Marshall Klaus Perinatal Research Awards

2008 Klaus Awardees' Research Projects

Klaus Awards 2009

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Section on Perinatal Pediatrics, and Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute initiated the Marshall Klaus Perinatal Research Awards with the goal of enhancing and supporting development of research skills among physicians training in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. These awards provide partial support intended to assist fellows in initiating or completing research projects. Grants of $5,000/year are available.

Katherine Bennett, MD - University of Texas/Southwestern
Mentor: Margaret Schwarz, MD

"The role of ephrin B2 reverse signaling in lung morphogenesis."

This is an in vivo study using transgenic mice, which have reverse signaling for Efnb2 (known to disrupt alveolar development). Although Efnb2 has been shown to be important in arterial morphogensis in the heart, little is known about its role in the developing lung. It appears that Efnb2 has a role in distal epithelial cell differentiation of alveolar type 1 cells. The study will determine the temporal-spatial distribution of Efnb2 during lung development, the role of reverse Efnb2 signaling has on distal alveolar cell formation, and the role on branching during development.

Azadeh Farzin, MD - University of California/Los Angeles
Mentor: Yvonne Bryson, MD

"Role of amniotic fluid and vernix in intrauterine HIV transmission"

Driving hypothesis of this project is that amniotic fluid and vernix play an active and protective role in transmission of HIV in utero. Understanding events that transpire in utero which result in HIV infection of the baby, as well as natural immune mechanisms that reduce infectivity of the fetus, may ultimately lead to interventions that can reduce in utero transmission of HIV. We will collect and analyze various perinatal samples for presence and genetic relatedness of HIV strains, in particular to delineate the role of amniotic fluid in in utero transmission of HIV.

"I completed the majority of my training in Ohio, including my Pediatric residency, at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. I am a third year fellow with an interest in public health and global health. My primary interest is a focus on perinatal infections as a major cause of global neonatal morbidity and mortality. Over the past two years, I have worked under the supervision of Dr. Yvonne Bryson (Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases), evaluating the role of amniotic fluid and vernix in in utero transmission of HIV. We hypothesize that contamination of amniotic fluid may contribute to in utero transmission of HIV and that the presence of antimicrobial peptide in amniotic fluid and vernix may reduce the risk of transmission. This research may have great relevance for prevention of in utero transmission of HIV and potentially other congenital infections such as CMV and herpes.

I will also be starting my MPH through the distance learning program at Johns Hopkins this summer. My goal is to secure an academic position upon completion of my fellowship and to divide my time between clinical work with an emphasis on prevention and research focusing on neonatal innate immunity."

Erin Plosa, MD - Vanderbilt University
Mentor: Lawrence Prince, MD, PhD

"Transcriptional regulation of FGF-10 expression by inflammatory signals."

My project examines arrested lung development leading to bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Inflammatory signaling inhibits the expression of FGF-10, a growth factor required for branching morphogenesis in the lung. Inflammatory signaling interferes with the normal transcriptional regulation of FGF-10. We are studying the molecular components of this effect of inflammation and NF-KB activation on FGF-10 promoter activity.

Erin Plosa, MD, is currently a second year Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine fellow at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville, TN. During her fellowship, she has worked on a project that examines the mechanism behind arrested lung development in bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In particular, she is studying how inflammatory signaling inhibits the expression of fibroblast growth factor-10 (FGF-10), a growth factor required for branching morphogenesis of the lung.

Prior to fellowship, Erin completed her Pediatrics Residency at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville, TN, after receiving her MD at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Glenn, and daughter, Loren.

How to apply for the 2010 Marshall Klaus Research Awards»

2010 Marshall Klaus Research Award application»

2008 Marshall Klaus Research Awardees»