Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine shines at SSPR 2026
Faculty and trainees from the Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston had a strong national presence at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Southern Society for Pediatric Research (external link) (SSPR), held in New Orleans, LA, earning major research awards, elected society leadership roles, and multiple trainee honors — many of which reflect the outcomes of sustained investment in early-stage research training.
Maria del Mar Romero Lopez, MD, PhD
Mar Romero Lopez, MD, PhD, received the SSPR Young Investigator’s Award for Clinical Research for the ViDES Trial, a randomized clinical study evaluating vitamin D supplementation in extremely preterm infants with direct implications for neonatal clinical care. Demonstrating national leadership within the pediatric research community, Professor Eric Reynolds, MD, MPH, was elected President of SSPR, and Associate Professor Tina Findley, MD, was re-elected to the SSPR Council for a second term.
The division’s scientific portfolio was broadly represented across oral and poster sessions, spanning clinical trials, translational and basic science, neonatal nutrition, genetics, inflammatory pathways, health equity, and developmental outcomes in vulnerable neonatal populations. This breadth reflects a research program that integrates discovery science with clinically meaningful questions across the neonatal continuum.
NICU Summer Research Program: Training the Next Generation
A notable highlight of the meeting was the success of trainees who participated in the 2025 NICU Summer Research Program (SRP). Nine medical students completed the 10 week, full time research program, supported in part by the Dean’s Office and administered through the Medical Student Research Office (MSRO).
The 2025 SRP cohort included:
- Mason Wong
- Kay Chi Pua
- Claire Hockett
- Sarah Eknoyan
- Alena Alexander
- Lily Buckner
- Amy Hardcastle
- Alyssa Miller
- Laith Enani
Collectively, these students contributed to multiple abstracts presented at SSPR, with several receiving SSPR Trainee Travel Awards, underscoring the program’s role in producing high-quality scholarly output and early national exposure. Their work reflects the division’s commitment to immersive, mentored research experiences that meet rigorous institutional and national standards.
Fellows and Trainees Recognized Nationally
Caitlin Stoll, DO
In addition to medical student success, neonatal fellows and residents were recognized for excellence in scholarship and mentorship:
- Meena Vegesna, PGY5, and Maggie Aucoin, PGY6, received the David Oelberg Honorary Trainee Travel Award.
- Caitlyn Stoll, PGY6, was awarded an SSPR Trainee Travel Award and selected to present at the SSCI/SSPR Showcase of Science.
- Additional trainee presenters included Samarchitha Magal, MD, among others, contributing to the division’s robust scientific presence.
The meeting also highlighted continuity in mentorship, including contributions from prior mentees and trainees such as Dominique Dagdag, MD, reflecting a longitudinal pipeline from medical student research through fellowship and early faculty development.
Together, these accomplishments demonstrate the Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Division’s integrated approach to research, education, and mentorship, advancing neonatal science while preparing the next generation of physician scientists and academic pediatric leaders. These efforts reflect the continued leadership and support of Amir Khan, MD, Division Chief of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine.
