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Maryellen Kelly

Maryellen Kelly

Associate Research Professor in the School of Nursing
School of Nursing
maryellen.kelly@duke.edu
307 Trent Drive, Box 3322 DUMC, Durham, NC 27710
Office hours By appointment  

Overview

Dr Kelly is a doctorally prepared pediatric Nurse Practitioner clinically practicing in pediatric urology since 2010. Dr Kelly has her Masters in Health Sciences-clinical research from Duke University, Masters of Science- Nursing from Columbia University and her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr Kelly has a faculty appointment in the School of Nursing at Duke University. She works closely with the Spina Bifida Association of America to research and advocate for individuals with spina bifida. Her research is focused on the urinary microbiome of the pediatric population and its evolution throughout life and the management of neurogenic bladder and bowel.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Associate Research Professor in the School of Nursing · 2025 - Present School of Nursing

Recent Publications

Bowel continence in adult individuals with spina bifida: Who takes ownership of care?

Journal Article Journal of pediatric urology · June 2026 IntroductionNeurogenic bowel dysfunction is a significant health and quality-of-life concern for individuals with spina bifida. To date, little is known about how these individuals manage continence issues once they reach independence in adulthood ... Full text Cite

Unmasking pathogen traits for chronic colonization in neurogenic bladder.

Journal Article Cell reports · April 2026 Individuals with neurogenic bladder are susceptible to chronic bacterial colonization and urinary tract infections. Neurogenic bladder arises from conditions including spinal cord injuries and spina bifida. We established a longitudinal cohort of 77 childr ... Full text Cite

Unmasking Pathogen Traits for Chronic Colonization in Neurogenic Bladder Patients.

Journal Article bioRxiv · August 14, 2025 Individuals with neurogenic bladder are particularly susceptible to both chronic bacterial colonization of the bladder and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Neurogenic bladder can arise from a variety of diseases such as diabetes, spinal cord injuries, and ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants

Bowel Continence Across the Lifespan in Spina bifida (BCALS)

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago · 2025 - 2030

National Spina Bifida Patient Registry and Urologic Management of Young Children with Spina Bifida - Component B

ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · 2019 - 2026

PTN 2.0 TO #10: Positron-C

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2021 - 2026

View All Grants

Education

Duke University · 2020 M.H.S.
University of Pittsburgh · 2013 D.N.P.
Columbia University · 2010 M.S.N.
Columbia University · 2008 B.S.N.
Fairfield University · 2006 B.S.