More than 200 faculty, trainees, research staff and collaborators gathered on October 29 for the 3rd annual Pediatric Research Day, hosted by the Department of Pediatrics (DOP), Colorado Child Health Research Institute (CCHRI) and Adult & Child Center for Outcomes Research & Delivery Science (ACCORDS). The event showcased the breadth of pediatric research across CU Anschutz while exploring one of the most transformative forces in science today: artificial intelligence.
The afternoon brought together researchers from across disciplines for scientific exchange, collaboration and recognition of excellence in child health research, kicking off with a poster session showcasing investigators’ work from across campus.
Exploring AI's Opportunities and Challenges
The program opened with remarks from Raphe Schwartz, chief strategy officer at Children's Hospital Colorado; Ron Sokol, MD, FAASLD, chief scientific officer for child health; and Jerica M. Berge, PhD, MPH, LMFT, CFLE, director of ACCORDS, who highlighted the power of collaboration in advancing discoveries that improve the lives of children and families.
The keynote address, “Pediatric Research in the Age of AI: New Tools, Old Ethical Questions,” was delivered by Matthew DeCamp, MD, PhD, a physician, bioethicist and social scientist whose work focuses on the intersection of health care, policy and ethics. Introduced by Stephen R. Daniels, MD, PhD, chair of the Department of Pediatrics, DeCamp challenged attendees to think critically about how emerging technologies can be harnessed responsibly to improve research and patient care.
The focus on artificial intelligence continued with an expert panel discussion, “Using AI in Pediatric Research,” moderated by Charles Sagerström, PhD. Panelists including Tell Bennett, MD, MS, Nichole Carlson, PhD, Jayashree Kalpathy-Cramer, PhD, MS, and Janani Ravi, PhD, discussed the promise of AI-driven discovery, practical applications in research, and considerations for ensuring ethical and equitable implementation.
Special Mission Moment
“Bearing Witness: The Bow Tie Tapestries of Steve Berman, MD,” offered participants an opportunity to reflect on the legacy and impact of one of pediatrics’ most influential leaders. Facilitated by Jamie Feinstein, MD, MPH, the presentation highlighted the power of storytelling, service and mentorship in shaping the future of child health.
Showcasing Emerging Research Talent
A highlight of the afternoon was a series of Flash Talks featuring fellows, postdoctoral scholars and research professionals presenting innovative projects spanning developmental biology, critical care medicine, neurology, gastroenterology, surgery and movement sciences, reflecting the depth and diversity of research taking place across the CU Anschutz community. Presentations included:
- Katie Ranard, PhD, Postdoc Fellow, Section of Developmental Biology, DOP | “Maternal Omega-3 Fatty Acid Status Shapes the Offspring Neuroimmune Landscape in a Zebrafish Model”
- Sweta Adhikary Pradhan, MD, PhD, Fellow, Section of Critical Care Medicine, DOP | “In Utero Morphine Exposure Augments Opioid Receptor Sensitivity in Offsprings”
- Sudiksha Rathan Kumar, PhD, Postdoc Fellow, Section of Child Neurology, DOP | “iPSC Models to Understand and Treat Rare Pediatric Neurological Conditions”
- Julia Sessions, MD, Fellow, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, DOP | “Single Center Impact of Trainee on Unseated Transnasal Endoscopy”
- Ali Teimouri, MBA, Research Associate, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery | “Childhood Doxorubicin Exposure and Long-Term Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction: Translational Evidence from Human and Preclinical Studies”
- Emily Ernest, MD, Fellow, Section of Critical Care Medicine, DOP | “Soluble TNF Receptor-1 and Ang-2/Ang-1 Are Associated with AKI Severity in Pediatric Sepsis”
- Kelsey Ryan, MD, Fellow, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, DOP | “Influence of Diet and the Gut Microbiome on Clostridioides Difficile Infection Risk in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies”
- Lanna Klausing, MS, Research Service Professional, Musculoskeletal Research Center and Center for Gait and Movement Analysis, Department of Orthopedics | “Markerless Motion Capture Validation During Routine Clinical Gait Assessments in Children with Cerebral Palsy”
Honoring Research Excellence
The event also recognized investigators, mentors and staff members whose contributions are advancing pediatric science and strengthening the research community. Award recipients included:
- Early-Stage Investigator Award: Julia Boster, MD, MSCS, Assistant Professor, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, DOP
- Research Mentor Award: Melanie Cree, MD, PhD, Professor, Section of Endocrinology, DOP, Director, Multi-disciplinary PMOS Clinic, Children's Hospital Colorado
- Research Staff Awards: Gonzalo Lerner, MS, Research Affiliate, Section of Emergency Medicine and Becky O'Rourke, MS, Bioinformatician, Section of Developmental Biology, DOP
- Outstanding Publication Award: Christian Mosimann, PhD, MSc, Professor and The Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Chair for the Cardiac Research Director, Section of Developmental Biology, DOP
Following the awards presentation, Mosimann shared his award-winning research during a presentation titled “Housing the Heart: From Pericardium Development to Pediatric Heart Disease,” highlighting discoveries that are deepening our understanding of heart development and pediatric cardiac disease.
As attendance continues to grow, Pediatric Research Day has become a signature event for celebrating discovery, fostering new collaborations and highlighting the researchers whose work is shaping the future of child health. This year's record turnout reflected the continued momentum of pediatric research across CU Anschutz and Children's Hospital Colorado.
