2023 Department of Pediatrics Academic Annual Report

Pediatric Neurology

PEDIATRIC FACULTY Dr. Leon Dure.................................................Director | Professor Dr. Matthew Alexander....................................Associate Professor Dr. Amitha Ananth ..............................................Assistant Professor Dr. Emily Gantz....................................................Assistant Professor Dr. Monisha Goyal...............................................................Professor Dr. Katherine Hammond ..................................Assistant Professor Dr. Krisztina Harsanyi-Jilling .........................Associate Professor Dr. Samuel Hopper ............................................Assistant Professor Dr. Pongkiat Kankirawatana ..............................................Professor Dr. Kathryn Lalor..................................................Assistant Professor Dr. Michael Lopez...............................................Assistant Professor Dr. Lydia Marcus..................................................Assistant Professor Dr. Jan Mathisen...................................................................Professor Dr. Tony McGrath..............................................Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Mohamed............................................................Professor Dr. Jayne Ness .....................................................................Professor Dr. Sarah Novara ................................................Assistant Professor Dr. Alan Percy .....................................................Professor Emeritus Dr. Han Phan......................................................Associate Professor Dr. Salman Rashid ...........................................Associate Professor

Dr. Katherine Thaggard ...................................Assistant Professor Dr. Scott Turner, DNP.........................................Assistant Professor Dr. Stephen Walker.............................................Assistant Professor Dr. Samantha Walker, DNP...............................Assistant Professor

FEATURED RESEARCH

BASIC SCIENCE RESEARCH The focus of bench research in the Division of Pediatric Neurology is on genetic neuromuscular disease. Matthew Alexander, Ph.D., and Michael Lopez, M.D., Ph.D., have created a productive laboratory effort that examines the role of both genetic and epigenetic factors in a variety of muscular dystrophies. The laboratory takes a multi-systematic translational approach in using a combination of zebrafish and mouse disease modeling, along with using primary human samples to better understand the etiologies of these disorders and determine any potential avenues for therapeutic treatment. Besides examining the pathophysiology of these diseases, the laboratory performs important pre-clinical mouse testing of “hit” compounds for eventual opportunity for translational use. The success of these investigators is evidenced by the receipt of multiple intramural and extramural grants, enabling the laboratory to grow and to assure long-standing productivity. CLINICAL RESEARCH The division maintains an active clinical research portfolio, primarily addressing the areas of epilepsy, movement disorders, demyelinating diseases, Rett syndrome and neuromuscular conditions in childhood. There are currently 46 clinical research initiatives, with 24 actively enrolling, 16 in data analysis, and six pending activation. Currently, 14 faculty serve as principal investigators for these studies. Funding for our research initiatives continues to include industry (15) and extramural sources (10). We are expanding our clinical research portfolio to include childhood headaches/migraines and more neurogenetic disorders, such as CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder, which will explore additional treatment options in these areas. The Pediatric Neurology Research Group continues to provide clinical research support for faculty investigators. Our staff has grown to include additional nurse and non-nurse coordinators.

2023 Academic Annual Report

109