Katz-Denny Fellows

Previous Fellows

Stephanie Borinsky, MD (Gastroenterology) 

  • Mentor(s): Evan Dellon, MD MPH, Professor of Medicine, UNC
  • Project: Development and validation of a clinical predictive model for EoE in pediatric patients, and development of alternative techniques for monitoring EoE
  • Current position: Fellow Pediatrics, Gastroenterology, UNC

Angelique Boutzoukas, MD (Infectious Diseases) 

  • Mentor(s): Kanecia Zimmerman, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Duke
  • Project: Durations of postdiscontinuation therapeutic exposures of commonly used antibiotics in premature infants and association with future antibiotic-resistance
  • Current position: Assistant Professor Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases, Duke University

Lauren Covert, MD (Rheumatology) 

  • Mentor(s): George Truskey, PhD, R. Eugene and Susie E. Goodson Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering; Jeff Dvergsten, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Duke; Andrew Landstrom, MD PhD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Duke
  • Project: Developing an in vitro model of juvenile dermatomyositis using 3D myobundles to define etiological mechanisms and expeditiously test targeted therapies
  • Current Position: Assistant Professor Pediatrics, Rheumatology Duke University

Andre Espaillat, MD

  • Mentor(s): Michelle Hernandez, MD
  • Project: A pilot study examining changes in nasal inflammatory IL-1ß during hospital admission for acute asthma exacerbation in children and adolescents
  • Current position: In training

Henry Foote, MD

  • Mentor(s): Christoph Hornik, MD PhD MPH
  • Project: Characterize the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of acetaminophen for infants following cardiopulmonary bypass.
  • Current position: Fellow, Pediatrics, Cardiology

Brian Guedes, MD (Hematology/Oncology) 

  • Mentor(s): Corinne Linardic, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke
  • Project: Cyclin dependent kinase 8: a pharmacologic target for fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Current position: Faculty/Hospitalist Pediatrics Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL

Yike Jiang, MD PhD

  • Mentor(s): Mari Shinohara, PhD)
  • Project: Using animal models of pediatric MOGAD (Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated disease) to understand immunopathogenesis.
  • Current position: Fellow, Pediatrics, Rheumatology

Ganga Moorthy, MD (Infectious Diseases) 

  • Mentor(s): Matthew Rubach, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Duke
  • Project: Sepsis outcomes in Tanzania through operational research focused on the implementation and evaluation of therapeutic interventions
  • Current position: Assistant Professor Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases, Duke University

Seth Morrison, MD (Gastroenterology) 

  • Mentor(s): Sylvia Becker-Dreps, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Family Medicine, UNC
  • Project: Role of histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) in enteric infections in resource limited settings (Nicaraguan birth cohort)
  • Current position: Post doctoral fellow Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, UNC

Derek Zachman, MD, PhD

  • Mentor(s): Matthew Hirschey, PhD
  • Project: Mechanisms of AML relapse; mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.
  • Current position: Fellow, Pediatrics, Hematology-Oncology

Sarah Heston, MD

  • Mentor(s): Matthew Kelly, William Steinbach
  • Project: Using the gut microbiome to elucidate the impact of antibiotic therapy on children's risk for developing infections with invasive and resistant bacteria
  • Current position: Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellow, Duke

Agnes Chao, MD

  • Mentor(s): Eric Benner and Mari Shinohara
  • Project: Breast milk associated oxysterols for the treatment of neonatal brain injury to improve neurologic outcomes.
  • Current position: Clinical Associate and Research Fellow in Pediatrics (Neonatology), Duke University Medical Center

Tobias Straube, MD

  • Mentor(s): Kanecia Zimmerman and Alexandre Rotta
  • Project: A novel approach to intravascular Oxygenation
  • Current position: Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Critical Care Medicine), Duke University Medical Center

Dennis Leung, MD

  • Mentor(s): Matthew Laughon
  • Project: Prospective PK/safety study of gabapentin use in children less than3 years of age
  • Current position: Pediatric Neurocritical Care Fellow, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD

Marissa Just, MD

  • Mentor(s): Corinne Linardic
  • Project: Targeting Cyclin Dependent Kinase 8 in Fusion Positive Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Current position: Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Hematology/Oncology), Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN

Adrian Epstein, MD, PhD 

  • Mentor(s): Eric Benner
  • Project: Subventricular Zone Injury following Neonatal Sepsis Disrupts Neurodevelopment via toll-like receptor activation of Ependymal Cells
  • Current position: Neonatology Fellow, Duke University Medical Center

Elizabeth Jalazo, MD 

  • Mentor(s): Joseph Muenzer
  • Project: Investigation of immune tolerance regimen to optimize efficacy of enzyme replacement therapy in MPSII or Hunter Syndrome
  • Current position: Instructor, Pediatric Genetics and Metabolism, UNC School of Medicine