Associate Chair for Clinical Research

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to share a transition in the Department’s Associate Chair for Clinical Research with the new year. As you know, Gary M. Shaw DrPH has served in this role with great distinction for 13 years. His impact is immeasurable. During his tenure, our clinical research program has grown dramatically. Under his leadership, the Department Research Operations Group was established and he spearheaded numerous partnerships to create infrastructure and enable clinical research. He mentored and guided countless trainees, Instructors, and junior faculty. We are fortunate that he will continue to make major contributions to our fellows’ research training programs, including the Scholarship Academy and the Grant Writing Club. Specifically, he will develop new programs to provide our physician fellows with support in biostatistics and study design. 

Dr. Jennifer Woo Baidal will assume the Department of Pediatrics Associate Chair for Clinical Research. Jenn joined the faculty this fall as an Associate Professor in Pediatrics, in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition. She is at the forefront of scholarly efforts to address disparities in childhood obesity and its associated adverse health outcomes. Her pioneering research focuses on early interventions within the first 1000 days of life, highlighting the critical developmental period for shaping lifelong health outcomes. Jenn has demonstrated a commitment to developing, implementing, and testing multilevel interventions aimed at reducing childhood obesity. These interventions target upstream determinants, including environmental, social, and behavioral factors, showcasing her dedication to addressing the root causes of this public health challenge.

Recognized by her peers, Dr. Woo Baidal serves as the Vice Chair of the Research Committee for the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition (NASPGHAN). She is the recipient of career development awards from Doris Duke, NIH, and the RWJF Harold Amos program, leading to the acquisition of two R01 grants (including one focused on food insecurity) and a PCORI grant to conduct a comparative effectiveness study to improve maternal health in 1500 women involving two community-based organizations and three distinct health systems.

Dr. Woo Baidal is a generous and dedicated mentor, with a particular focus on trainees and junior faculty who are underrepresented in medicine. Nationally, she serves on the National Advisory Committee for Research in Academic Pediatrics Initiative on Diversity (RAPID) for the Academic Pediatrics Association. In this role she provides vision and direction for the program, mentors junior pediatric researchers, participates in annual career and leadership development conference, and reviews grant for the program.