residency, complete research with Dr.'s Sheline and Mamah on pathophysiology of psychiatric disease.
Xiang He, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Research is focused on biophysical mechanisms of MR signal formation in biological systems and development of new MRI techniques and contrast mechanisms for non-invasive quantification of tissue structure and functioning. Research topics include (1) Baseline and functional OEF and CMRO2 quantification with qBOLD in health and disease; (2) Biological tissue phase contrast: mechanism and applications.
Denise Head, BA, MS, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Professor Head conducts research on the neural basis of cognitive aging. Her research uses behavioral testing and both structural and functional neuroimaging in healthy and pathological aging (e.g. dementia of the Alzheimer type) populations. One line of research explores the relative contributions of frontostriatal circuits and medial temporal regions to skill learning and memory. A particular focus is on executive control processes including working memory, inhibition, temporal processing and task switching. A related interest concerns the impact of cardiovascular health on brain integrity and cognitive performance in older adults. Another developing line of research is focused on combining virtual reality technology and neuroimaging to investigate spatial navigational ability in older adults.
Judy A. Headley, PhD, Email
Institution: BJC HealthCare (BJH)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Headley has over 30 yrs of oncology nursing experience. Areas of research include patient falls, professional burnout among oncology nurses, oncology patient/family education, and management of chemotherapy-related side effects in cancer patients. Current projects include seated exercise to manage fatigue in patients receiving chemotherapy and caregiver education in DVD format to assure and promote safe mobility in the home for cancer patients.
Coy Heldermon, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: In addition to becoming a proficient hematologist/oncologist, I strive to improve the lives of those with inherited disorders through the use of enhanced microchimerism and gene therapy approaches.
Jeffrey P. Henderson, BS, MD, PhD, Instructor, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I have a primary interest in the biochemical interactions occurring at the host-pathogen interface. Current work is specifically applied to questions in the area of urinary tract pathophysiology. This work makes extensive use of biological mass spectrometry (MS), which is a particularly well-suited platform for these studies. Our MS approaches are designed to facilitate a facile transition from in vitro basic science experiments to patient-oriented translational studies.
Katherine E. Henderson, BS, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Interested in methods for assessing and improving healthcare quality. Current projects involve quality review of care associated with mortality, refinement of severity-adjustment models, and analysis of coding patterns and procedures.
Tamara Hershey, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My interests fall within the domain of clinical and cognitive neuroscience. I have two major lines of research. One addresses the neural underpinnings of cognitive and mood dysfunction in diseases relevant to dopamine and the basal ganglia-thalamocortical pathways such as Parkinson disease, Tourette syndrome and essential tremor. The other addresses the effects of type 1 and type 2 diabetes on brain structure and function, particularly during development. Results from both lines of research have clinical and theoretical implications.
Robert O. Heuckeroth, MD, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: We are interested in the molecular mechanisms that control enteric nervous system development. This work is relevant to human Hirschsprung disease and a variety of intestinal motility disorders. We are studying both genetic and non-genetic mechanisms of disease at the level of cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, mouse model systems and beginning studies of human epidemiology and genetics.
Rita M. Heuertz, BS, MS, PhD, Email
Institution: Saint Louis University (SLU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Chronic low levels of systemic inflammation may play a role in prediction and/or causation of many disease states. This paradigm of disease causation indicates heretofore unrealized inflammatory components to disease pathogenesis. A classic example is the emerging view of cardiovascular disease as not only a lipid storage disease but also as an inflammation-mediated pathology with both elements believed to be causative components of disease. Because of this current focus in understanding disease pathogenesis, the role of systemic inflammation in disease and health is a research focus. Besides the basic science perspective of cellular and humoral components involved in systemic inflammation and disease, important components for consideration include clinical and translational research.
Charles F. Hildebolt, BS, DDS, PhD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Dr. Hildebolt’s long-term goal is to identify treatments that minimize oral bone loss. To achieve this goal, he is investigating new methods for using digital dental radiographic images to obtain oral bone mass measurements. With methods that he and his colleagues have developed, they have found that oral bone loss is associated with femoral and vertebral bone loss and that estrogen and/or calcium and vitamin D can reduce this bone loss. He and his colleagues are currently investigating the extent to which increased intakes of calcium and vitamin D improve oral health in adults. The possibility of promoting alveolar bone gain or reducing alveolar bone loss with calcium and vitamin D supplementation could have a significant impact on quality of life by leading to a reduction in surgical treatments aimed at repairing or minimizing alveolar bone damage caused by periodontal disease, a decrease in tooth loss attributable to alveolar bone loss, a decline in the placement of implants or prosthetic devices (bridges and partial dentures) to replace lost teeth, and a reduction in the number of denture remakes and relines required because of alveolar bone resorption.
Dana A. Hill, MD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: I am interested in the biology of the rare pediatric cancer pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB). PPB is a sarcoma that arises during fetal lung development and presents in early childhood. Slightly more than half of children with PPB survive. There is a familial form of the disease that provides an avenue for investigating the genetic basis of PPB. Our research program is designed to: 1) fully define the clinical features of the PPB family cancer syndrome, and 2) identify the gene(s) responsible for PPB predisposition. Defining the PPB syndrome has immediate clinical implications for counseling parents about the risk of disease in siblings and for the development of clinical guidelines for screening for PPB. Finding the gene or genes responsible for PPB development will have an important impact on our understanding of PPB tumorigenesis and mechanisms of predisposition which may be more broadly applicable to cancer biology and lung development.
Claudia A. Hilton, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: As has occurred for other inherited medical conditions, the discovery of specific genetic and neurobiologic causes of autism will be accelerated by the elucidation and precise characterization of core inherited components of the autistic syndrome. I would like to expand the genetic, biomedical and behavioral understanding of sensory processing and its response to various interventions in individuals with autism spectrum disorders and its impact on the participation in productive and meaningful occupations by those individuals and their families.
Keiko Hirose, MD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My research program focuses on improving our understand of how inflammation reaches the inner ear; how inflammatory cells function when they are activated in the ear and how this cell population aids or hampers the repair process after cochlear injury. There are numerous processes that induce cochlear inflammation; ranging from meningitis to cochlear surgery. My long term goals are to use improved knowledge of inflammation to devise targeted therapies for progressive sensorineural hearing loss and to identify methods of preserving residual hearing in individuals who might undergo cochlear implantation. By improving our understanding of inflammation and scar formation in the inner ear; I hope to provide more specific ways to support the survival of hearing cells early during degeneration before hearing loss becomes irreversible.
Katherine Hladky, MD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: My areas of interest include contraceptive use in high-risk and under-served populations.
Stanley P. Hmiel, MD, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: pediatric renal disease, kidney transplantation and long term complications of pediatric transplants
Didier M. Hodzic, PhD, Email
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: LMNA encodes Lamin A and C that, with B-type lamins, forms a nuclear meshwork underneath the inner nuclear membrane of the nuclear envelope. To date, over 200 mutations of LMNA are involved in more than 10 human pathologies involving clinically distinct or combined pathologies of muscle, nerve and bone as well as premature aging. The molecular etiology of these diseases as well as how mutations of a single gene encompass such a wide array of clinical presentations is still obscure. We are currently analyzing the phenotypical effect of some of these mutations in cultured cells.
Robert E. Hogan, MD, Email, Website
Institution: Washington University (WU)
Area of Clinical or Research Interest: Clincial and research interests include multiple areas of epileptology including semiology of epileptic seizures, and neuro-imaging changes in patients with epileptic seizures. Interests in semiology (interpretation of signs and symptoms) of epileptic seizures include clinical changes, such as changes in consciousness, during and after seizures. Neuro-imaging interests incorporate use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and application of analytical techniques such as computational anatomy and general pattern theory to outline brain structures, and use of functional MRI techniques to assist in diagnosis and assess different types of epilepsy. Research in neuro-imaging also involves single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), which allows measurement of brain cerebral blood flow perfusion during seizures, which correlates well with the electrographic pattern of epileptic seizures. Interests in SPECT scanning include use of computer-aided methods of post-image acquisition processing of ictal and interictal SPECT images, to assist in localization of seizures.