9IÖÆ×÷³§Ãâ·Ñ

Dr. Jacquetta Trasler

In my research, I am interested in how preconception and early life environmental stressors impact the epigenome to predispose children to birth defects and adverse health outcomes. The epigenome, heritable marks on our DNA that influence gene expression, undergoes its most dynamic programming at key times that influence normal development in children. Altered epigenetic marks or epimutations can be corrected, suggesting the importance of early detection and the development of approaches to prevention such as the use of folic acid. We study the epigenetic and child health consequences of infertility, advanced paternal age, and both fathers’ and mothers’ exposures, including anticancer drugs and endocrine disrupting chemicals, and the use of assisted reproduction. I was motivated to pursue research during my early training in Obstetrics and Gynecology. At the time, the causes of most birth defects in children were unknown. This was also when the human genome had recently been sequenced and the concept of the epigenome was just emerging. I went on to do PhD level training to take advantage of these new fields to better understand the causes of birth defects in children.

Dr. Mallory Downie

My research program is focused on identifying new genes and genetic risk factors in childhood kidney disease using bioinformatics. Currently, I am studying childhood nephrotic syndrome which is caused by injury to the tiny filters inside the kidney. Genes associated with nephrotic syndrome can help us understand why the disease develop in the first place. They can also provide drug targets for new treatments and may someday be used in the clinic to predict the development. My research career is inspired by my clinical care of children who have serious kidney disease and no identified cause. I want to use genetics to help prevent, delay, prognose, and treat their diseases.

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Dr. Simon Lafontaine

My research explores the challenges adolescents with type 1 diabetes face as they transition from pediatric to adult care. As a medical student, under the supervision of Dr. Meranda Nakhla, I examine health outcomes during the transition period to identify gaps in care and healthcare needs of young adults with diabetes. By informing the design and delivery of transition care services, my research ultimately aims to improve the transition process as well as long-term diabetes management. The intersection of clinical care and research is central to my vision of medicine. As an incoming 9IÖÆ×÷³§Ãâ·Ñ Internal Medicine resident, I plan to continue my research with a focus on optimizing health service delivery models for adults with childhood-onset chronic diseases.

Dr. Gabriel Altit

Research Themes and Focus Areas -ÌýAt the NeoCardioLab, our focus is on:

Translational Neonatal Hemodynamics: Advancing the clinical application of targeted neonatal echocardiography (TnECHO), with a focus on optimizing cardiovascular assessments in preterm infants, term neonates with encephalopathy, and patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Digital Health and Medical Informatics in Neonatology: Development and implementation of open-access, web-based platforms and mobile applications to enhance education, decision support, and standardization in neonatal cardiovascular care.

Right Ventricular Function and Pulmonary Hypertension: Investigation of right ventricular performance, pulmonary vascular transitions, and phenotypic classification of pulmonary hypertension in the neonatal period, including integration of bedside imaging, biomarkers, and physiology-based modeling.

Normative Data and Growth Analytics: Establishing and validating reference ranges for neonatal echocardiographic parameters, z-score tools, and growth centiles to support individualized cardiovascular assessments and research harmonization.

Knowledge Translation and Global Capacity Building: Promoting equitable access to neonatal hemodynamics education through digital dissemination, multilingual content development, and international collaboration.

Fetal Cardiovascular Phenotypes and Long-Term Trajectories: Exploring the impact of fetal cardiovascular remodeling, and maternal-fetal unit on pre- and postnatal hemodynamics, NICU course, and long-term cardiovascular outcomes of NICU graduates, including early markers of cardiopulmonary risk.