Faculty
Clinical Summary
Late preterm infant; Prevention of NEC in the ELBW; Prevention of IVH in the ELBW infanct
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric NeonatologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-401
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Bio
Marie Hickey, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Neonatology. She earned her MD and completed her residency and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship at the University of Minnesota. In addition to attending on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Dr. Hickey enjoys seeing patients in the NICU follow-up clinic.
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric NeonatologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-401
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Bio
Phu Tran is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics. His research focuses on mechanisms (molecular and epigenetic) underlying the long-term effects of early-life adversity on neural development. His lab has been investigating how early-life (fetal and early postnatal) environmental exposures (nutritional deficiency, opioids) result in long-term neural gene dysregulation associated with altered epigenetic signatures. His lab employs cutting-edge technology (ATACseq/ChIPseq/Single-cell sequencing/exosomes) to probe these changes in cord blood stem cells and rodent hippocampal cells with an ultimate goal to establish non-invasive biomarkers for brain development and health. His other research interests include molecular mechanisms regulating post-operative pain, neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor chaperones.
Research Summary
Our research activities focus on two major goals. First, we investigate the long-term effects of early-life iron deficiency on hippocampal function. Iron deficiency is a major global health concern that affects conservatively 2 billion individuals worldwide, including about 30% of pregnant women and pre-school age children.It is well established that early-life iron deficiency has long lasting negative effects on cognition and socio-emotional behaviors in humans despite prompt iron treatment following diagnosis.These long-term effects constitute a significant cost to society in terms of educational attainment, job potential, and mental health.Thus, understanding at the cellular and molecular level how early iron deficiency affects brain development in animal models may lead to important insights into alternative therapeutic development to prevent and treat at risk pregnancies and children with iron deficiency. Second, we investigate the biological role of TMEM35A (NACHO) in the nervous system. TMEM35A has been shown to function as a chaperone for neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which have been implicated in neuropathologies and psychopathologies (e.g., addiction, pain, Autism, Alzheimer, and schizophrenia). Defining the precise molecular function of this novel chaperone using a gene knockout mouse model and drug treatment is promising in defining new mechanisms and pathways that regulate cognition, pain, and addictive behaviors.The work may lead to new strategies to improving quality of life and productivity.
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric NeonatologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-401
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Research Summary
Our lab is interested in dissecting the role of the microbiome in the development of neural circuits and behaviors in health and neurodevelopmental disorders. We will use interdisciplinary approaches to identify and characterize the mechanisms of interaction between microbes and host neural cells. We will use a longitudinal approach to track and investigate direct and long-term effects of microbially-derived molecules on brain development in utero and early postnatal life, and adult neural circuits. We aim to leverage the microbiome for diagnoses and therapeutic potential in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Education
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric NeonatologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-401
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Bio
Dr. Anne White is a newborn ICU doctor who enjoys taking care of newborns and their families. She is from Ohio and completed her medical training there prior to her recent move to the University of Minnesota. She is excited to be here!
Dr. White's academic work is aimed at decreasing neonatal infections locally as well as in low-resource settings. She has long standing interest in global health with more than a decade of experience and has worked with partners in Kenya and Malawi to develop infection control strategies to reduce neonatal infections.
Research Summary
Neonatal infections, infection control, global health
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Pediatric NeonatologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-401
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Administrative Contact
Jen Beckman
Administrative Phone: 612-626-6129
Administrative Email: jbeckman@umn.edu
Bio
Dr. Rachel E. Witt is an Assistant Professor in Pediatrics. She is from Northwestern Wisconsin originally, spent significant time abroad while growing up, and was delighted to return to this region in 2022. Dr. Witt is a neonatologist, and she cares for critically ill infants and their families in the neonatal intensive care unit. She is also the Pathway Build Lead for the Urban Community Health Pathway, which is part of the new University of Minnesota Medical School curriculum focused on health disparities and equity. Her research area is in perinatal health services, with special focus on the impact of racism on neonatal intensive care.
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Contact
Address
Pediatric NeonatologyAcademic Office Building
2450 Riverside Ave S AO-401
Minneapolis, MN 55454