Pediatrics Research Program

The goal of our research team is to develop infrastructures and environment that encourage faculty and residents to collaborate in research and scholarly projects while continuing to emphasize academic mentoring, and fostering research relationships in the medical community and beyond.

UCSF Fresno has a variety of unique strengths that have influenced our program values:

Addressing the health and well-being of children and families in the urban and rural regions of Central California.
Continually advancing Quality Improvement practices and policies in Pediatrics, and
Emphasizing applicable science to better serve diverse pediatric populations

Our research program provides a broad-range support for our residents in research and scholarly works, including:

Interactive lectures and small group seminars on research and quality improvement.
Close mentorship by faculty experts.
Support for the completion and presentation of a scholarly project.

For more information, contact our Research Program Director:
Chokechai (Chai) Rongkavilit, MD, FAAP

[email protected]

Resident Original Publications:

Hsing, JC, Ma, J, Barrero-Castillero, A, Jani, SG, Pulendran, UP, Bea-Jane, L, Thomas-Uribe, M, Wang, CJ. Influence of Health Beliefs on Adherence to COVID-19 Preventative Pracitves: International, Social Media-Based Survey Study. 2021 Feb; 23(2)
Wang NE, Newton CR, Spain DA, Pirrotta E, Thomas-Uribe M. Patient, hospital and regional characteristics associated with undertriage of injured children in California (2005-2015): a retrospective cohort study. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open. 2019 Aug 30; 4(1): e000317.
Sakamoto JT, Thomas-Uribe M, Uribe-Leitz PT, Wang NE. Approach to Pediatric Abdominal Pain in the ED: Part I. Pediatric Emergency Medicine Reports. 2019 Aug; 24(8)
Sakamoto JT, Thomas-Uribe M, Uribe-Leitz PT, Wang NE. Approach to pediatric abdominal pain in the ED: Part II. Pediatric
Galindo, R; Chow, H; Rongkavilit, C. COVID-19 in Children Clinical Manifestations and Pharmacologic Interventions Including Vaccine Trials. 2021 Oct; 68(5)
Naeem, F; Vijayan, V; Kim, BY; Rahmati, E; McCarty, J. Congenital Coccidioidomycosis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. 2021, July; 10(7)

Resident Poster Presentations:

“Establishing guidelines for Pediatric Fever in a Community Hospital,” Allie Johnston, MD, Ramin Azhir, MD, Amreeta Panesar, MD. Mentors: Eric Schmitt, MD, MPH and Chokechai Rongkavilit, MD. Abstract 161, presented at Western Medical Research Conference, Carmel, 2020.
“Improving resident confidence at neonatal resuscitation through increased exposure,” Ming Cai, MD. Mentor: Erica Gastelum, MD. Abstract 207, presented at Western Medical Research Conference, Carmel, 2020.
“Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus,” Shidong Chen, MD. Abstract 160, presented at Western Medical Research Conference, Carmel, 2020.
“Atypical IPEX Syndrome Presenting As Severe Aplastic Anemia and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis Responsive to Tacrolimus,” Alexander Sidhom MD, Syed Kamal MD, Katja Weinacht MD PhD, Yael Gernez-Goldhammer MD PhD, Bindu Sathi MD, Rosa Bacchetta MD. Presented at ACAAI Conference, Kentucky, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2022.08.900
“A Virtual Simulation Curriculum Improves Resident Participation In Pediatric Mock Codes” Jia Yue Liu, MD, Alexandra Curry, DO, Hana Kahin, MD, Bryan Adam, DO. Mentor: Krishna Siruguppa, MD. Presented at American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference, Anaheim, 2022.

Resident Oral Presentations:

“Diagnosis of Neonatal Diabetes with Rare Pdx1-Mutation,” Jasmin Persch, MD, Mentor: Animesh Sharma, MD (VCH). Abstract 394, presented at Western Medical Research Conference, Carmel, 2020.
“Low K is not Okay,” Ming Cai, MD, Mentor: Rais Vohra, MD. Abstract 26, presented at Western Medical Research Conference, Carmel, 2020.
“Patients with Genetic Variants of Unknown Significance for Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia: A Case Series,” Derek Corpus, MD, Mentors: John Moua, MD; Paul Do, MD. Abstract 401, presented at Western Medical Research Conference, Carmel, 2020.
“Quality Improvement in The Outpatient Management of Pediatric Asthma in The Central Valley,” Kali Hockett, MD; Cindy Nguyen, DO; Derek Corpus, MD; Ozge Dogan, MD; Melissa Jasinto, MD; Veriah Vidales, MD; Mentors: Naomi Bardach, MD; Christian Faulkenberry-Miranda, MD. Abstract 232, presented at Western Medical Research Conference, Carmel, 2020.
“Unusual Presentation of Acute Hepatitis Complicated by Pancreatitis in A Child,” Ozge Dogan, MD, Mentor: Michael Haight, MD. Abstract 436, presented at Western Medical Research Conference, Carmel, 2020.

Resident Awards

Faculty Original Publications:

2022

Abu-Shamsieh, A; Maw, S. Pediatric Care for Immigrant, Refugee, and Internationally Adopted Children. 2022 Feb; 69(1) DOI

Wang, JY; Foroutan, A; Richardson, E; Skinner, SA; Reilly, J; Kerkhof, J; Curry, CJ; Tarpey, PS; Robertson, SP; Maystadt, I; Keren, B; Dixon, JW; Skinner, C; Stapleton, R; Ruaud, L; Gumus, E; Lakeman, P; Alders, M; Tedder, ML; Schwartz, CE; Friez, MJ; Sadikovic, B; Stevenson, RE. Clinical findings and a DNA methylation signature in kindreds with alterations in ZNF711. 2022, Apr; 30(4)

Kumble, S; Levy, AM; Garcia-Minaur, S; Gao, H; Palomares-Bralo, M; Pacio-Miguez, M; Parikh, S; Ritter, AL; Izumi, K; Hoffman, TL; Oppermann, H; Bjerglund, L; Rosenfeld, JA; Curry, C; Faivre, L; Leiber, A; Robinson, S; Finkel, RS; Gerard, A; Cohen, JS; Xie, Y; Mullegama, SV; Platzer, K; Sacoto, MJG; Revah-Politi, A; Berger, SM; Comi, AM; Anyane-Yeboa, K; Fievet, A; Mintz, CS; Lozano, R; Posey, JE; Ciliberto, M; Howard, L; Benke, P; Odent, S; Denomme-Pichon, AS; Weber, M; Mew, NA; Ostergaard, E; Iglesias, AD; Punetha, J; Chung, WK; Brown, N; Tumer, Z. Expanding the phenotype of QRICH1 associated neurodevelopmental disorder. 2022, Apr; 30(1)

Kumble, S; Levy, AM; Punetha, J; Gao, H; Mew, NA; Anyane-Yeboa, K; Benke, PJ; Berger, SM; Bjerglund, L; Campos-Xavier, B; Ciliberto, M; Cohen, JS; Comi, AM; Curry, C; Damaj, L; Denomme-Pichon, AS; Emrick, L; Faivre, L; Fasano, MB; Fievet, A; Finkel, RS; Garcia-Minaur, S; Gerard, A; Gomez-Puertas, P; Sacoto, MGJ; Hoffman, TL; Howard, L; Iglesias, AD; Izumi, K; Larson, A; Leiber, A; Lozano, R; Marcos-Alcalde, I; Mintz, CS; Mullegama, SV; Moller, RS; Odent, S; Oppermann, H; Ostergaard, E; Pacio-Miguez, M; Palomares-Bralo, M; Parikh, S; Paulson, AM; Platzer, K; Posey, JE; Potocki, L; Revah-Politi, A; Rio, M; Ritter, AL; Robinson, S; Rosenfeld, JA; Santos-Simarro, F; Sousa, SB; Weber, M; Xie, YL; Chung, WK; Brown, NJ; Tumer, Z. The clinical and molecular spectrum of QRICH1 associated neurodevelopmental disorder. 2022, Feb; 43(2)

Naeem, F; Rongkavilit, C. Exotic Infections Are Only One Plane Away Preface. 2022 Feb; 69(1)

MacDonell, KK; Wang, B; Phanuphak, N; Janamnuaysook, R; Srimanus, P; Rongkavilit, C; Naar, S. Optimizing an mHealth Intervention to Improve Uptake and Adherence to HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in Young Transgender Women: Protocol for a Multi-Phase Trial. 2022, May; 11(5)

Thilakaratne, R; Graham, S; Moua, J; Jones, CG; Collins, C; Mann, J; Sciortino, S; Wong, J; Kharrazi, M. CFTR gene variants, air pollution, and childhood asthma in a California Medicaid population. 2022, Nov; 57(11)

2021

Bunnalai, T; Fontenette, R; Siruguppa, K; Vargas, V; Neville, C; Waugh, J; Merriman, M; Lien, T; Covarrubias, L; Ip, A; Husted, H. IMPLEMENTATION OF A COLLABORATIVE PEDIATRIC AND ADULT HYBRID TEAM IN THE CARE OF CRITICALLY ILL ADULT PATIENTS DURING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: AN EXPERIENCE FROM A LARGE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL IN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA. 2021, Jan; 69(1)

Lemire, G; Ito, YA; Marshall, AE; Chrestian, N; Stanley, V; Brady, L; Tarnopolsky, M; Curry, CJ; Hartley, T; Mears, W; Derksen, A; Rioux, N; Laflamme, N; Hutchison, HT; Pais, LS; Zaki, MS; Sultan, T; Dane, AD; Gleeson, JG; Vaz, FM; Kernohan, KD; Bernard, G; Boycott, KM. ABHD16A deficiency causes a complicated form of hereditary spastic paraplegia associated with intellectual disability and cerebral anomalies. 2021, Oct; 108(10)

Park, KB; Chapman, T; Aldinger, KA; Mirzaa, GM; Zeiger, J; Beck, A; Glass, IA; Hevner, RF; Jansen, AC; Marshall, DA; Oegema, R; Parrini, E; Saneto, RP; Curry, CJ; Hall, JG; Guerrini, R; Leventer, RJ; Dobyns, WB. The spectrum of brain malformations and disruptions in twins. 2021, Sep; 185(9)

Zarate, YA; Bosanko, KA; Thomas, MA; Miller, DT; Cusmano-Ozog, K; Martinez-Monseny, A; Curry, CJ; Graham, JM; Velsher, L; Bekheirnia, MR; Seidel, V; Dedousis, D; Mitchell, AL; DiMarino, AM; Riess, A; Balasubramanian, M; Fish, JL; Caffrey, AR; Fleischer, N; Pierson, TM; Lacro, RV. Growth, development, and phenotypic spectrum of individuals with deletions of 2q33.1 involving SATB2. 2021, Apr; 99(4).

Serpieri, V; D'Abrusco, F; Dempsey, JC; Cheng, YHH; Arrigoni, F; Baker, J; Battini, R; Bertini, ES; Borgatti, R; Christman, AK; Curry, C; D'Arrigo, S; Fluss, J; Freilinger, M; Gana, S; Ishak, GE; Leuzzi, V; Loucks, H; Manti, F; Mendelsohn, N; Merlini, L; Miller, CV; Muhammad, A; Nuovo, S; Romaniello, R; Schmidt, W; Signorini, S; Siliquini, S; Szczaluba, K; Vasco, G; Wilson, M; Zanni, G; Boltshauser, E; Doherty, D; Valente, EM. SUFU haploinsufficiency causes a recognisable neurodevelopmental phenotype at the mild end of the Joubert syndrome spectrum. 2021, Oct;59(9)

Biesecker, LG; Adam, MP; Alkuraya, FS; Amemiya, AR; Bamshad, MJ; Beck, AE; Bennett, JT; Bird, LM; Carey, JC; Chung, B; Clark, RD; Cox, TC; Curry, C; Dinulos, MBP; Dobyns, WB; Giampietro, PF; Girisha, KM; Glass, IA; Graham, JM; Gripp, KW; Haldeman-Englert, CR; Hall, BD; Innes, AM; Kalish, JM; Keppler-Noreuil, KM; Kosaki, K; Kozel, BA; Mirzaa, GM; Mulvihill, JJ; Nowaczyk, MJM; Pagon, RA; Retterer, K; Rope, AF; Sanchez-Lara, PA; Seaver, LH; Shieh, JT; Slavotinek, AM; Sobering, AK; Stevens, CA; Stevenson, DA; Tan, TY; Tan, WH; Tsai, AC; Weaver, DD; Williams, MS; Zackai, E; Zarate, YA. A dyadic approach to the delineation of diagnostic entities in clinical genomics. 2021, Jan; 108(1)

Higa, LA; Wardley, J; Wardley, C; Singh, S; Foster, T; Shen, JJ. CNKSR2-related neurodevelopmental and epilepsy disorder: a cohort of 13 new families and literature review indicating a predominance of loss of function pathogenic variants. 2021, July; 14(1)

Galindo, R; Chow, H; Rongkavilit, C. COVID-19 in Children Clinical Manifestations and Pharmacologic Interventions Including Vaccine Trials. 2021 Oct; 68(5)

Bunnalai, T; Fontenette, R; Siruguppa, K; Vargas, V; Neville, C; Waugh, J; Merriman, M; Lien, T; Covarrubias, L; Ip, A; Husted, H. IMPLEMENTATION OF A COLLABORATIVE PEDIATRIC AND ADULT HYBRID TEAM IN THE CARE OF CRITICALLY ILL ADULT PATIENTS DURING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: AN EXPERIENCE FROM A LARGE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL IN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA. 2021, Jan; 69(1)

Naeem, F; Vijayan, V; Kim, BY; Rahmati, E; McCarty, J. Congenital Coccidioidomycosis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. 2021, July; 10(7)

2020

Keles, ES. Mild SARS-CoV-2 infections in children might be based on evolutionary biology and linked with host reactive oxidative stress and antioxidant capabilities. 2020 Jan; 36

Adam, AP; Curry, CJ; Hall, JG; Keppler-Noreuil, KM; Adam, MP; Dobyns, WB. Recurrent constellations of embryonic malformations re-conceptualized as an overlapping group of disorders with shared pathogenesis. 2020, Nov; 182(11)

Macmillan, P; Frye, J; Bunnalai, T; Kaups, K. Crisis Standards of Care Guidelines for the COVID-19 Pandemic: Fresno Resource Allocation Guide (FRAG). 2020 Nov; 13(11)

A Teenager With Cough, Weight Loss, and a Chest Wall Mass. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2020 05; 59(4-5):522-528. Marquez I, Hardee S, Kim S, Webb N, Roberto L, Sanchez-Glanville C, Rongkavilit C. PMID: 31965823 -> A Teenager With Cough, Weight Loss, and a Chest Wall Mass - PubMed (nih.gov)

Update on Coccidioidomycosis in the United States and Beyond. Global Pediatric Health. 2020; 7:2333794X20969282. Bajwa AK, Rongkavilit C. à Update on Coccidioidomycosis in the United States and Beyond - PubMed (nih.gov)

Please add this next publication under the 2021 tab: Mei Lan Chen, Xiangsheng Huang#, HongtaoWang*, et al. CAR directs T cell adaptation to bile acids in the small intestine. Nature. 2021 May; 593 (147-151). PubMed PMID: 33828301. à CAR directs T cell adaptation to bile acids in the small intestine - PMC (nih.gov)

Faculty Mentored Poster Presentations:

“Establishing guidelines for Pediatric Fever in a Community Hospital,” Allie Johnston, MD, Ramin Azhir, MD, Amreeta Panesar, MD. Mentors: Eric Schmitt, MD, MPH and Chokechai Rongkavilit, MD. Abstract 161, presented at Western Medical Research Conference, Carmel, 2020.
“Improving resident confidence at neonatal resuscitation through increased exposure,” Ming Cai, MD. Mentor: Erica Gastelum, MD. Abstract 207, presented at Western Medical Research Conference, Carmel, 2020.

Faculty Oral Presentations:

“Patients with Genetic Variants of Unknown Significance for Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia: A Case Series,” Derek Corpus, MD, Mentors: John Moua, MD; Paul Do, MD. Abstract 401, presented at Western Medical Research Conference, Carmel, 2020.
“Quality Improvement in The Outpatient Management of Pediatric Asthma in The Central Valley,” Kali Hockett, MD; Cindy Nguyen, DO; Derek Corpus, MD; Ozge Dogan, MD; Melissa Jasinto, MD; Veriah Vidales, MD; Mentors: Naomi Bardach, MD; Christian Faulkenberry-Miranda, MD. Abstract 232, presented at Western Medical Research Conference, Carmel, 2020.
“Unusual Presentation of Acute Hepatitis Complicated by Pancreatitis in A Child,” Ozge Dogan, MD, Mentor: Michael Haight, MD. Abstract 436, presented at Western Medical Research Conference, Carmel, 2020.

SPOTLIGHT

November 2023

Dr. Hiba El-Rahi, MD

Socio-Economic Disparities in Unplanned Hospital Admission and In-Hospital Outcomes Among Children with Congenital Heart Disease

Dr. Hiba El-Rahi, MD

Western Medical Research Conference in Carmel

Dr. Zareh, Torabyan, MD

Clinical Outcomes in Neonates with Congenital Heart Disease with Concurrent Congenital Neurological Anaomalies

Dr. Zareh, Torabyan, MD

Western Medical Research Conference in Carmel

Dr. Catherine Cong, MD

Effects of Cardiac Arrhythmias on The Mortality and Morbidity in Pediatric Patients with Seizure Disorders

Dr. Catherine Cong, MD

Western Medical Research Conference in Carmel

October 2023

Dr. Ravali Ambati, MD with her abstract project

Pediatric Anorectal Endoflip Motility Study Improves Patient Comfort and Quality of Care: A Case Study

Dr. Ravali Ambati, MD

NASPGHAN Conference in San Diego

March 2023

PEDIATRIC GRAND ROUNDS

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