Dr. Laughon is a physician who specializes in Neonatal and Perinatal medicine. Dr. Laughon’s research interests include neonatal epidemiology, neonatal clinical pharmacology trials (phase I, II, and III), and neonatal lung disease-particularly bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). His research work integrates clinical efforts of neonatologists and pharmacologists from academic healthcare institutions across the US to determine efficacy of medications in pediatric populations.
Education and Training
BS in Biology, Davidson College
MD, University of Virginia School of Medicine
Residency and Internship, Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Fellowship, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
MPH, Epidemiology, University of North Carolina School of Public Health
Research
Dr. Laughon’s research team has successfully participated and led trials under the Food and Drug Administration’s guidance to determine the optimal dose for off-patent therapeutics in term and premature infants. His team also works extensively with the Pediatric Trials Network and the Neonatal Research Network. Dr. Laughon is using innovative trial designs which have allowed him to successfully perform early phase trials in neonates in shorter times than traditional early phase studies. These innovations have been adopted by the pharmaceutical industry to study new drugs in development and to reduce timelines to approval.
Dr. Laughon’s future research plans include continuing investigation into medications used to treat common health problems associated with premature birth, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary arterial hypertension and patent ductus arteriosus.
