Stage one results from the OUtMATCH clinical trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, show that a monoclonal antibody, omalizumab, increased the amount of peanut, tree nuts, egg, milk and wheat that multi-food allergic children as young as age one could consume without an allergic reaction. Edwin Kim, MD, MS, Corinne Keet, MD, PhD, and Mike Kulis, PhD, are contributing authors.

The Society of Toxicology has selected Dr. Ilona Jaspers to receive the 2024 Society of Toxicology Education Award. Ilona Jaspers, PhD is a Professor of Pediatrics, Microbiology & Immunology, Environmental Sciences and Engineering, and the Gillings School of Global Public Health. The annual Society of Toxicology Education Award is presented to an individual who is distinguished by the teaching and training of toxicologists and who has made significant contributions to education in the broad field of toxicology.

Analyses led by Corinne Keet, MD, PhD, at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, of two longitudinal studies reveal how an increased level of an antibody called immunoglobin (IgE) to cow’s milk is associated to cardiovascular-related death.

David Peden, MD, MS, has been named chief research officer of the UNC School of Medicine Clinical Research Alliance. He will begin his work in the role immediately. He also serves as interim director of the CRA.

Yamini Virkud, MD, MPH was promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics effective November 1, 2023. Dr. Virkud has been a faculty member in Pediatrics since 2021. Dr. Virkud received her medical degree from Washington University in 2008. Dr. Virkud completed her pediatric residency at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in 2011 and clinical and research fellowships were completed at Duke University in 2014. Before joining us at UNC Children’s, Dr. Virkud was an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children.

Allison Burbank, MD was promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics effective November 1, 2023. Dr. Burbank has been a faculty member in Pediatrics since 2017. Dr. Burbank received her medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in May 2010 and remained in Little Rock, AR to complete her Pediatric Residency in June 2014. She completed her Allergy-Immunology Fellowship Postdoctoral Training at with us at UNC Chapel Hill.

Congratulations to Corinne Keet, MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Allergy/Immunology, and Vice Chair of Clinical and Translational Research, and Peyton Thompson, MD, MSCR,
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases, on their election to membership in the Society of Pediatric Research (SPR).

The Society for Pediatric Research encourages and supports pediatric research endeavors by creating a multi-disciplinary network of diverse researchers to improve child health. Collaboration among SPR members creates meaningful progress for the future of children’s health. Active Members are independent researchers conducting hypothesis-driven research in a field related to pediatrics that have been nominated and seconded by SPR members and approved by SPR Council.

Congratulations Corinne and Peyton!

A clinical study led by Edwin Kim, MD, at the UNC School of Medicine, showed how Peanut Sublingual Immunotherapy (Peanut SLIT) is safe and effective in children ranging from 1-to-4 years of age. Remission of peanut allergy was also possible after three months of stopping the treatment.

Meghan E. Rebuli, PhD, was selected by American Thoracic Society President Patricia Rivera to be featured as a “Who’s Who” of the society. Rebuli’s research focuses on investigating sex specific effects of air pollutants and new and emerging tobacco products on pulmonary health.

The UNC Office of Research Communications featured Ilona Jaspers, PhD, director of the UNC Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology in “Rooted,” a series highlighting long-time researchers at Carolina.