RESEARCH: My research interests are in the complex interplay between neutrophils, platelets, and endothelium and how these interactions mediate inflammation and thrombosis. I have focused my research on platelet-neutrophil-endothelial interactions in order to determine novel mechanisms on how these cells interact in different models of inflammation (sepsis, wound repair, acute lung injury, and liver injury and fibrosis). Given the recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, research into novel drug development is paramount. Our laboratory is creating and testing novel compounds to prevent attachment and inflammation of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses. Finally, I am collaborating with biomedical engineers at the University of Houston to test novel microfluidic devices for extracorporeal therapies, such as apheresis. My laboratory is in the Center for Translation Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CTRID) at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where I actively collaborate with experts in the field of platelet biology, vascular biology, and inflammation.

CLINICAL: I have many clinical interests revolving around the physiology of critically ill children. One of these interests is in severe sepsis and the interplay between thrombosis and inflammation, where dysregulation of one can lead to dysfunction in the other and both can alter tissue perfusion and lead to organ injury. Additionally, I am a founding member of the Texas Children’s Hospital Liver ICU team, caring for critically ill patients with acute and acute-on-chronic liver failure. Children with critical liver disease are some of the most complex children to treat due to the complex interactions between the liver and most other organ systems (brain, lung, heart, kidneys, intestines, immunity, and coagulation). Therefore, caring for children with liver disease has been a rewarding experience in terms of both the complex pathophysiology as well as the multi-disciplinary teamwork involved in treating them.

EDUCATION: In critical care, understanding the core concepts of normal and abnormal physiology is paramount to the appropriate care of severely ill and injured children. To this end, I have developed our Core and Applied Physiology Curriculum which spans ~24 sessions over the course of the year. This curriculum sets the foundation for the basis of what we do in the Intensive Care Units and provides our trainees the building blocks to develop treatment plans for complex patients. I have an interest in effective education and have developed this program with the input of our fellows. We utilize a flipped-classroom approach, combined with peer teaching and small group discussions to allow for a safe, but effective learning environment. Finally, I am passionate about training the next generation of pediatrician-scientists and serve as the Associate Program Director (Scholarship) for our Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program and am an Advisory Board Member of the Texas Children's Hospital Pediatric Scientist Program.