In each of the many divisions of NYU Langone’s Department of Pediatrics, medical students can, as part of their MD degree, complete a scholarly concentration in basic, clinical, or translational research in pediatrics, as well as other related topics: global health, health disparities, advocacy, medical education, and quality outcomes and patient safety.

Students interested in combining both research and clinical activities may integrate them into the 12-week program or arrange a separate 4-week clinical rotation. Depending on the type of scholarly project chosen, students discuss how to configure their time with the proposed mentor.

Research and Scholarship Opportunities in Pediatrics

Available project topics are listed below, but students may also complete projects outside these areas. The department has identified one or more faculty members from each of the pediatrics divisions who can meet with students to discuss potential projects within their specialty.

If you are interested in a concentration in pediatrics, but would like more guidance in choosing an appropriate project or mentor, please reach out to Jon Farkas, MD, at Jon.Farkas@NYULangone.org and Sean M. Bailey, MD, at Sean.Bailey@NYULangone.org.

Clinical Genetics

John G. Pappas, MD
Topic: genetic disorders in children
Email: john.pappas@nyulangone.org

Contact Dr. Pappas to discuss potential projects in clinical genetics. Learn more about research in the Division of Clinical Genetics.

General Pediatrics and Developmental–Behavioral Pediatrics

Arthur H. Fierman, MD
Topics: general pediatrics, school health, immigrant health
Email: arthur.fierman@nyulangone.org

Gabrielle Gold-Von Simson, MD
Topics: drug development and clinical trials with the potential for students to spend time at pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer and enroll in related courses
Email: gabrielle.gold-vonsimson@nyulangone.org

Alan L. Mendelsohn, MD
Topics: parenting, home environment, early child development and school readiness
Email: alan.mendelsohn@nyulangone.org

Mary J. Messito, MD
Topic: obesity prevention
Email: mary.messito@nyulangone.org

Cynthia J. Osman, MD
Topics: advocacy and medical education
Email: cynthia.osman@nyulangone.org

Rebecca Rosenberg, MD, MPH
Topics: patient–family engagement, pediatric postoperative management, quality and safety
Email: rebecca.rosenberg@nyulangone.org

Suzy Tomopoulos, MD
Topic: impacts of media exposure on child development
Email: soultana.tomopoulos@nyulangone.org

Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP
Topics: environmental chemicals, childhood obesity, health economics, health policy
Email: leonardo.trasande@nyulangone.org

Shonna (Hsiang) Yin, MD, MS
Topics: health literacy, medication safety, chronic disease management
Email: hsiang.yin@nyulangone.org

Contact Dr. Yin to discuss potential projects in general pediatrics. Learn more about research in the Division of General Pediatrics.

Contact Dr. Mendelsohn to discuss to discuss potential projects in developmental–behavioral pediatrics. Learn more about research in the Division of Developmental–Behavioral Pediatrics.

Neonatology

Sean M. Bailey, MD
Topics: neonatal respiratory distress, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, inborn errors of metabolism, neonatal seizure, neonatal sepsis, hypoglycemia, premature birth
Email: sean.bailey@nyulangone.org

Contact Dr. Bailey to discuss potential projects in neonatology. Learn more about research in the Division of Neonatology.

Pediatric Cardiology

Puneet Bhatla, MD
Topic: advanced imaging in pediatric cardiology
Email: puneet.bhatla@nyulangone.org

Gillian L. Henry, MD
Topics: quality improvement, health-related quality of life, education
Email: gillian.henry@nyulangone.org

Achiau Ludomirsky, MD
Topic: imaging in congenital heart disease
Email: achiau.ludomirsky@nyulangone.org

Colin K. Phoon, MD
Topics: noninvasive imaging, fetal and pediatric echocardiography, mitochondrial biology in heart development, Barth syndrome, cardiology physiology and morphology in the developing heart, history of medicine
Email: colin.phoon@nyulangone.org

Contact Dr. Phoon to discuss potential projects in pediatric cardiology. Learn more about research in the Division of Pediatric Cardiology.

Pediatric Critical Care

Laura Santos, MD
Topics: chronic respiratory failure, kidney failure, congestive heart failure, hospital-acquired infection, acute respiratory distress, tetralogy of Fallot, chronic renal failure
Email: laura.santos@nyulangone.org

Contact Dr. Santos to discuss potential projects in pediatric critical care. Learn more about research in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care.

Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes

Preneet C. Brar, MD
Topics: insulin resistance and cardiovascular changes, vitamin D and insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, markers of insulin resistance and beta cell reserve
Email: preneet.brar@nyulangone.org

Bonita H. Franklin, MD
Topics: pediatric diabetes, cystic fibrosis–related diabetes, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance
Email: bonita.franklin@nyulangone.org

Mary Pat Gallagher, MD
Topics: pediatric diabetes in infants, children, and adolescents, and risk factors, diagnosis, and management of pediatric diabetes
Email: marypat.gallagher@nyulangone.org

Brenda Kohn, MD
Topics: neuroendocrinology and panhypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus, brown fat metabolism, cortisol metabolism
Email: brenda.kohn@nyulangone.org

Contact Jason A. Klein, MD, to discuss potential projects in pediatric endocrinology and diabetes. Learn more about research in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes.

Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Jeremiah Levine, MD
Topics: impact of gastroesophageal reflux and aspiration on airway inflammation and microbiome in children, environmental chemicals and the development of intestinal autoimmune disease
Email: jeremiah.levine@nyulangone.org

Contact Dr. Levine to discuss potential projects in pediatric gastroenterology and hepatology. Learn more about research in the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Pediatric Hematology–Oncology

Elizabeth A. Roman, MD
Topics: hemoglobinopathy, thalassemia, cytopenias, bone marrow failure, hemophilia, thrombosis
Email: elizabeth.roman3@nyulangone.org

Contact Dr. Roman to discuss potential projects in pediatric hematology–oncology. Learn more about research in the Division of Pediatric Hematology–Oncology.

Pediatric Infectious Disease

Gail F. Shust, MD
Topics: COVID-19 epidemiology, immunology, pathogenesis, outcome, and treatment; HIV pathogenesis, outcome, and treatment; congenital and perinatal infections; vaccine development; Zika virus; infections in transplant and other immunocompromised hosts; antibiotic stewardship; hospital-acquired infections
Email: gail.shust@nyulangone.org

Contact Dr. Shust to discuss potential projects in pediatric infectious disease. Learn more about research in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases.

Pediatric Nephrology

Laura Malaga-Dieguez, MD, PhD
Topics: prospective observational study of urinary biomarkers in Alport syndrome, prospective cohort study of patients with primary glomerular disease (part of the multicenter CureGN study)
Email: laura.malaga-dieguez@nyulangone.org

Contact Dr. Malaga-Dieguez to discuss potential projects in pediatric nephrology. Learn more about research in the Division of Pediatric Nephrology.

Pediatric Neurology

John T. Wells, MD
Topic: pediatric neurology disorders
Email: john.wells@nyulangone.org

Contact Dr. Wells to discuss potential projects in pediatric neurology.

Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine

Mikhail Kazachkov, MD
Topics: chronic cough in children and its relationship with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and aspiration, ethical issues related to medical care for neurologically impaired children with respiratory problems
Email: mikhail.kazachkov@nyulangone.org

Contact Dr. Kazachkov to discuss potential projects in pediatric pulmonary medicine. Learn more about research in the Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine.

Selecting a Concentration Mentor

Students interested in a specific topic listed above should contact the faculty member directly by email to request a meeting to discuss a suitable project. Students who would like more help in selecting a project can contact the designated faculty member for a specific division of interest. For more general guidance, email Dr. Shah at bina.shah@nyulangone.org.

Once learners select a mentor and a project, they complete the Concentration Project form with their mentor. The form, available from the Office of Medical Education, includes a brief description of the project and an attestation of mentoring commitment from the mentor. Once the form is completed and signed, it is then returned to the Office of Medical Education.

The Department of Pediatrics recommends that learners finalize their plans a minimum of one month before the start date of the concentration project. Please note that the mentor may require prerequisites, such as readings from the literature or online modules related to the project. During the concentration the student must also attend division meetings, journal clubs, seminars, and other departmental activities related to the project.

Concentration Assessment

The scholarly project must be completed by the end of the 12-week concentration period. Projects may include but are not limited to a research paper, literature review, oral presentation, position paper, or poster presentation.

Learners present their work to faculty and residents in the department during a Medical Student Pediatric Concentration Symposium in the spring before graduation. You must also upload a copy of your scholarly product to your e-portfolio and forward it to the Office of Medical Education as evidence of completing the concentration.

Grading of the concentration program is pass/fail. The mentor determines the grade after the final scholarly product is submitted. Scholarly products are due by March 31.