Research

Division faculty and fellows are engaged in a wide variety of clinical, epidemiological, translational and basic science research related to the prevention and treatment of pediatric infectious diseases. Whether utilizing mobile technology to identify disease outbreaks, studying the basic mechanisms of infectious diseases pathogenesis, or developing strategies to reduce or eliminate infections through vaccination or other preventive methods, Division faculty are committed to improving the health of children in our community and internationally.

An important component of the research conducted by Division faculty is developing the next generation of clinical investigators and scientists. Domestic and international postdoctoral scholars and medical trainees work closely in established Division laboratories under the direct supervision and guidance of Division faculty and staff.

 

Manuel Amieva, MD, PhD

Interim Division Chief, Professor

My laboratory studies the strategies pathogens utilize to colonize and subvert the epithelial barrier. We have focused on the epithelial junctions as a target for bacterial pathogens, since the cell-cell junctions serve as both a barrier to infection and also a major control site for epithelial function. In particular, we are interested in how the gastric pathogen Helicobater pylori may cause cancer by interfering with cell signaling at the epithelial junctions.  More 

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Ann Arvin, MD

Vice Provost and Dean of Research, Stanford University/Professor-Emerita

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes varicella (chickenpox) and zoster (shingles). Our laboratory investigates the molecular virology of VZV, focusing on the functional roles of particular viral gene products in pathogenesis and virus-cell interactions in differentiated human cells in SCID mouse models of VZV infection in vivo.  More 

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Julianne Burns, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor

My research focuses on the clinical epidemiology of infections in children, most recently COVID-19. This includes studying risk factors associated with COVID-19 transmission and disease severity, as well as novel methods of diagnosis and treatment guideline adherence. Through the Maldonado Lab, I am involved in household studies assessing the impact of vaccination on viral transmission of COVID-19 and influenza. I have been involved in public health work related to COVID-19 vaccines, as well as research on the epidemiology of infections in pediatric leukemia patients in the Dominican Republic.

 


Sharon F. Chen, MD, MS

Chief of Faculty Development, Clinical Professor

My research interest is in viral infections commonly affecting immunocompromised patients, investigating the pathogenesis and anti-viral immunity of these “opportunistic” viruses. I have a special interest in latent and persistent viruses, such as CMV and BK virus, in solid organ transplant patients. I focus on the host immune response to these viral infections with the end goal of improving clinical practices. I collaborate with both individual and core viral and immunology laboratories to conduct my research.  More 

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Cornelia Dekker, MD

Professor (Research) of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases) Emerita

The overarching theme of our research activities is human response to natural virus infection and to vaccines. We have conducted several studies of adult, toddler and infant immune response to initial infection with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). Our largest was a project in which we screened 20,000 newborn infants at Stanford, El Camino and Santa Clara Valley Hospitals for evidence of congenital HCMV infection. Those infants identified as being infected were enrolled into a 3-year prospective study for medical, audiology and immunology screening.  More 

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Elizabeth Egan, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor

Severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing world, particularly among young children and pregnant women. In humans, these parasites exclusively infect red blood cells during the clinical stage of illness. Malaria has helped shape the human genome by selecting for certain red blood cell polymorphisms that protect individuals from severe disease.  More 

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Hayley Gans, MD

Clinical Professor

The focus of my laboratory is defining the immune response to viral vaccines evaluating the ontogeny of responses in infants and limitations in immunocompromised hosts. We have studied the memory effector T cells response in infants given an early two-dose measles vaccine regimen, measuring CD4+, CD4+CD45RO+ and CD4+CD45RO+CCR7-T cells that produce IFNg;. We have also analyzed key markers of activation, using cell surface markers CD69 and CD40-ligand. In addition, we have studied innate immunity and the interactions with the adaptive immune system. We have measured dendritic cell and monocyte populations and function in infants and children and the effects on measles-specific CD4+ T cell responses.  More 

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Samantha Johnston, MD

Clinical Associate Professor

My most recent interest in research is vaccine preventable diseases, specifically epidemiologic trends of rotavirus and acute gastroenteritis following introduction of rotavirus vaccines. This has branched into trying to better understand the burden of infectious gastroenteritis among children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This interest led to a broader interest in public health practice, focused on vaccine preventable diseases.


Aslam Khan, DO

Clinical Assistant Professor

With increased globalization children across the world are exposed to various infectious pathogens that present similarly with mild symptoms or fever.  Given limited resources and available diagnostics, often they are misdiagnosed and given empiric antibiotics or antimalarial prescriptions, leading to potential for antimicrobial resistance and increased costs.  I am interested in studying the impact of high quality infectious (molecular and serologic) diagnostics to prevent misdiagnosis, improve surveillance and prevention measures, and to promote antimicrobial stewardship with focus in these resource limited settings.   Presently I have been working on projects evaluating dengue virus and chikungunya virus in western and coastal Kenya and will expand to work on these arboviruses and the associated risk factors for infection in Mysore, India. 


Current Research and Scholarly Interests Arthropod-borne viruses are emerging and re-emerging infections that are spreading throughout the world. Our laboratory investigates the epidemiology of arboviral infections, focusing on the burden of disease and the long-term complications on human health. In particular, Dr. LaBeaud investigates dengue, chikungunya, and Rift Valley fever viruses in Kenya, where outbreaks cause fever, arthritis, retinitis, encephalitis, and hemorrhagic fever. Our main research questions focus on the risk factors for arboviral infections, the development of diagnostic tests that can be administered in the field to quickly determine what kind of arboviral infection a person has, and the genetic and immunologic investigation of why different people respond differently to the same infection. Our long-term goals are to contribute to a deeper understanding of arboviral infections and their long-term health consequences and to optimize control strategies to prevent these emerging infections. Our laboratory also investigates the effects of antenatal and postnatal parasitic infections on vaccine responses, growth, and development of Kenyan children.


Grace M. Lee, MD, MPH

Chief Quality Officer and Christopher G. Dawes Endowed Directorship in Quality, Stanford Medicine Children's Health Associate Dean for Maternal and Child Health (Quality and Safety), Professor

My work focuses on developing quality metrics for use in pediatrics, evaluating the impact of payment policies on health outcomes, preventing healthcare-associated infections, and conducting near real-time surveillance to monitor the safety of medical product use.


Bonnie Maldonado, MD

Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Diversity Stanford University School of Medicine Professor Interim Chair, Department of Medicine (beginning August 1, 2023)

Current Research and Scholarly Interests Yvonne (Bonnie) A. Maldonado, MD, is Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases.  She is the Taube Professor of Global Health and Infectious Diseases, and Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and of Epidemiology and Population Health at Stanford University School of Medicine. She is also the Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Diversity at the Stanford School of Medicine.  Dr. Maldonado attended Stanford University School of Medicine.  She was a Pediatric resident and fellow in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Johns Hopkins Hospital.  Dr. Maldonado then served in the Public Health Service in the Epidemiology Intelligence Service (EIS) for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where she was awarded the Alexander D. Langmuir Prize, named in honor of the founder of the EIS Program. She has led a number of NIH, CDC, USAID, Gates Foundation and WHO funded domestic and international pediatric vaccine studies, as well as studies in prevention and treatment of perinatal HIV infection in the US, India, Mexico and Africa. 

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic she has led over 10 clinical, vaccine, epidemiology and laboratory-based studies in this area and is involved in epidemiologic modeling at the University, state and national level.  She is the Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Society for Pediatric Research, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, and the American Public Health Association.  She is a liaison to the USPHS Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and previously a member of the Board of Scientific Counselors for the Office of Infectious Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and of the Board of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.  Dr. Maldonado has published over 250 peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals and is co-editor of the textbooks “Remington and Klein Infectious Diseases of the Fetus and Newborn Infant” and “Report of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases (Red Book)”.


Roshni Mathew, MD

Clinical Associate Professor

My research interests are around reduction of healthcare associated infections such as central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) and surgical site infections (SSI). This work involves collaboratively developing sustainable solutions within the institution and understanding trends across the United States. 



Sruti Nadimpalli, MD, MPH

Clinical Associate Professor

Current Research and Scholarly Interests  My research interests center around the diagnosis of pulmonary infections in immunocompromised children. I have a particular interest in the application of recently-developed, primarily molecular methods to bronchoalveolar lavage specimens in the diagnosis of these infections. Validation and refinement of these high-sensitivity methods carries implications for standardizing and improving the care of immunocompromised children, as well as optimizing infection-prevention and control strategies.


Trung Pham, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor

Current Research and Scholarly Interests


The immune system safeguards the health of complex organisms by rapidly eliminating invading pathogens, curbing infection-induced tissue disruptions, and maintaining tissue homeostasis. Many bacterial pathogens evade host antimicrobial mechanisms and persist in infected tissues at low levels for long periods of time even in the presence of innate and adaptive immune resistance. During persistent infection, the immune system simultaneously orchestrates antimicrobial responses to contain the pathogen, repairs damaged tissue, regulates nutrient resources, and maintains other tissue physiologic functions to ensure host survival. Failure of any of these tasks leads to uncontrolled infection, devastating disease, and even death. The goals of our research are to understand: 1) What are the innate and adaptive immune cellular mechanisms that contain pathogens during persistent infection?, 2) How are tissue physiological functions, such as tissue repair and nutrient regulation, maintained during persistent infection?, 3) How do pathogens survive innate and adaptive antimicrobial mechanisms in infected tissues?, 4)How does persistent infection impact host immunity to secondary infections of a similar or different pathogen? Through investigating these fundamental questions, we may be able to decode the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms that can be harnessed to eradicate infections and help restore health after an infectious attack.


Philip Pizzo, MD

Professor and Former Dean of the Stanford School of Medicine

Current Research and Scholarly Interests My contributions to science have spanned work in pediatric oncology, infectious diseases, immunology and also medical education and health policy. Some themes have included: 1) The Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Infectious Complications in Compromised Hosts: These studies provided the foundation for the management of infection in cancer patients and other compromised hosts and led to reductions in morbidity and mortality in cancer patients, helping to make modern cancer therapy feasible. 2) Pathogenesis and Treatment of HIV and AIDS in Children: This work helped define the pathogenesis of HIV infection in children, focusing particularly on immuno- and neuropathogensis. The work of my group at NCI led many of the early preclinical and clinical trials in pediatric AIDS and enabled four antiretroviral agents to proceed from IND to NDA. 3) Pediatric Oncology: My work has spanned a number of decades of advances in childhood cancer and is partly codified in my textbook Principles and Practice of Pediatric Oncology, the 7th edition of which will be published in late 2015. 4) Health Policy and Healthcare Deliver: I have led a number of policy studies including issues in healthcare reform, medical and graduate medical education as well as important healthcare issues like chronic pain and end-of-life care. 5) Midlife Career Transformation: I am now leading a new program at Stanford, the Distinguished Careers Institute that uses higher education to give individuals in midlife a renewed purpose along with community building and a recalibration of wellness so that they can improve the world. 


Charles Prober, MD

Professor, Founding Executive Director of the Stanford Center for Health Education and Senior Associate Vice Provost for Health Education

Current Research and Scholarly Interests My area of research interest is focused on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment of infections in children. Much of my research experience has focused on viral infections, especially those caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV). I have conducted a number of studies concerned with the epidemiology of HSV-2 infections in pregnant women, their partners, and neonates. Recently, I have extended these epidemiologic studies to adolescents. I have also conducted studies on the immunologic response to HSV infections, including humoral and cell mediated responses. Furthermore, I have participated in a number of studies evaluating optimal therapy of HSV infections in pregnant women and neonates and HSV vaccine protocols. My interest in antiviral therapy extends beyond HSV infections; I have been involved in a number of studies of therapy for respiratory viral and HIV infections. My interest in bacterial infections includes the evaluation of a number of antibacterial agents (Phase I-III studies). I also am interested in the evaluation and management of infections in compromised hosts including neonates, transplant and chemotherapy recipients. I also am interested in developing interventions to reduce the inappropriate utilization of antimicrobial agents in ambulatory and hospital environments. I am keenly interested in medical education at the undergraduate, medical school, residency, and fellowship level. My educational focus has centered on microbiology and infectious diseases and on the education of clinical research scientists.


Hayden Schwenk, MD

Clinical Associate Professor

In the face of rising rates of multidrug resistance, there has been a growing recognition that antimicrobial effectiveness must be regarded as a limited resource. As the Medical Director of the LPCH Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP), I am interested in identifying and implementing strategies that improve antimicrobial utilization at our institution. At present, our program has focused on the role of audit and feedback and how stewardship findings can be reported back to prescribers in a way that is most likely to ensure improvement in antimicrobial prescribing. I have a particular interest in immunocompromised populations and the ways in which evidence-based practice can be used to improve antimicrobial utilization in these patients. I also enjoy quality improvement work and am currently collaborating with perioperative services on efforts to improve surgical site infection rates at our hospital.


Talal Seddik, MD

Clinical Associate Professor

My research interests include studying risk factors of bloodstream infection in children who have intestinal insufficiency, antimicrobial stewardship, quality improvement, and natural history of rare infectious diseases including acute flaccid myelitis and neonatal enterovirus sepsis. 


Nivedita (Nita) Srinivas, MD

Clinical Associate Professor

My research interests focus on resident education and the training of future leaders within the field of Quality Improvement. I am currently the site lead for the ICAP (Improving Community Acquired Pneumonia management) quality improvement project through the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Value in Inpatient Pediatrics (VIP) Network. In addition, I have a strong interest in improving the management of other common pediatric infections such as bronchiolitis and urinary tract infections.


David Vu, MD

Clinical Associate Professor

Current Research and Scholarly Interests  My research interests center on molecular determinants of human immunity, in particular, to dengue virus. Dengue virus is estimated to infect up to 390 million people per year, and can cause symptoms ranging from fever, rash and bone and joint pain, to vascular leak leading to hypovolemic shock and death. There is no licensed vaccine, and our understanding of mechanisms of protection against developing dengue infection or disease is incomplete. Better understanding of human immune responses to dengue virus will aid in the development and evaluation of novel vaccines and/or therapeutics.