The Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases is engaged in basic, clinical and translational research.
Dr. Sallie Permar leads the Permar Lab, whose research focuses on the development of immunologic strategies to eliminate neonatal pathogens – with the ultimate goal of providing every child with a healthy start to life. The Permar Lab investigates the natural maternal and infant immune responses that contribute to impeding transmission of vertically transmitted viral pathogens, such as HIV, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Zika, and how these effective immune responses can best targeted by vaccine approaches. The team is engaged in developing and utilizing nonhuman primate models of vertical virus transmission to perform proof of concept studies to determine whether the vaccine approaches that target the naturally protective immune responses are effective. Further, they are focusing on both innate and adaptive immune responses at the maternal-fetal interface, including mucosal surfaces and the immunology of breast milk.
For more information: Permar Lab
Dr. Christine Salvatore has conducted bench to bedside translational research trying to establish the effectiveness of fungal biomarkers, in particular (1->3)-ß-D-glucan, in the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of invasive fungal infections in pediatrics. Studying the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of joint and bone infections in children is another of her interests. For more information, see Dr. Salvatore's VIVO page.
Dr. Genevieve Fouda is a Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. She also serves as the Assistant Dean for Faculty Development, focusing on the professional development of basic scientists, and the Director of the Ph.D. Scientist Development and Training in Pediatrics Program, where she helps shape the next generation of pediatric scientists in basic sciences and promotes wet bench research within the Department. Her research program focuses on understanding differences between the early life and the adult antibody response following natural infection and vaccination. She believes that a better understanding of these differences will guide the design of optimal immune-based interventions targeting pediatric populations. Dr. Fouda is also passionate about the diversity of the biomedical research community and is committed to mentoring talented young scientists from diverse backgrounds. For more information, see Dr. Fouda's VIVO page.
Dr. Ashley Nelson is an Assistant Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Nelson earned her Bachelor of Science in Forensic Biology at Virginia Commonwealth University. She decided to pursue a career in research, so went on to earn a Master of Science in Molecular Biology from Towson University. Subsequently, she earned a PhD in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health studying the immune response to measles infection and vaccination. Her PhD work contributed to our understanding on the mechanisms leading to long-term immunity following measles vaccination. For more information, see Dr. Nelson's VIVO page.
Dr. Ria Goswami is an Assistant Professor of Virology in the Department of Pediatrics- Division of Infectious Diseases at WCM. She is interested in the development of novel therapeutics to prevent mother-child transmission of vertically transmitted viruses, such as HIV and CMV. Her research focuses on the modulation of the gut microbiome in the prevention and cure of pediatric HIV infections. Additionally, Dr. Goswami is working towards the development of ex vivo models of the maternal-fetal interface for the assessment of newly developed antivirals. For more information, see Dr. Goswami's VIVO page.