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Daniel Kelly Benjamin Jr.

Kiser-Arena Distinguished Professor
Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases
Duke Box 17969, Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC 27710
300 W Morgan St, Suite 800, Durham, NC 27701

Overview


Dr. Danny Benjamin is the Principal Investigator and Chair of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s Pediatric Trials Network. The Network is responsible for designing and leading clinical trials of off-patent medicines in children of all ages across all therapeutic areas. The team has established, or is actively studying, the correct dosing and safety of more than 100 of the most commonly used medicines in children. These trials are conducted under an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with guidance from the Food and Drug Administration for labeling.

The Pediatric Trials Network has directly impacted the healthcare of over 90% of American children.

Signature programs of the Network include clinical trials in premature, term infants, breast feeding mothers, and obese children. Over the past 10 years, Danny’s group has enrolled more premature infants, at more sites, in more clinical trials of off-patent anti-infectives under an IND than all other academic medical centers, pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies in the world, combined.

Danny is recognized by the National Institutes of Health as a premiere mentor and educator. His research program serves as a platform to train students and early career investigators. Danny’s group has a clinical research summer program for high school, college graduate school, and medical students that recruits and mentors ~30 students each academic year.  He has been the primary or secondary mentor for 10 faculty who have received career development awards and who have then gone on to establish their own independent research programs; six of whom are now Distinguished Professors.

Danny's service to the community is expressed through his passion for coaching baseball. He has coached over 1,000 recreation league, travel league, and scholastic baseball games. He is the head coach for Smith Middle School Baseball, perennially southern conference champions. Danny and his wife own a charitable non-profit that provides athletic and fitness opportunities for disadvantaged and special-needs school-aged boys and girls.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Kiser-Arena Distinguished Professor · 2014 - Present Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases, Pediatrics
Professor of Pediatrics · 2010 - Present Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases, Pediatrics
Deputy Director of Duke Clinical Research Institute · 2020 - Present Duke Clinical Research Institute, Institutes and Centers
Member in the Duke Clinical Research Institute · 2001 - Present Duke Clinical Research Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published September 16, 2022
No More Guessing on the Right Dosage for Children
Published September 16, 2022
No More Guessing on the Right Dosage for Children
Published March 10, 2022
Universal Masking in Schools is Shown to Reduce Spread of COVID-19

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Recent Publications


Trends in Gabapentin Use in Neonatal Intensive Care Units from 2005 to 2020.

Journal Article Am J Perinatol · June 2025 This study aimed to analyze trends in gabapentin use in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and examine demographic characteristics, diagnoses, and concomitant medications associated with its use.Cohort study of 987,181 infants hospitalized in the NICU f ... Full text Link to item Cite

Outcomes of Mothers and Infants Affected by COVID-19.

Journal Article Am J Perinatol · May 21, 2025 The long-term effects of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection during pregnancy are poorly characterized in mothers and their infants. The aim of this study was to assess the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of mothers and infan ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act Pediatric Trials Network

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2032

HEAL KIDS (Knowledge, Innovation and Discovery Studies) Pain Program Resource and Data Center

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2030

Real-world Data Enables Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Drug Dosing in Critically Ill Children

ResearchAdvisor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2029

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · 2003 Ph.D.
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · 2001 M.P.H.
University of Virginia · 1995 M.D.