Overview
My research has focused on the epidemiology, risk factors, and prevention of the pulmonary and central nervous system complications of sickle cell disease and includes retrospective and prospective cohort studies and clinical trials. I received my Ph.D. in clinical investigation from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health for a series of studies to identify predictors of cognitive function in children with sickle cell disease. This work has expanded to the evaluation of the interaction between environment and disease in both children and adults and the functional evaluation of adults with sickle cell disease. My other research interests include the application of large clinical, research, and administrative databases to the study of rare hematological diseases and interventions to improve quality of and access to care for sickle cell disease. I serve on the American Society of Hematology Sickle Cell Taskforce and Sickle Cell Pain Guideline Panel and am co-chair of the American Society of Hematology Healthcare Professional Education and Training Work Group.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Recent Publications
Implementing ASH's guidelines for acute medical care for incarcerated children and adults with sickle cell disease.
Journal Article Blood Adv · June 10, 2025 Between 2019 and 2021, the American Society of Hematology (ASH) developed clinical guidelines for managing sickle cell disease (SCD), covering acute pain, acute neurological events, and other complications. However, these guidelines lacked implementation s ... Full text Link to item CiteRedefining High Emergency Department Utilization for Sickle Cell Disease.
Journal Article JAMA Netw Open · June 2, 2025 IMPORTANCE: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a complex hemoglobinopathy. Vaso-occlusive episodes are the primary cause of emergency department (ED) utilization among individuals with SCD. Literature lacks a standardized definition for high ED utilization. OBJE ... Full text Link to item CiteWhat's Best? Transformative Therapies for Adults with Sickle Cell Disease.
Journal Article Transplant Cell Ther · May 2025 Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Achieving Understanding of the Natural history of sickle cell Trait (AUNT)
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Alliance for Sickle Cell Centers · 2024 - 2026Hematology & Transfusion Medicine (T32)
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1975 - 2026NC DHHS Sickle Cell Contract
Public ServicePrincipal Investigator · Awarded by NC DHHS · 1999 - 2026View All Grants