News | Pediatrics

May 13, 2026

The Weill Cornell Medicine Department of Pediatrics and the Drukier Institute for Children’s Health successfully hosted the 5th Annual Pediatric Research Day on May 12, 2026, bringing together an inspiring community of clinicians, scientists, trainees, and collaborators to celebrate innovation and discovery in pediatric medicine.

The event highlighted the breadth, quality, and impact of pediatric research conducted across affiliated departments and institutions. Faculty members, fellows, residents, graduate students, postdoctoral trainees, medical students, and interdisciplinary collaborators showcased groundbreaking work spanning clinical care, translational science, population health, and basic research.

A special highlight of this year’s milestone event was the presentation of scholarly work by graduating fellows and senior residents, whose dedication and accomplishments reflect the strength of the department’s commitment to academic excellence, mentorship, and advancing child health. Their presentations demonstrated both scientific rigor and a shared passion for improving outcomes for children and families.

Pediatrics Team Shines at Annual Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting in Boston

May 6, 2026

Our Department of Pediatrics participated in the 9th annual Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts on April 24–27, 2026. This premier international gathering unites thousands of pediatricians, researchers, academics, and clinicians with a shared mission: improving the health and well-being of children worldwide. The conference featured presentations spanning general pediatric care as well as a wide range of specialty and subspecialty areas.

Our team actively contributed across a range of sessions. Dr. Camilla Martin chaired the panel Neonatal Nutrition: Progress, Gaps, and the Road Ahead, while Dr. Sallie Permar presented on Compositional Optimization of Mother’s Own Milk – Maternal Interventions. Dr. Theresa Scott led the workshop Applicant vs. Algorithm: A Mock Trial on the Use of AI in Recruitment for Pediatrics, and Dr. Theresa Hetzler guided attendees through Assessing Learners in Ambulatory Experiences: A Revolution in Your Thinking. Dr. Susan Bostwick led Cultivating Connections: Enhancing Your Interpersonal Effectiveness to Achieve Your Goals.

T Cells Secrete DNA to Boost the Immune System’s Cancer-Fighting Ability

April 30, 2026

Activated immune cells secrete tiny capsules bearing DNA that can enter other immune and tumor cells to stimulate the body’s defense systems, according to a study led by investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine. The discovery extends the scientific understanding of the immune system, identifies a new strategy for boosting immunity against cancers and potentially offers a new tool for delivering genetic payloads to other cells.

Dr. David Lyden. Credit: Ashley Jones

Dr. Sallie Permar Represents PSTP at the "From Training to Residency" Luncheon

April 20, 2026

Dr. Sallie Permar represented the Weill Cornell Pediatric Physician-Scientist Training Program (PSTP) at the “From Training to Residency” Luncheon during the AAP/ASCI/APSA 2026 Joint Meeting which she attended with a group of Weill Cornell medical students. Weill Cornell PSTP prepares future leaders in pediatric research through an integrated research pathway combining rigorous clinical training at NewYork‑Presbyterian with world‑class basic and translational science mentorship across the Tri‑Institutional community of Weill Cornell Medicine, Memorial Sloan Cancer Center, the Rockefeller University, and other partnering institutions. Read more here!

Reimagining Medicaid to Safeguard America’s Children

April 10, 2026

As states reassess Medicaid coverage following recent federal policy changes and the end of pandemic-era protections, researchers are advocating for evidence-based health care policy reform and expanded Medicaid coverage for children. Weill Cornell Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics, the Cornell Health Policy Center (CHPC) and Ariadne Labs are collaborating to launch the Era of the Child Initiative, which supports the design and implementation of effective policies to improve U.S. children’s health.

“We have joined forces because as a country we haven’t prioritized children’s health and the pediatric health care workforce enough,” said Dr. Robert A. Harrington, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine. “U.S. children face rising rates of chronic conditions like obesity and diabetes, mental health issues and fatal injuries, and they have nearly double the death rate of children in other high-income countries.”

Dr. David Lyden Honored with Prestigious AACR–Princess Takamatsu Memorial Lectureship

April 10, 2026

Dr. David Lyden, the Stavros S. Niarchos Professor in Pediatric Cardiology and a pediatric neuro-oncologist, has been honored with the AACR–Princess Takamatsu Memorial Lectureship from the American Association for Cancer Research, recognizing his transformative contributions to cancer research.

The award, supported by the Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund, recognizes scientists whose innovative and groundbreaking research has demonstrated a far-reaching impact on the detection, diagnosis, treatment or prevention of cancer. Dr. Lyden will deliver the lecture, titled “Extracellular vesicles and particles drive the systemic complications of cancer,” April 19 during AACR’s annual meeting in San Diego.

“I am humbled to receive this prestigious award highlighting the legacy of Princess Takamatsu and thankful for the support by the Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund and AACR,” said Dr. Lyden. “The lectureship will offer the opportunity to highlight our work on the impact of extracellular vesicles on the systemic effects of cancer.”

Support New York State Biomedical Research Funding

March 24, 2026

With state budget negotiations concluding April 1, researchers across New York are urging Albany leaders to invest in biomedical research, an effort led by the Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY). We encourage you to contact Governor Hochul, your State Assembly member, and State Senator to voice your support (click the hyperlinks to find who represents you). Sample script is below, and reach out to Dan Pollay at dcp2003@med.cornell.edu if you have any questions.

How One Flu Virus Can Hamper the Immune Response to Another

March 11, 2026

Prior exposure to one strain of influenza virus may weaken children’s ability to mount an effective antibody response against their subsequent exposure to a different flu strain, according to a study led by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators. The analysis of the pediatric response to H3N2 and H1N1 influenza A viruses, two of the most common causes of flu, provides insight into the concept of “immune imprinting,” and supports the idea that childhood vaccination, if properly designed, may be able to mitigate its adverse effects.

Immune imprinting, first described in 1960, refers to a long-term bias or skew in the immune response that a first viral exposure can introduce, with potentially serious impairment of subsequent responses to closely related viruses. Imprinting has been difficult to research and is far from being well understood. However, in the study, published March 11 in Nature, the researchers were able to analyze antibodies from participants, including children 2 to 6 years old who had their sequential first exposures to the two types of influenza A viruses circulating in humans. They determined that following an initial H3N2 exposure, antibodies generated that could bind both H3N2 and H1N1 were ineffective at stopping most H1N1 strains.

Podcast with Dr. Adriana Perez on Biliary Atresia

February 25, 2026

In this episode of Kids Health Cast, Drs. Angela Kadenhe-Chiweshe and Adriana Perez discuss biliary atresia, a serious life-threatening liver disease that affects approximately one in 10,000 children. The doctors discuss the symptoms to look out for in newborns and why timely diagnosis is crucial. The panelists highlight the significance of the Kasai procedure as an intervention for improving a child's quality of life. They also provide helpful guidance to parents how they can navigate this challenging condition early in their infant's life.

Every parent wants what’s best for their children — but in the age of the internet, it can be difficult to navigate what is actually fact-based or pure speculation.

Cut through the noise with Kids Health Cast, featuring Weill Cornell Medicine’s expert physicians and researchers discussing a wide range of health topics, providing information on the latest medical science. Finally, a podcast to help you make informed choices for your family’s health and wellness.

Listen HERE!

Honoring the Passing of Dr. Jessica Davis

February 24, 2026

We recently learned the sad news that pioneering geneticist Dr. Jessica Davis passed away peacefully at her home last week. She served as Division Chief of Medical Genetics at Weill Cornell for over 20 years in the 1980s. As someone who was known for building bridges and fostering collaboration, during her tenure at Weill Cornell she “crossed the street” to participate in teaching conferences and beyond at Hospital for Special Surgery. In 2003 she co-founded the Kathryn O. and Alan C. Greenberg Center for Skeletal Dysplasias at HSS, where she worked until her retirement in 2023.

Dr. Davis was a Brooklyn native who graduated from Wellesley College and followed in her father’s footsteps to pursue a career in medicine. After earning her medical degree from Columbia University, she was among the first generation of clinicians who combined genetics and compassionate care of disabled children. By all accounts, she was a skilled and caring teacher and mentor. Before coming to Weill Cornell, she began her career at Albert Einstein College of Medicine Hospital and North Shore University Hospital on Long Island. She served as a leader in multiple organizations supporting students, physicians, genetic counselors, and other allied healthcare professionals over the years. Dr. Jessica Davis was a pioneer in clinical genetics who was instrumental in building the foundation of genetics today.