Research Interests
As a pediatrician with specialty training in infectious diseases and global health, my career goal is to develop strategies that use targeted manipulation of the microbiome for the prevention and treatment of infections in children. My current research focuses on elucidating the complex relationships that exist between sociodemographic factors, the upper respiratory microbiome, and colonization by pneumonia pathogens among infants in Botswana. Ultimately, we aim to develop microbiome therapeutics that effectively prevent pneumonia and other respiratory infections in children.
Selected Grants
The impact of the oral microbiome on pulmonary function among people with HIV in Botswana
ResearchCo-Mentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029Clinical and host microbiome features in the development of acute otitis media
ResearchCo-Mentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2023 - 2028US Platform to Measure Effectiveness of Seasonal Influenza, COVID-19 and other Respiratory Virus Vaccines for the Prevention of Acute Illness in Ambulatory Settings
ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · 2022 - 2027Duke Center for Advancement of Child Health (CAtCH).
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2021 - 2026Early life B cell responses and inflammation following SARS-CoV-2 infection
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Weill Cornell Medicine · 2022 - 2025The impact of the oral microbiome on pulmonary function among people with HIV in Botswana
ResearchCo-Mentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029Clinical and host microbiome features in the development of acute otitis media
ResearchCo-Mentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2023 - 2028US Platform to Measure Effectiveness of Seasonal Influenza, COVID-19 and other Respiratory Virus Vaccines for the Prevention of Acute Illness in Ambulatory Settings
ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · 2022 - 2027Duke Center for Advancement of Child Health (CAtCH).
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2021 - 2026Early life B cell responses and inflammation following SARS-CoV-2 infection
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Weill Cornell Medicine · 2022 - 2025Host-microbe interactions and SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and symptoms in a novel human challenge model
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2023 - 2025Host-microbe interactions in a novel SARS-CoV-2 human challenge model
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by American Lung Association · 2023 - 2025Genetic and Genomics Training Grant
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2020 - 2025The effect of household air pollution on the health outcomes of infants in Botswana
ResearchMentor · Awarded by Thrasher Research Fund · 2018 - 2024Unified Program for Therapeutics in Children
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2019 - 2024Rational identification of Corynebacterium strains for use as probiotics
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago · 2022 - 2024Gene expression profiling of children with SARS-CoV-2 infection or exposure
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Merck & Co., Inc. · 2021 - 2023PTN 2.0 Task Order 7 HIV Lactation
Clinical TrialCo Investigator · Awarded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2020 - 2023Clinical and gut microbial risk factors for Gram-negative bacterial late-onset sepsis among premature infants in Singapore
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by KK Women's and Children's Hospital · 2020 - 2023The serotype epidemiology and antibiotic resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Botswana following introduction of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Merck · 2019 - 2023Postdoctoral Training in Genomic Medicine Research
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2017 - 2023Nasopharyngeal Microbiome and Risk of Bacterial Pathogen Colonization in Infants
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2018 - 2023A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Efficacy of a Single Infusion of Bezlotoxumab (MK-6072, Human Monoclonal Antibody to C. difficile Toxin B) in Children Aged 1 to
Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Merck Sharp & Dohme · 2018 - 2022Early life B cell responses and inflammation following SARS-CoV-2 infection
ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2021 - 2022An Observational Cohort Study to Determine Late Outcomes and Immunological Responses after Infection with SARS-CoV-2 in Children with and without Multisystem InflammatorySyndrome (MIS-C)
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Cornell University · 2021 - 2022LOC-IMPAACT Leadership Group-IMPAACT 2018 Protocol Co-Vice Chair
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Johns Hopkins University · 2017 - 2021The impact of HIV infection or exposure on the upper respiratory microbiome of children in Botswana
FellowshipMentor · Awarded by Vanderbilt University Medical Center · 2019 - 2021VTEU Task C Option 2 Protocol 14-0079.B1C1.0028
ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2017 - 2021A Phase 1b, Open-label Single dose study to Evaluate the Pharmacokinetics, Safety and Tolerability of MK-7655A in Pediatric Subjects from Birth to less than 18 years of Age with Confirmed or Suspected Gramnegative Infections
Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Merck Sharp & Dohme · 2017 - 2020Fungal biomarkers for diagnosis and response to therapy for pediatric candidemia
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Duke University · 2016 - 2020LOC-IMPAACT Leadership Group-IMPAACT 2018 Protocol Vice Chair support
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Johns Hopkins University · 2017 - 2018RFTP 2016 CISA 03 - Option 1 - Fever after Simultaneous Vaccination (Lead)
ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · 2017 - 2018American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
FellowshipPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Burroughs Wellcome Fund · 2016 - 2018Multi-center studies to improve diagnosis and treatment of pediatric candidiasis
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Duke University · 2016 - 2018VTEU Task C Option 1 Protocol 14-0079.B1C1.0028
ResearchFellow · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2016 - 2018RFTP 2016 CISA 03 - Base - Fever after simultaneous vaccination (Lead)
ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · 2016 - 2017VTEU Task B Base Protocol 14-0079.B1C1.0028
ResearchFellow · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2015 - 2016The Effect of In Utero Exposure to HIV and Antiretroviral Therapy on the Microbiology and Outcomes of Severe Pneumonia
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by International AIDS Society · 2013 - 2016External Relationships
- Invivyd
- Merck Sharpe & Dohme (Merck & Co, USA)
This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies, institutions, or organizations listed above. This information is available to institutional leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.