Research efforts within the Department of Pediatrics encompass a broad range of topics and subspecialties, with our overall goal to improve care for kids. Through basic science, translational and clinical studies, and with more than $12 million in annual sponsored support, we are making discoveries that improve the understanding and treatment of childhood diseases both inside and outside the walls of our hospital.

Explore the innovative research at CHoR

The Department of Pediatrics/Children's Hospital of Richmond and Bon Secours Richmond have created a joint recruitment process to enhance access to clinical trials across health systems. Contact us for help applying this model to other hospital partnerships.

Child Health Research Institute

The mission of the Child Health Research Institute at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU is to ask and answer critical research questions that will lead to improved health and a better future for our children.

To enhance cross-disciplinary collaborations and foster innovative investigations, we have established four research focus areas:

  • Emergency care/intensive care/cardiac/pulmonary
  • Health equity
  • Neurosciences
  • Translational and personalized medicine
Learn more about the Child's Health Institute

Research Faculty

Jennifer Accardo, M.D.

Jennifer Accardo, M.D.

Developmental Pediatrics

Jennifer Accardo, M.D.

Jennifer Accardo, M.D.

Developmental Pediatrics

Pediatrics, Neurology

Associate Professor

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Jennifer Accardo, M.D. at CHoR

Frances Austin, M.D.

Frances Austin, M.D.

Hematology and Oncology

Frances Austin, M.D.

Frances Austin, M.D.

Hematology and Oncology

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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Frances Austin, M.D. at CHoR

Jesse Bain, D.O.

Jesse Bain, D.O.

Critical Care

Jesse Bain, D.O.

Jesse Bain, D.O.

Critical Care

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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Jesse Bain, D.O. at CHoR

Melanie Bean, Ph.D.

Melanie Bean, Ph.D.

Endocrinology

Melanie Bean, Ph.D.

Melanie Bean, Ph.D.

Endocrinology

Pediatrics

Associate Professor
Co-Director, Health Lifestyle Center

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Melanie Bean, Ph.D. at CHoR

Timothy Bunchman, M.D.

Timothy Bunchman, M.D.

Nephrology and Rheumatology

Timothy Bunchman, M.D.

Timothy Bunchman, M.D.

Nephrology and Rheumatology

Pediatrics

Professor

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Tim Bunchman, M.D. at CHoR

Laura Caccavale, Ph.D.

Laura Caccavale, Ph.D.

Endocrinology

Laura Caccavale, Ph.D.

Laura Caccavale, Ph.D.

Endocrinology

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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Laura Caccavale, Ph.D. at CHoR

Samuel L. Casella M.D., M.P.H.

Samuel L. Casella M.D., M.P.H.

Cardiology

Samuel L. Casella M.D., M.P.H.

Samuel L. Casella M.D., M.P.H.

Cardiology

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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Samuel Casella, M.P.H., M.D. at CHoR

Nayef Chahin, M.D.

Nayef Chahin, M.D.

Neonatal Medicine

Nayef Chahin, M.D.

Nayef Chahin, M.D.

Neonatal Medicine

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor
Assistant Program Director, Pediatrics Residency

Nayef Chahin, M.D. at CHoR

Jeffrey Donowitz, M.D.

Jeffrey Donowitz, M.D.

Infectious Diseases

Jeffrey Donowitz, M.D.

Jeffrey Donowitz, M.D.

Infectious Diseases

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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Jeffrey Donowitz, M.D. at CHoR

Nadirah El-Amin, D.O.

Nadirah El-Amin, D.O.

Hematology and Oncology

Nadirah El-Amin, D.O.

Nadirah El-Amin, D.O.

Hematology and Oncology

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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Nadirah El-Amin, D.O. at CHoR

Nikki Miller Ferguson, M.D.

Nikki Miller Ferguson, M.D.

Critical Care

Nikki Miller Ferguson, M.D.

Nikki Miller Ferguson, M.D.

Critical Care

Pediatrics

Associate Professor

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Nikki Miller Ferguson, M.D. at CHoR

David Friedel, M.D.

David Friedel, M.D.

Infectious Diseases

David Friedel, M.D.

David Friedel, M.D.

Infectious Diseases

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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David Friedel, M.D. at CHoR

Robin Foster, M.D.

Robin Foster, M.D.

Emergency Medicine, Child Protection

Robin Foster, M.D.

Robin Foster, M.D.

Emergency Medicine, Child Protection

Pediatrics

Professor

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Robin Foster, M.D. at CHoR

Emily Godbout, D.O.

Emily Godbout, D.O.

Infectious Diseases

Emily Godbout, D.O.

Emily Godbout, D.O.

Infectious Diseases

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor
Director, Pediatric Antimicrobial Stewardship

Emily Godbout, D.O. at CHoR

Madhu Gowda, M.D.

Madhu Gowda, M.D.

Hematology and Oncology

Madhu Gowda, M.D.

Madhu Gowda, M.D.

Hematology and Oncology

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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Madhu Gowda, M.D. at CHoR

Anshu Gupta, M.D.

Anshu Gupta, M.D.

Endocrinology

Anshu Gupta, M.D.

Anshu Gupta, M.D.

Endocrinology

Pediatrics

Associate Professor
Program Director, Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship

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Anshu Gupta, M.D. at CHoR

Marieka Helou, M.D.

Marieka Helou, M.D.

Vice Chair of Education, Interim Residency Program Director

Marieka Helou, M.D.

Marieka Helou, M.D.

Vice Chair of Education, Interim Residency Program Director

Pediatrics

Associate Professor

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Marieka Helou, M.D. at CHoR

Karen Hendricks-Muñoz, M.D., M.P.H.

Karen Hendricks-Muñoz, M.D., M.P.H.

Vice Chair, DEI

Karen Hendricks-Muñoz, M.D., M.P.H.

Karen Hendricks-Muñoz, M.D., M.P.H.

Vice Chair, DEI

Pediatrics

Professor

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Karen Hendricks-Muñoz, M.D., M.P.H. at CHoR

Sarah Hensley, M.D.

Sarah Hensley, M.D.

Endocrinology

Sarah Hensley, M.D.

Sarah Hensley, M.D.

Endocrinology

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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Sarah Hensley, M.D. at CHoR

Jennifer Hinesley, Psy.D.

Jennifer Hinesley, Psy.D.

Jennifer Hinesley, Psy.D.

Jennifer Hinesley, Psy.D.

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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Joseph Khoury, M.D.

Joseph Khoury, M.D.

Neonatal Medicine

Joseph Khoury, M.D.

Joseph Khoury, M.D.

Neonatal Medicine

Pediatrics

Associate Professor

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Joseph Khoury, M.D. at CHoR

Tiffany Kimbrough, M.D.

Tiffany Kimbrough, M.D.

General Pediatrics

Tiffany Kimbrough, M.D.

Tiffany Kimbrough, M.D.

General Pediatrics

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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Tiffany Kimbrough, M.D. at CHoR

William Koch, M.D.

William Koch, M.D.

Infectious Diseases

William Koch, M.D.

William Koch, M.D.

Infectious Diseases

Pediatrics

Associate Professor

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William Koch, M.D. at CHoR

Philip Kum-Nji, M.D.

Philip Kum-Nji, M.D.

General Pediatrics / Primary Care

Philip Kum-Nji, M.D.

Philip Kum-Nji, M.D.

General Pediatrics / Primary Care

Pediatrics

Associate Professor

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Philip Kum-Nji, M.D. at CHoR

Santhosh Kumar, M.D.

Santhosh Kumar, M.D.

Allergy and Immunology

Santhosh Kumar, M.D.

Santhosh Kumar, M.D.

Allergy and Immunology

Pediatrics

Associate Professor

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Santhosh Kumar, M.D. at CHoR

Apparao Kummarapurugu, Ph.D.

Apparao Kummarapurugu, Ph.D.

Apparao Kummarapurugu, Ph.D.

Apparao Kummarapurugu, Ph.D.

Pediatrics

Associate Professor

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Kelly Lastrapes, M.D.

Kelly Lastrapes, M.D.

Hematology and Oncology

Kelly Lastrapes, M.D.

Kelly Lastrapes, M.D.

Hematology and Oncology

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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Kelly Lastrapes, M.D. at CHoR

Suzanne Lavoie, M.D.

Suzanne Lavoie, M.D.

Program Director, Pediatrics Residency

Suzanne Lavoie, M.D.

Suzanne Lavoie, M.D.

Program Director, Pediatrics Residency

Pediatrics

Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases

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Suzanne Lavoie, M.D. at CHoR

Clifton Lee, M.D.

Clifton Lee, M.D.

Co-Director, M3 Pediatric Clerkship

Clifton Lee, M.D.

Clifton Lee, M.D.

Co-Director, M3 Pediatric Clerkship

Pediatrics

Associate Professor
Program Director, Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship

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Clifton Lee, M.D., FAAP, SFHM at CHoR

Megan Lo, M.D.

Megan Lo, M.D.

Nephrology and Rheumatology

Megan Lo, M.D.

Megan Lo, M.D.

Nephrology and Rheumatology

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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Megan Lo, M.D. at CHoR

Jonathan Ma, M.D.

Jonathan Ma, M.D.

Pulmonary Medicine

Jonathan Ma, M.D.

Jonathan Ma, M.D.

Pulmonary Medicine

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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Jonathan Ma, M.D. at CHoR

Mark Marinello, M.D.

Mark Marinello, M.D.

Critical Care

Mark Marinello, M.D.

Mark Marinello, M.D.

Critical Care

Pediatrics

Associate Professor

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Mark Marinello, M.D. at CHoR

Gita V. Massey, M.D.

Gita V. Massey, M.D.

Hematology and Oncology

Gita V. Massey, M.D.

Gita V. Massey, M.D.

Hematology and Oncology

Pediatrics

Associate Professor

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Gita V. Massey, M.D.at CHoR

Norma Maxvold, M.D.

Norma Maxvold, M.D.

Critical Care

Norma Maxvold, M.D.

Norma Maxvold, M.D.

Critical Care

Pediatrics

Associate Professor

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Norma Maxvold, M.D. at CHoR

Michael McVoy, Ph.D.

Michael McVoy, Ph.D.

Infectious Diseases

Michael McVoy, Ph.D.

Michael McVoy, Ph.D.

Infectious Diseases

Pediatrics

Professor

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Michael McVoy, Ph.D. at CHoR

Tazuddin Mohammed, M.D.

Tazuddin Mohammed, M.D.

Neonatal Medicine, Neonatal Continuing Care

Tazuddin Mohammed, M.D.

Tazuddin Mohammed, M.D.

Neonatal Medicine, Neonatal Continuing Care

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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Tazuddin Mohammed, M.D. at CHoR

Kathleen Moyer, M.D.

Kathleen Moyer, M.D.

Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Kathleen Moyer, M.D.

Kathleen Moyer, M.D.

Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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Kathleen Moyer, M.D. at CHoR

Bergen Nelson, M.D.

Bergen Nelson, M.D.

General Pediatrics / Primary Care

Bergen Nelson, M.D.

Bergen Nelson, M.D.

General Pediatrics / Primary Care

Pediatrics

Associate Professor

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Bergen Nelson, M.D. at CHoR

Bryce Nelson, M.D., Ph.D.

Bryce Nelson, M.D., Ph.D.

Endocrinology

Bryce Nelson, M.D., Ph.D.

Bryce Nelson, M.D., Ph.D.

Endocrinology

Pediatrics

Associate Professor
Chief, Division of Endocrinology

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Bryce Nelson, M.D., Ph.D. at CHoR

Michelle Olson, M.D.

Michelle Olson, M.D.

Critical Care

Michelle Olson, M.D.

Michelle Olson, M.D.

Critical Care

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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Michelle Olson, M.D. at CHoR

Alia O’Meara, M.D.

Alia O’Meara, M.D.

Critical Care

Alia O’Meara, M.D.

Alia O’Meara, M.D.

Critical Care

Pediatrics

Associate Professor

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Alia O’Meara, M.D. at CHoR

Russell Moores Jr., M.D.

Russell Moores Jr., M.D.

Program Director, Pediatrics Fellowship

Russell Moores Jr., M.D.

Russell Moores Jr., M.D.

Program Director, Pediatrics Fellowship

Pediatrics

Professor

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Russell Moores, M.D. at CHoR

Jennifer Rohan, Ph.D.

Jennifer Rohan, Ph.D.

Hematology and Oncology

Jennifer Rohan, Ph.D.

Jennifer Rohan, Ph.D.

Hematology and Oncology

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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Jennifer Rohan, Ph.D. at CHoR

Henry Rozycki, M.D.

Henry Rozycki, M.D.

Vice Chair, Research

Henry Rozycki, M.D.

Henry Rozycki, M.D.

Vice Chair, Research

Henry Rozycki, M.D.

Professor

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Henry Rozycki, M.D.at CHoR

Bruce Rubin, M.D.

Bruce Rubin, M.D.

Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine

Bruce Rubin, M.D.

Bruce Rubin, M.D.

Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine

Pediatrics

Professor

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Bruce Rubin, M.D. at CHoR

Michael Schechter, M.D.

Michael Schechter, M.D.

Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine

Michael Schechter, M.D.

Michael Schechter, M.D.

Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine

Pediatrics

Professor
Chief, Division of Pediatric Pulmonology

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Michael Schechter, M.D. at CHoR

Ashlie Tseng, M.D.

Ashlie Tseng, M.D.

Director, Resident Quality Improvement Education

Ashlie Tseng, M.D.

Ashlie Tseng, M.D.

Director, Resident Quality Improvement Education

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor
Associate Program Director, Pediatrics Residency and Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship

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Ashlie Tseng, M.D. at CHoR

Narendra Vadlamudi, M.D.

Narendra Vadlamudi, M.D.

Gastroenterology

Narendra Vadlamudi, M.D.

Narendra Vadlamudi, M.D.

Gastroenterology

Pediatrics

Associate Professor

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Narendra Vadlamudi, M.D. at CHoR

Judith Voynow, M.D.

Judith Voynow, M.D.

Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine

Judith Voynow, M.D.

Judith Voynow, M.D.

Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine

Pediatrics

Professor

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Judith Voynow, M.D. at CHoR

Joanne Wang, M.D.

Joanne Wang, M.D.

Hematology and Oncology

Joanne Wang, M.D.

Joanne Wang, M.D.

Hematology and Oncology

Pediatrics

Associate Professor

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Joanne Wang, M.D. at CHoR

Edmond Wickham, M.D., FAAP

Edmond Wickham, M.D., FAAP

Endocrinology

Edmond Wickham, M.D., FAAP

Edmond Wickham, M.D., FAAP

Endocrinology

Pediatrics

Associate Professor
Program Director, Adult Endocrinology and Metabolism Fellowship
Co-Director, Healthy Lifestyle Center

Edmond Wickham, M.D., FAAP at CHoR

N. Romesh Wijesooriya, M.D.

N. Romesh Wijesooriya, M.D.

General Pediatrics

N. Romesh Wijesooriya, M.D.

N. Romesh Wijesooriya, M.D.

General Pediatrics

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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N. Romesh Wijesooriya, M.D. at CHoR

Elizabeth Wolf, M.D.

Elizabeth Wolf, M.D.

General Pediatrics / Primary Care

Elizabeth Wolf, M.D.

Elizabeth Wolf, M.D.

General Pediatrics / Primary Care

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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Elizabeth Wolf, M.D. at CHoR

Wei Zhao, M.D., Ph.D.

Wei Zhao, M.D., Ph.D.

Allergy and Immunology

Wei Zhao, M.D., Ph.D.

Wei Zhao, M.D., Ph.D.

Allergy and Immunology

Pediatrics

Chief, Division of Allergy and Immunology
Professor

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Wei Zhao, M.D., Ph.D. at CHoR

Shuo Zheng, Ph.D.

Shuo Zheng, Ph.D.

Shuo Zheng, Ph.D.

Shuo Zheng, Ph.D.

Pediatrics

Assistant Professor

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Research Staff

  • Justin Nebel Executive Director, Research Strategy Operations
  • Elizabeth Olmsted, CRA Associate Administrator
  • Sabrina Minter Research Administrator
  • Kala Quinn Assistant Research Administrator
  • Kayla Prejean Assistant Research Administrator
  • Margaret (Meg) Lessard, CCRC Senior Clinical Research Coordinator
  • Erica Memoli, MS, RDN, CNSC Clinical Research Coordinator
  • Megan Beatley, BSN, RN, CPHON Clinical Research Nurse
  • Bhakti Dave, MPH Clinical Research Coordinator
  • Andrea (Andi) Jewell, EMT Clinical Research Coordinator
  • Laura Albert Suarez Clinical Research Coordinator
  • Andrea Molzhon, Ph.D. Project UPLIFT Manager
  • Akilah Pierre-Louis, MS Clinical Research Coordinator
  • Megan Scott, CCRC Clinical Research Coordinator
  • Aleksandar Subotic, MHA Clinical Research Coordinator

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