News | Page 15 | Pediatrics

New Clues To How Maternal Antibodies Can Protect Babies From Cytomegalovirus

July 26, 2022

This article was originally posted in the WCM Newsroom.

Antibodies that summon virus-engulfing white blood cells may play an important role in protecting infants from potentially serious congenital infection with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), according to a study led by an investigator at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian.

The study, which appeared June 28 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, was the most comprehensive analysis of its kind to date in HCMV research. The researchers examined antibodies in the blood of 81 mothers infected with HCMV, comparing the properties of the antibodies in mothers who had transmitted versus hadn’t transmitted HCMV to their infants. A key finding was that women in the non-transmission group tended to show higher levels of the white blood cell-summoning mechanism, known as antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis, against HCMV.

Dr. Melanie Wilson-Taylor Appointed Director of Pediatric Residency Program

July 14, 2022

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Melanie Wilson-Taylor M.D. as Director of Pediatric Residency Program as of August 8, 2022. In this new role, Dr. Wilson-Taylor will lead the pediatric residency program at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center working closely with the associate program directors, the chief residents, and department leadership.

Dr. Wilson-Taylor is an assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine and an assistant attending pediatrician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, and previously the associate pediatric residency director at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Scientists Identify a Key Molecular Protector of Gut Health

July 13, 2022

This article was originally published in WCM Newsroom.

A protein called Zbtb46, expressed by specialized immune cells, has a major role in protecting the gastrointestinal tract from excessive inflammation, according to a study from researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine.

The finding, which appears July 13 in Nature, is a significant advance in the understanding of how the gut maintains health and regulates inflammation, which could lead to better strategies for treating diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Department Awards Celebration

June 30, 2022

The Department of Pediatrics Awards Celebration was held on June 22nd to recognize honorees for their dedication and commitment to advancing children's healthcare across various aspects of the department, including administration, patient care, education, and research. Individuals were nominated by leadership and peers, with recipients selected by award committee.

Thank you, Dr. Cunniff

June 23, 2022

Dr. Christoper Cunniff is retiring as Chief of the Division of Medical Genetics at Weill Cornell Medicine this week.

Dr. Christopher Cunniff’s inspired leadership of the Division of Medical Genetics significantly expanded the institute's clinical pediatric genetics services, allowing for greater access and improved outcomes for children and adults with rare diseases. His longstanding dedication in growing the Bloom Syndrome Registry has made significant contributions to the body of scientific knowledge about the rare condition and improved the medical care and quality of life for individuals with Bloom Syndrome. Through his dedication to medical education, as both Program Director for the Medical Genetics Residency and Unit Leader/Lecturer for first year medical students, Dr. Cunniff has impacted a generation of physicians and physician-scientists. His leadership and friendship will be missed. Thank you, Dr. Cunniff.

Maria Lame, MD and Oyinkan Marquis, MD Named Diversity Center of Excellence 2019 Faculty Scholars in Health Equity

June 9, 2022

Maria Lame, MD and Oyinkan Marquis, MD were named Diversity Center of Excellence (DCoE) 2019 Faculty Scholars in Health Equity. This initiative, which is a health equity education training program, was launched in Fall 2019 by the Cornell Center for Health Equity (CCHEq) and DCoE. For more information about the Faculty Scholars in Health Equity Program, visit the DCoE website.

Weill Cornell Medicine Unveils Paintings of Four Diversity Leaders

June 9, 2022

Members of the Weill Cornell Medicine community gathered on Oct. 25 in Griffis Faculty Club to celebrate the unveiling of a set of paintings depicting four icons of diversity and inclusion efforts at the institution. Dr. Daniel Laroche, M.D. ’92, his wife Marjorie Laroche and his cousin Marie Claude Brutus commissioned the paintings from the Haitian artist Junior Jacques to recognize the seminal contributions of Drs. James Curtis, Elizabeth Wilson-Anstey, Bruce Ballard, and Carlyle Miller, M.D. ’75 to Weill Cornell Medicine’s efforts to attract and retain underrepresented minorities in medicine. See full story

Department Climate Survey

June 9, 2022

The Department of Pediatrics is inviting all faculty to participate in its latest diversity climate survey, which will assist the Department in measuring progress over time.

LINK: Complete the Diversity Climate Survey

Dr. Genevieve Fouda, Assistant Dean for Faculty Development, Joins the Department of Pediatrics

June 2, 2022

We are also pleased to announce the arrival of Genevieve Giny Fouda, M.D., Ph.D., to the Department of Pediatrics and Weill Cornell Medicine, effective July 1, 2022. Dr. Fouda will serve as Assistant Dean for Faculty Development, focusing on the professional development of basic scientists, and Director of the PhD Scientist Development and Training in Pediatrics Program, where she will help shape the next generation of pediatric scientists in basic sciences and promote wet bench research within the Department. Dr. Fouda will join the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases as a Professor of Pediatrics and provide mentorship to junior scientists and physicians involved in laboratory-based research.

Dr. Fouda’s research focuses on antibody responses to viral pathogens in children in comparison to adults following natural infection and vaccination. She is especially interested in investigating how the unique characteristics of the early life immune system can be harnessed to develop immunization strategies tailored to pediatric settings. Her research program is funded through several NIH grant mechanisms, including several R01s. She is also involved in collaborative projects to investigate pediatric HIV vaccine candidates and immune-based strategies toward a pediatric HIV cure.

Dr. Katharina Graw-Panzer Appointed Medical Director of the Pediatric Sleep Center at Weill Cornell Medicine

June 1, 2022

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Katharina Graw-Panzer on her appointment as Medical Director of the Pediatric Sleep Center at Weill Cornell Medicine, effective June 1, 2022. As Medical Director, Dr. Graw-Panzer will lead and direct the Pediatric Sleep Center’s clinical and research activities. She will work closely with the division administrator to expand patient access while reviewing and improving operational efficiency and financial sustainability.

The Pediatric Sleep Center includes a dedicated Pediatric Sleep lab on 61st street offering in and outpatient polysomnography. Outpatient consultations are provided for sleep disordered breathing, behavioral sleep disorders and CPAP adherence. Recently, Dr. Graw-Panzer expanded consultative services to NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist and opened the NYP Kids Multidisciplinary Sleep Center in collaboration with the Department of Pediatrics at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.