Our Fellows

2023 – 2026

Maggie Aucoin, MD

Maggie Aucoin, MD

Pediatric Residency: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
Research Project: Evaluation of Biobank Specimens for RNA Biomarkers in Patients with Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)
Research Mentor: Michael Chang, MD

Samarchitha Magal, MD

Samarchitha Magal, MD

Pediatric Residency: University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Research Project: Evaluation of Patient Demographics Seen at an Established Fetal Intervention Program for In-Utero Myelomeningocele Repair
Research Mentor: Suzanne Lopez, MD

Caitlin Stoll, DO

Caitlin Stoll, DO

Pediatric Residency: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
Research Project: Tiny Baby Skin Project
Research Mentor: Matthew Rysavy, MD
Published Work: Stoll CM, Jani PR, Ågren J, Bell EF, August DL, Backes CH, Rysavy MA; Tiny Baby Collaborative Steering Committee. Approaches to incubator humidification at <25 weeks’ gestation and potential impacts on infants. J Perinatol. 2025 Apr 19. doi: 10.1038/s41372-025-02294-1. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40253558.

2024 – 2027

Nicola Harris,DO

Nicola Harris, DO

Pediatric Residency: McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)
Research Project: Human Milk Fatty Acid Profile in Pre-Eclampsia
Research Mentor: Lindsay Holzapfel, MD

Lakshmi Panjini, MD

Lakshmi Panjini, MD

Pediatric Residency: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
Research Project: BONE SOS Study
Research Mentor(s): Maria del Mar Romero Lopez, MD, MS, PhD; Catherine Ambrose, PhD; Angela Bachim, MD

Larissa Petzey Salazar, MD

Larissa Petzey Salazar, MD

Pediatric Residency: Lincoln Medical Center, Bronx, New York
Research Project: Neural Extracellular Vesicles to Detect Fetal Brain Injury in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Research Mentor(s): Tina Findley, MD; Laura Goetzl, MD, MPH

Meena Vegesna, MD

Meena Vegesna, MD

Pediatric Residency: Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Research Project: Effects of Hyperoxia on Surfatant Protein A
Research Mentor: Joseph Alcorn, PhD

2025 – 2028

Kaia Amoah,MD

Kaia Amoah, MD

Pediatric Residency: Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio

Shachi Daru, MD

Shachi Daru, MD

Pediatric Residency: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois

Chizorbam Diribe, MD

Chizorbam Diribe, MD

Pediatric Residency: The John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland

Gabriela Giambanco, MD

Gabriella Giambanco, MD

Pediatric Residency: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas

Alumni

Frank Abene, DO, MSADE

Frank Abene, DO

Pediatric Residency: McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)
Research Project: Ciliary Structure and Function in Premature Infants with BPD
Research Mentor: Ricardo Mosquera, MD
Published Work:
D. Yassa, I. Magana, F. Abene, J.M. Muñiz-Hernández, W. De Jesus-Rojas, M.D.M. Romero Lopez, J.A. Castillo Moguel, C.K. Jon, M.D. Mcdowell, K. Mcbeth, C. Gatcliffe, D. Larrain, S. Zuleta De Bernardis, A.A. Torres, J.M. Stark, G.N. Colasurdo, and R.A. Mosquera. Analyzing Respiratory Cilia Dynamics in Relation to Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Severity [abstract]. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2025;211:A3157.

Abene, F. A., Magana-Ceballos, I., Lopez, M. R., & Mosquera, R. (2025). 758 Feasibility of characterizing ciliary function in extremely premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, 369, S512.

Aman Jain, MD

Aman Jain, MD

Pediatric Residency: McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)
Research Project: Glucosuria in Extremely Preterm Infants
Research Mentor: Matthew Rysavy, MD
Published Work:

Humphreys, J.D., Jain, A., Khan, A.M., Findley, T.O., Romero-Lopez, M., Saroukhani, S., Swinford, R.D., Rysavy, M.A. Urinary biomarkers of acute kidney injury in neonates < 25 weeks’ gestation: a pilot study. Pediatr Nephrol (2025). 

Jain, A., J. Humphreys, J. L. Alcorn, T. O. Findley, M. Romero Lopez, J. Samuel, A. M. Khan, and M. Rysavy. “630 The relationship of blood glucose with glucosuria in extremely preterm infants.” The American Journal of the Medical Sciences 369 (2025): S416-S417.

Tran T, Sankoorikkal N, Intal L, Lu T, Munir S, Jain A, Li W, Corno A, Khan A, Findley T. Prolonged Hyperoxia Exposure is an Independent Predictor for Moderate to Severe Neurodevelopmental Impairment in Extremely Premature Neonates. Res Sq [Preprint]. 2025 Sep 1:rs.3.rs-7428681. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7428681/v1. PMID: 40951292; PMCID: PMC12425047.

Brittany Graham, MD

Brittany Graham, MD

Pediatric Residency: University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Published Work: Urbina T, Graham B, Tang R, Wilson SD, Sanchez Mejia AA, Gowda SH. Congenital Conundrum: Unraveling the Puzzle of Double Outlet Right Ventricle for the Neonatologist. Neoreviews. 2025 Jul 1;26(7):e477-e489. doi: 10.1542/neo.26-7-034. PMID: 40588272.

Jazmin Humphreys, DO

Jazmin Humphreys, DO

Pediatric Residency: University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Research Project: Urinary Biomarkers of Acute Kidney Injury in Extremely Low Birth Weight Neonates: A Pilot Study
Research Mentor: Rita Swinford, MD and Amir Khan, MD
Published Work:

Humphreys, J.D., Jain, A., Khan, A.M., Findley, T.O., Romero-Lopez, M., Saroukhani, S., Swinford, R.D., Rysavy, M.A. Urinary biomarkers of acute kidney injury in neonates < 25 weeks’ gestation: a pilot study. Pediatr Nephrol (2025). 

Jain, A., J. Humphreys, J. L. Alcorn, T. O. Findley, M. Romero Lopez, J. Samuel, A. M. Khan, and M. Rysavy. “630 The relationship of blood glucose with glucosuria in extremely preterm infants.” The American Journal of the Medical Sciences 369 (2025): S416-S417.

Kaitlyn Parker, MD

Kaitlyn Parker, MD

Pediatric Residency: University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama
Research Project: Prophylactic Caffeine for Prevention of Prostaglandin-Induced Apnea
Research Mentor: Matthew Rysavy, MD

Olivia Russell, MD

Olivia Russell, MD

Pediatric Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
Research Project: Long-term Outcome for Patients Evaluated in a Fetal Center
Research Mentor: Eric Bergh, MD

Kelsey Anderson, MD

Kelsey Anderson, MD

Pediatric Residency: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Research Project: Parent Factors Affecting NICU Discharge Readiness in High-Risk Infants
Research Mentor: Madelene Ottosen, PhD, RN, Eric Thomas, MD, MPH
Published work: Anderson KR, Pandey R. EBNEO Commentary: Intubation competence during neonatal fellowship training-A trainee’s perspective. Acta Paediatr. 2022 May;111(5):1089-1090. doi: 10.1111/apa.16243. Epub 2022 Feb 7. PMID: 35130351.

Chandana Ravikumar, DO

Chandana Ravikumar, DO

Pediatric Residency: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Research Project: Surfactant Protein A Impact on Gut Microbiome and Intestinal Integrity in an Experimental Murine Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Research Mentor: Joseph Alcorn, Jr., PhD
Published Work: Ravikumar C, Pandey R. Feeding infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy during therapeutic hypothermia. J Perinatol. 2022 Sep 24. doi: 10.1038/s41372-022-01520-4. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36153408.

Elizabeth Sabroske, DO

Elizabeth Sabroske, DO

Pediatric Residency: Baylor College of Medicine, San Antonio, TX
Research Project: Genotypic and Phenotypic Changes in Serotype IV GBS Strains Over Time
Research Mentor: Anthony R. Flores, MD, MPH, PhD
Published Work: Sabroske, E.M., Iglesias, M.A.S., Rench, M. et al. Evolving antibiotic resistance in Group B Streptococci causing invasive infant disease: 1970–2021. Pediatr Res 93, 2067–2071 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-022-02375-3

Maya Brasher, MD

Maya Brasher, MD

Pediatric Residency: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Research Project: Utility of surface polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection among HSV-exposed neonates
Research Mentor: Susan H. Wootton, MD
Published Work:

Fadhel Alvarez A, Patel SP, Brasher MI, Ruggiero JE, Aneji C. Langerhans cell histiocytosis: Presentation in a preterm neonate. Cancer Rep (Hoboken). 2022 Feb;5(2):e1472. doi: 10.1002/cnr2.1472. Epub 2021 Jun 22. PMID: 34156158; PMCID: PMC8842702.

Caroline Crocker, DO

Caroline Crocker, DO

Pediatric Residency: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
Research Project: The Role of Surfactant Protein A in Neuroinflammation Using a Mouse Model
Research Mentor: Joseph Alcorn, Jr., PhD
Published Work:

Crocker CE, Sharmeen R, Tran TT, Khan AM, Li W, Alcorn JL. Surfactant Protein A Attenuates Generalized and Localized Neuroinflammation In Neonatal Mice. Brain Res. 2023 Mar 3:148308. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148308. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36871846.

Tran, T.T., Davies, J., Johnston, R.A., Quinatana., H.K., Li .H., Crocker. C.E., Khan. A.M., Alcorn. J.L.. Impact of vitamin D on hyperoxic acute lung injury in neonatal mice. BMC Pulm Med 24, 584 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-024-03391-1

Caroline E. Crocker, Joseph Alcorn, Romana Sharmeen; Investigating the Role of Surfactant Protein a in Acute and Chronic Neuroinflammation Using a Mouse Model. Pediatrics February 2022; 149 (1 Meeting Abstracts February 2022): 689.

Ashley Morin, MD

Ashley Morin, MD

Pediatric Residency: University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, Houston, TX
Research Project: A randomized control trial evaluating oral feeding on CPAP and HFNC
Research Mentor: Allison Davidson, DO, Suzanne Lopez, MD, FAAP

Thu Tran, DO

Thu Tran, DO

Pediatric Residency: Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Amarillo, TX
Research Project: Vitamin D, Sp-A and inflammatory markers in preterm neonates
Research Mentor: Joseph Alcorn, Jr., PhD
Published Work:

Crocker CE, Sharmeen R, Tran TT, Khan AM, Li W, Alcorn JL. Surfactant Protein A Attenuates Generalized and Localized Neuroinflammation In Neonatal Mice. Brain Res. 2023 Mar 3:148308. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148308. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36871846.

Tran, T.T., Davies, J., Johnston, R.A., Quinatana., H.K., Li .H., Crocker. C.E., Khan. A.M., Alcorn. J.L.. Impact of vitamin D on hyperoxic acute lung injury in neonatal mice. BMC Pulm Med 24, 584 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-024-03391-1

Mary Johnson, MD

Mary Johnson, MD

Pediatric Residency: University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
Research Project: Evaluating Effects of In Utero Nicotine Exposure on Hypoglycemia After Delivery
Research Mentor: Thomas Northrup, MD, and John Chapman, MD
Published work:

Northrup TF, Stotts AL, Suchting R, Matt GE, Quintana PJE, Khan AM, Green C, Klawans MR, Johnson M, Benowitz N, Jacob P, Hoh E, Hovell MF, Stewart CJ. Thirdhand smoke associations with the gut microbiomes of infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit: An observational study. Environ Res. 2021 Jun;197:111180. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111180. Epub 2021 Apr 16. PMID: 33865820; PMCID: PMC8187318.

Johnson MG, Suchting R, Scheid LM, Holzapfel LN, Chalise A, Stotts AL, Chapman JC, Khan AM, Northrup TF. Evaluating the relationship of in utero nicotine exposure with hypoglycemia after delivery: An observational study. J Neonatal Perinatal Med. 2023;16(3):445-452. doi: 10.3233/NPM-230124. PMID: 37742665.

Kathryn Kuehn, MD

Kathryn Kuehn, MD

Pediatric Residency: McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)
Research Project: The Effect of Folic Acid on Methylation and Transcription of Genes Involved with Neural Tube Defects
Research Mentor: Hope Northrup, MD; Kit Sing Au, PhD, and Ramesha Papanna, MD

Cydney Meyer, MD

Cydney Meyer, MD

Pediatric Residency: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Research Project: Impact of SP-A on breast milk
Research Mentor: Joseph Alcorn, PhD

Published Work:
Meyer CM, Khan AM, Alcorn JL. Impact of Surfactant Protein-A on Immunomodulatory Properties of Murine and Human Breast Milk. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2022 Jul 1;75(1):97-103. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000003458. Epub 2022 Apr 20. PMID: 35442233.

Alcorn, J., & Meyer, C. (2021). IMPACT OF SURFACTANT PROTEIN-A ON IMMUNOMODULATORY PROPERTIES OF HUMAN AND MURINE BREAST MILK: 65. Journal of Investigative Medicine, 69(2), 442.

Lydia Youmans, MD

Lydia Youmans, MD

Pediatric Residency: McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)
Research Project: Genetic Variants of Transcription Factors in Myelomeningocele
Research Mentor: Hope Northrup, MD; Kit Sing Au, PhD and Rachel Miller, PhD

Karis Browder, MD

Karis Browder, MD

Research Project: Neonatal AKI in ELBW infants
Research Mentor: Vinai Modem, MD

Meredith Collins, MD

Meredith Collins, MD

Research Project: The effect of lipid emulsions on free fatty acids and free bilirubin in premature newborns
Research Mentor: Cody Arnold, MD

Matthew Hamilton, DO

Matthew Hamilton, DO

Research Project:General Movements Assessment in Neonatal Encephalopathy
Research Mentor: Andrea Duncan, MD
Published work:

Hoban R, Schoeny ME, Esquerra-Zwiers A, Kaenkumchorn TK, Casini G, Tobin G, Siegel AH, Patra K, Hamilton M, Wicks J, Meier P, Patel AL. Impact of Donor Milk on Short- and Long-Term Growth of Very Low Birth Weight Infants. Nutrients. 2019 Jan 22;11(2):241. doi: 10.3390/nu11020241. PMID: 30678256; PMCID: PMC6412258.

Johnson TJ, Patra K, Greene MM, Hamilton M, Dabrowski E, Meier PP, Patel AL. NICU human milk dose and health care use after NICU discharge in very low birth weight infants. J Perinatol. 2019 Jan;39(1):120-128. doi: 10.1038/s41372-018-0246-0. Epub 2018 Oct 19. PMID: 30341399; PMCID: PMC6298834.

Catherine Beaullieu, MD

Catherine Beaullieu, MD

Research Project:Does NIPPV reduce the need for endotracheal intubation in infants who fail nCPAP secondary to apnea?
Research Mentor: Amir Khan, MD
Published Work:

Duyka B, Beaullieu C, Khan AM. A comparison of methods of discontinuing nasal CPAP in premature infants <30 weeks gestation: a feasibility study. J Perinatol. 2021 Nov;41(11):2658-2663. doi: 10.1038/s41372-021-01200-9. Epub 2021 Sep 11. PMID: 34511596; PMCID: PMC8435158.

Katie Chetta, MD

Katherine Chetta, MD

Research Projects: Agreement and Reliability Testing for Bilirubin Binding Capacity Levels in Premature Neonates Using a Bilirubin Hematofluorometer
Research Mentor: Cody Arnold, MD and Jon Tyson, MD
Research Projects: The Effect of Pasteurization on the Neonatal Intestine using a Cell System
Research Mentor: Joe Alcorn, PhD

Published Work:

Arnold, C., Domonoske, C., Davis, J., Lombard, E., & Chetta, K. (2019). TARGETING ERRORS OF OMISSION IMPROVES NUTRITION IN THE NICU: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT STUDY: 686. Journal of Investigative Medicine, 67(2), 625. https://doi.org/10.1136/jim-2018-000974.691

Pham, O., Chetta, K. E., Pedroza, C., Tyson, J., Lamola, A., Bhutani, V., & Arnold, C. (2018, February). A PILOT PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY ON BILIRUBIN BINDING CAPACITY AND INTRALIPID INFUSION RATE. In JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE MEDICINE (Vol. 66, No. 2, pp. 559-559). BRITISH MED ASSOC HOUSE, TAVISTOCK SQUARE, LONDON WC1H 9JR, ENGLAND: BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP.

Chetta, K. E., Pham, O., Pedroza, C., Tyson, J., Lamola, A., Bhutani, V., & Arnold, C. (2018, February). Measuring bilirubin binding capacity in very low birthweight newborns. In JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE MEDICINE (Vol. 66, No. 2, pp. 627-627). BRITISH MED ASSOC HOUSE, TAVISTOCK SQUARE, LONDON WC1H 9JR, ENGLAND: BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP.

Brittany Duyka, MD

Brittany Duyka, MD

Research Project: A Comparison of Methods of Discontinuing Nasal CPAP in Premature Infants <30 Weeks Gestation – A Feasibility Study
Research Mentor: Amir Khan, MD
Published Work:

Duyka B, Beaullieu C, Khan AM. A comparison of methods of discontinuing nasal CPAP in premature infants <30 weeks gestation: a feasibility study. J Perinatol. 2021 Nov;41(11):2658-2663. doi: 10.1038/s41372-021-01200-9. Epub 2021 Sep 11. PMID: 34511596; PMCID: PMC8435158.