Duke Pediatrics Ranks First Nationwide in NIH Funding for 2023

We are pleased to announce that the Duke Department of Pediatrics has been ranked first nationally on the list of Blue Ridge NIH research grant funding for pediatrics clinical science departments with a total of $100,869,457 for 2023. Notably, three of our investigators were ranked among the top 20 for individual research funding, including Michael Cohen-Wolkowiez, MD, PhD, #1; P. Brian Smith, MD, MPH, MHS, #2; and Christoph Hornik, MD, PhD, MPH , #15.

"Congratulations to our entire department for achieving this #1 ranking. This is a testament to the hard work of our faculty, research teams, and our entire research administration and support services, said Dr. Hornik, Vice Chair for Research at Duke Pediatrics.

NIH funding is a strong indicator of an institution's research excellence. The grants and contracts by NIH fuel research that will profoundly impact pediatrics.

"One does not achieve this level of impact without a tremendous team putting in the effort day in and day out. From proposal ideas, strategy, and submission to project design, operations, implementation, and partnerships, I am privileged to work with an outstanding group of dedicated, passionate, and effective individuals who want to make a difference in people's lives," said Dr. Cohen-Wolkowiez.

Rankings are compiled by the independent Blue Ridge Institute in Medical Research based on the most current NIH data. The Department of Pediatrics is one of nine clinical science departments and two basic science departments at the Duke University School of Medicine among the top 10 in the country.

2023 Top Duke Pediatric Investigators for NIH Funding

Michael Cohen-Wolkowiez, MD, PhD

Kiser-Arena Distinguished Professor
Infectious Diseases
Ranked #1

A project the NIH funding supports: Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics Underserved Populations Coordination and Data Collection Center (RADx-UP CDCC), a community-centered, effective, flexible, participatory, and sustainable CDCC that serves as the infrastructure to maximize the community impact of projects in the RADx-UP Program.

P. Brian Smith, MD, PhD, MPH, MS
Samuel L. Katz Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics
Neonatology
Quantitative Sciences
Ranked #2

A project the NIH funding supports: The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Coordinating Center at the DCRI. The ECHO Program is currently enrolling nearly 100,000 children and their parents in a national cohort study at over 70 US sites.

Christoph Hornik, MD, PhD, MPH
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Critical Care Medicine
Chief, Quantitative Sciences
Vice Chair, Research
Ranked #15

Other notable accomplishments of highly ranked faculty of contracts and grants, include Daniel K Benjamin, MD, PhD, MPH, Jennifer Li, MD , Michael (Tony) Moody, MD, and Emmanuel (Chip) Walter, MD, MPH.

Also, congratulations to the following, included are those who received 2023 NIH awards (excluding R&D contracts).