Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research

Researchers in the Division of Infectious Diseases study a wide variety of disease processes with the goal of preventing infections as well as optimizing the care of patients who do develop infection. High-impact research in the division is conducted by faculty and fellows in a variety of areas ranging from bench science, translational and epidemiologic research, clinical trials, health policy, and public health. More information can be found on our research website.

Epidemiologic/clinical researchers and focus areas

Susan Coffin, MD: Healthcare-associated infections and pediatric influenza
Kevin Downes, MD: Adverse effects of antimicrobial use in children, acute kidney injury, management and treatment of common pediatric infectious diseases, antimicrobial clinical pharmacology, management and treatment of infectious diseases in solid organ transplant recipients. Lab website »
Brian Fisher, DO: Infections in immunocompromised children
Jeff Gerber, MD, PhD: Observational studies to determine the epidemiology and outcomes associated with antimicrobial use in children as well as interventions designed to improve antimicrobial use based on established guidelines
Andrew Steenhoff, MBBCh, DCH: Global health, tuberculosis, HIV, gastroenteritis

Basic/translational researchers and focus areas

Hamid Bassiri, MD, PhD: Cellular immunotherapy for cancer, Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell development and function, primary immunodeficiencies, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Lab website »
Audrey John, MD, PhD: Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite, with a particular interest in understanding its basic molecular and cellular biology and functions of its specific metabolic pathways. Lab website »
Paul Planet, MD, PhD: Microbial ecology and evolution, bacterial pathogenesis and virulence, microbiomics and genomics, phylogenetics, global spread of antimicrobial resistance, MRSA, infection in cystic fibrosis
Joseph St. Geme, MD: Bacterial pathogenesis, bacterial colonization, haemophilus influenzae virulence factors, kingella kingae virulence factors, meningitis, respiratory tract infections, osteoarticular infections. Lab website »
Michael Silverman, MD, PhD: How commensal microbes influence the development of the immune system and can be harnessed to prevent immune system dysfunction and invasive infection. Lab website »
Laura Vella, MD, PhD: Human immunology, T follicular helper cells, CD4 T cell responses to chronic infections. Lab website »

Fortifying the division's research program are the Pediatric Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Antibiotic Stewardship (IDEAS) Research Team, which operates within the Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness; robust programs in both basic and translational immunology and bacterial pathogenesis; strong collaboration with the Division of Oncology, with several faculty members holding joint appointments in both divisions; a leadership role in the Children's Oncology Group; strong clinical and research collaborations with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory; and close ties with the PennCHOP Microbiome Program at the University of Pennsylvania.