Pediatrics Research

a person working with lab equipment

Research-Driven Discoveries

Transforming child health through groundbreaking research.

Advancing Pediatric Research

The U-M Medical School Department of Pediatrics stands among the top 15 departments nationally for NIH funding, with a robust research portfolio exceeding $40 million in active awards. Our faculty, trainees, and students are united by a mission to advance scientific understanding of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of childhood diseases—and to translate these discoveries into improved health care for children everywhere.

A Thriving Research Environment

Faculty, residents and fellows benefit from a wealth of mentorship and collaboration opportunities—both within our department and across the Medical School and wider University of Michigan community.

Faculty in the Department contribute to this mission by performing research along the entire spectrum of clinical and translational research – from basic scientific discovery in the laboratory, community and clinic to the translation of these discoveries to patients and to practice. Faculty have access to a wide range of mentors and collaborators within the department, medical school and university to pursue interests in basic science, translational, clinical and health services research as well as education and quality improvement.

Areas of Research

We foster a dynamic research culture that spans the full spectrum of pediatric inquiry, including:

  • Basic Science
  • Translational Medicine
  • Clinical Research
  • Health Services Research
  • Medical Education
  • Quality Improvement Initiatives
Research & Mentoring Opportunities

• Core research facilities for both basic and clinical research

• Statistical and data collection support

• Intramural funding opportunities

• Faculty development launch committees

• Grant review programs

• Clinical research design and statistical analysis

• Educational leadership

• K-award training

• R-award boot camps

Our Centers & Programs

M-CHORD

The Michigan Congenital Heart Outcomes Research and Discovery (M-CHORD) is composed of multi-disciplinary faculty members from pediatric cardiology, cardiac surgery, critical care, genetics, nephrology and psychology, along with a dedicated staff of research nurses, study coordinators, database programmers and a biostatistician.

Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health

The C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health measures the public’s opinions, perceptions and priorities regarding today’s most important child health issues and trends. These findings inform new policy initiatives and research on important concerns facing kids today.

Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center

The Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center at the University of Michigan is one of the largest health services research centers that focuses on children, conducting research and training across several core themes that include data science, emerging technologies, health outcomes research, health care policy, and communications.

Woodson Children's Clinical Research Lab

The Charles Woodson Children's Clinical Research (CWCCR) Lab, managed by the U-M Medical School Department of Pediatrics, provides children's health research investigators with core facilities for the preparation and short-term storage of biological specimens. 

The CWCCR Lab is open to the Department of Pediatrics research faculty and staff involved in children's health research. Faculty and staff can contact the lab coordinating manager for questions about the lab. For internal lab resources, visit the Pediatrics Intranet

Publications & Grants

Discover more about the Department of Pediatrics grants and publications.

View publications

Featured News & Stories

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girl smiling with graduation cap in white dress field behind her
Health Lab

Born with half a heart, headed to college with a full life

Teen born with complex congenital heart condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome, referred to as half a heart, prepares for big milestone as she starts college.
pill in child's hand blue sweater
Health Lab

More leucovorin prescribed to kids after federal officials touted its unproven benefits for autism

A new study finds sharp increase in dispensing of leucovorin after high profile news conference touting its unproven benefits for autism.
Jodi Erhmann, MD
Points of Blue

Jodi Ehrmann, MD: Shaping Growth, One Day at a Time

Jodi Ehrmann (she/her/hers), MD, is a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Michigan Medical School. She also serves as assessment clerkship director for pediatrics.
pink person talking to one orange person with question mark above their head confused and then a yellow person talking to the orange person and a teal person talking to the orange person
Health Lab

Many young adults may not be ready to manage their own health care

Many young adults may be entering adulthood without the practical skills needed to manage their own health care, suggests a national C.S. Mott Children's Hospital poll.
UMich Med Mosaic on blue background with colorful geometric shapes
UMich Med Mosaic

Beyond the White Coat: Global & Local Health Experiences

In this UMich Med Mosaic, host Mackenzie Kay talks with medical students Amanda Cassetti, Emily Gitlin and Evelina Hristova about how they’ve engaged in service through initiatives like the U-M Student-Run Free Clinic, Wolverine Street Medicine and Global REACH. They reflect on building trust with patients, navigating care in nontraditional settings and the importance of ethical engagement. The conversation explores how these experiences have shaped their skills and aspirations and reinforced that service can be a critical part of becoming a physician.
Dr. Lauren Reed, Dr. Heba Abu-Isa
Department News

Committed to patients, dedicated to learners: General Pediatrics honors two faculty members

Dr. Lauren Reed and Dr. Heba Abu-Isa are recognized for excellence in clinical care, education, mentorship, and service to the General Pediatrics community.