Translational Research

Chandy John, M.D., M.S.

Dr. John's areas of interest include research in malaria immunology and epidemiology, and education in global health and infectious disease.

He conducts malaria research in Kenya and Uganda. In Kenya his research focuses on highland areas at risk for epidemics, investigating how immune responses to P. falciparum antigens relate to risk of infection and disease. In Uganda, his project investigates how immune responses, particularly serum cytokine levels, relate to long-term cognitive outcomes in children with cerebral malaria.

Michael Georgieff, M.D.

Dr. Georgieff's areas of interest include the effects of maternal iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy on placental iron status, fetal brain iron status and subsequent postnatal behavior and the effect of eastern European institutionalization and post-adoption refeeding on iron status and neurodevelopment.

Site:   China

Proposal written for enrollment in China (part of program project grant submitted with Betsy Lozoff at University of Michigan).

Center for Neurobehavioral Development, University of Minnesota

Dana Johnson, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Johnson's areas of interest include the short- and long-term effects of early childhood deprivation (stress) on child health and early development.

The International Adoption Clinic sees over 300 international adoptees/year from dozens of countries and a wide variety of living conditions. Children drawn from this clinic population allow comparisons of outcomes from a variety of developmental environments. Ongoing projects include the use of infant nanny and preschool programs (China) and group homes for adolescents (Romania) to ameliorate the negative effects of long-term institutionalization. A collaboration with Dr. Charles Nelson looks at the effect of an institutional vs. foster care environment on somatic growth and development. A collaboration with Dr. Megan Gunnar focuses on the medical and developmental status of international adoptees in Minnesota, the nurturing environment of the adoptive family, and specific challenges faced by their adoptive parents. Currently the clinic is collaborating with Drs. Anna Petryk and Brad Miller in Pediatric Endocrinology to study the phenomenon of post-arrival "catch-up" growth in stunted Eastern European adoptees.

Sites: International Adoption Clinic, China & Romania

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