Opportunities for patients to participate in research
Through support from generous donors, the Department of Pediatrics at Washington University and the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation we are able to provide a number of research opportunities for our patients. Patients and their families have the opportunities to enroll in studies focused on identifying genetic causes of their disease, a better understanding of immune deficiencies including newborn screening, as well as clinical trials for the treatment of primary immunodeficiency including serving as a center for the Primary Immune Deficiency Treatment Consortium. We have a dedicated research team that can discuss these opportunities with you at your clinic visit.
Our Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic and Research Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies at St. Louis Children’s Hospital
We are proud to be a designated Jeffrey Modell Diagnostic and Research Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies. Led by Washington University physician Megan Cooper, MD, PhD, this center provides resources to investigate the genetic causes of pediatric immunodeficiencies and educate our patients and local physicians.
Recent research discoveries
Some recent highlights from our group:
INFILTR8: Rare Disease Attacks a Child’s Immune System (Links to an external site)
Scientists discover rare genetic condition that attacks kids’ immune systems (Links to an external site)
Supporting physician-scientists
Working with physicians and scientists at Washington University School of Medicine, our students, residents and fellows have the opportunity to participate and lead cutting-edge research focused on the human immune system and primary immunodeficiency. Each year a fellow in the field of Immunology is honored with the David Gilstrap Award. David was an infant who was treated at St. Louis Children’s Hospital by the Washington University Immunology team more than 20 years ago. This generous award was established by David’s family to honor his memory, and as a way to advance our understanding of primary immunodeficiency.
David Gilstrap award winners
2001 – Fei F. Shih, MD, PhD 
2002 – Lara Danziger-Isakov, MD 
2003 – William J. Grossman, MD, PhD 
2004 – James W. Verbsky, MD, PhD 
2005 – Ben Thatayatikom, MD 
2006 – Celeste Morley, MD, PhD 
2008 – Jeffrey J. Bednarski, MD, PhD 
2009 – Laura Schuettpelz, MD, PhD 
2011 – Sydney A. Leibel, MD 
2012 – Alexander Ngwube, MD 
2013 – Maleewan Kitcharoensakkul, MD 
2014 – Angela Herman, MD 
2015 – Tiphanie Vogel, MD, PhD 
2016 – Ashley Steed, MD, PhD 
2017 – Sima Bhatt, MD 
2020 – Julia Warren, MD, PhD 
2021 – Tarin Bigley, MD, PhD 
2022 – Elizaveta Kalaidina, MD 
2023 – Irem Eldem, MD 
2024 – Lance Peterson, MD, PhD
| Year | Awardee | Area(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Fei F. Shih, MD, PhD | Rheumatology |
| 2002 | Lara Danziger-Isakov, MD | Infectious Diseases |
| 2003 | William J. Grossman, MD, PhD | Hematology/Oncology |
| 2004 | James W. Verbsky, MD, PhD | Rheumatology |
| 2005 | Ben Thatayatikom, MD | Rheumatology |
| 2006 | Celeste Morley, MD, PhD | Infectious Diseases |
| 2007 | Megan A. Cooper, MD, PhD | Rheumatology |
| 2008 | Jeffrey J. Bednarski, MD, PhD | Hematology/Oncology |
| 2009 | Laura Schuettpelz, MD, PhD | Hematology/Oncology |
| 2010 | Bradley Ornstein, MD | Rheumatology/Infectious Diseases |
| 2011 | Sydney A. Leibel, MD | Allergy |
| 2012 | Alexander Ngwube, MD | Hematology/Oncology |
| 2013 | Maleewan Kitcharoensakkul, MD | Rheumatology/Allergy |
| 2014 | Angela Herman, MD | Hematology/Oncology |
| 2015 | Tiphanie Vogel, MD, PhD | Rheumatology |
| 2016 | Ashley Steed, MD, PhD | Critical Care |
| 2017 | Sima Bhatt, MD | Hematology/Oncology |
| 2018 | Aaron Ver Heul, MD, PhD | Allergy |
| 2019 | Erica G. Schmitt, MD, PhD | Rheumatology |
| 2020 | Julia Warren, MD, PhD | Hematology/Oncology |
| 2021 | Tarin Bigley, MD, PhD | Rheumatology |
| 2022 | Elizaveta Kalaidina, MD | Allergy |
| 2023 | Irem Eldem, MD | Hematology/Oncology |
| 2024 | Lance Peterson, MD, PhD | Rheumatology |