Research: Our Mission

To educate and prepare future physicians and biomedical scientists for a career in innovative research that benefits the health and well-being of the pediatric population in Texas and beyond.

Our Approach

The Pediatric Research Center is home to wide-ranging research focused on identifying the causes of birth defects with the ultimate goal of developing prevention and treatment strategies. Clinical research and clinical trials are prominent endeavors throughout the pediatric divisions that utilize testing to develop innovative treatments. The exciting synergy and collaborations between basic and clinical research produce leading-edge breakthroughs in child and adolescent care.


In pursuit of the research mission of the Department of Pediatrics, our internationally renowned Research Vice-Chairs, and Pediatric Research Committee lead our faculty in an extraordinary commitment to quality research.

Pediatric Research Committee

Mary Aitken, MD, MPHMary Aitken, MD, MPH
Tina Findley, MDTina Findley, MD
Syed S. Hashmi, MD, MPH, PhDSyed Hashmi, MD, MPH, PhD
Erin HealyErin Healy
Jacqueline Hecht, PhDJacqueline Hecht, PhD
Gloria Heresi, MDGloria Heresi, MD
Joan Hernandez, MPHJoan Hernandez, MPH
Amir M. Khan, MDAmir Khan, MD
Mary Kay Koenig, MDMary Kay Koenig, MD
Yoshihiro Komatsu, Ph.D.Yoshihiro Komatsu, PhD
Rachel Miller, PhDRachel Miller, PhD
Ricardo Mosquera, MDRicardo Mosquera, MD
Hope Northrup, MDHope Northrup, MD
J. Marc Rhoads, MDJ. Marc Rhoads, MD
Matthew Rysavy, MD, PhDMatthew Rysavy, MD, PhD
Marvin Thomas, Jr.Marvin Thomas, Jr., MHA, MBA