The faculty and staff of Duke Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine lead high-impact research programs to support children and families impacted by neurologic, developmental, genetic, and behavioral conditions.
In basic and translational science, faculty study the causes of neurologic and neurodevelopmental conditions and work closely with local, national, and international collaborators to develop new biomarkers, diagnostic strategies, gene‑based treatments, and other promising therapies. This work is closely linked to a busy clinical research program that includes investigator‑led studies, multi‑institution collaborations, natural history studies, and clinical trials of new treatments for rare and complex conditions. Across all areas of research, investigators focus on questions that matter to patients and families. Together, these efforts help move discoveries from the laboratory into the clinical care of children with neurodevelopmental conditions.
Current Clinical Trials:
- For clinical research studies at Duke, please visit duke-research.dukehealth.org.
Research Faculty
Joan Mary Jasien, MD
Types of research: Clinical research, Basic science, Advocacy/community engagement
Areas of interest:
- Neurological cognitive and motor aging in young adults/adults with myelomeningocele.
- Neuroimaging, cognitive and motor effects of APOE E4 in myelomeningocele.
- Community engagement pilot: How can researchers and families from diverse communities work together to amplify community voice and engagement in DS research?
Sujay Kansagra, MD
Types of research: Clinical research, Clinical trials, Advocacy/community engagement, Education/curriculum development
Areas of interest:
- Pharmacologic treatment of hypersomnia disorders.
- Novel devices for the treatment of sleep difficulties in infancy.
- Sleep disorder phenotypes in neurogenetic disorders.
Natalie Katz, MD
Types of research: Clinical research, Clinical trials, Industry partnerships
Areas of interest:
- Imaging biomarkers to predict disease progression in pediatric neuromuscular disease, particularly the impact on respiratory function.
- Understanding factors that influence quality of life and health outcomes including identity of self, social determinants of health, and barriers to healthcare access.
- Metabolomic and proteomic biomarkers of disease progression.
- Influence and benefits of nutritional interventions in disease progression.
Monica E. Lemmon, MD
Types of research: Clinical research, Clinical trials
Areas of interest:
- Parent-clinician communication.
- Shared decision-making.
- Parent outcomes after child illness.
- Clinical bioethics.
Mohamad Mikati, MD
Types of research: Clinical research, Basic science
Areas of interest:
- Clinical Manifestations of Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood.
- Clinical Epileptology.
- SUDEP in mouse model of epilepsy.
- Gene therapy of mouse model of Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood.
Jeff Russ, MD, PhD
Types of research: Clinical research, Basic science (View his lab)
Areas of interest:
- Understanding the impact of genetic brain malformations in discrete cell types of the cerebral cortex.
- Long-term impact of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury on cortex development.
- Interactions between the placenta and the developing brain.
- Identifying new molecular therapeutic targets that might help treat neurogenetic disorders and perinatal brain injury.
Bryn Salter, MD
Types of research: Clinical research, Clinical trials, Quality improvement, Education/curriculum development
Areas of interest:
- Behavioral aspects of neurogenetic conditions.
- Initiatives to help medical trainees and primary care providers build skills for treating mental health conditions, especially while serving youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Purnima Valdez, MD
Types of research: Clinical research, Education/curriculum development, Advocacy/community engagement
Areas of interest:
- Access to developmental pediatric care.
- Medical education methods for teaching about structures that influence health.