Research

University Pediatricians | Michigan

The Central Michigan University/University Pediatricians
Clinical Research Institute (CRI) is the nexus for clinical and preclinical research at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan

At University Pediatricians in Detroit, research isn’t separate from care. It’s how we move pediatric medicine forward. Through our work at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, physician-scientists lead innovative clinical and translational research focused on preventing, diagnosing, and treating childhood disease.

For more than 25 years, our research program has advanced discoveries that expand access to cutting-edge therapies, improve outcomes for children, and shape the future of pediatric care in our community and beyond.

Our History

The CRI (formerly the Children’s Research Center of Michigan (CRCM)) was established in 1996 with a mandate to “advance knowledge in the science and art of medicine in order to improve methods to prevent, cure and treat childhood diseases.”

Learn More

For more than 25 years, the CRI has proudly provided the support and resources necessary for our faculty and clinician-scientists to develop novel treatments and cures that positively impact the lives of their young patients and families in the Detroit community.

The Central Michigan University College of Medicine has, since January 1st 2020, served as the academic partner for the CRI, and shares the passion of the institute and its faculty in the tireless pursuit of this goal. This partnership has enabled the CRI to expand the scope of our impact to children throughout south-central Michigan.

Our Mission & Vision

To serve as a preeminent center of excellence for pediatric research that will advance clinical care, provide children and their families with access to cutting-edge treatment options, and improve the lives of children in Detroit and beyond.

Our Team

Karin Przyklenk, PhD

Scientific Director & Carman and Ann Adams Endowed Chair in Pediatric Research
Professor of Pediatric Science

Gwyn Kropp

Executive Director

Karen Pilarski

Associate Director, Sponsored Program Services

Jason Czachor

Associate Director, Clinical Research Services

Jordynn Laudenslager

Clinical Research Coordinator

Katherine Kneen

Budget Analyst

Ronald Thomas, PhD

Senior Biostatistician

Karen Cason

Administrative Assistant

Learn more about our Approach

Our Approach

The CRI is dedicated to providing our talented cadre of clinician-scientists and trainees with a comprehensive and seamless network of support that will assist in:

– planning, developing and executing research proposals that have the potential to transform the field;
– disseminating the outcomes of this cutting-edge research to the global scientific community; and
– translating these discoveries to advance pediatric patient care.

Core Services Include:

– Consultation on grant preparation, including identification of funding sources and communication as required with potential sponsors;
– Mentorship, training and support on all aspects of research design, protocol execution, data collection and management, statistical analysis, and dissemination of results in peer-reviewed manuscripts and at top-tier symposia and conferences; and
– Grant administration (including pre- and post-award management), together with regulatory assistance and oversight.

Our Partners

– The CRI and its faculty and staff are proudly affiliated with Central Michigan University.
– The CRI gratefully acknowledges the generous support provided by The Children’s Foundation, the Festival of Trees and the Evergreen Endowment.

The CRI has a Direct Impact on the Health of Children in Detroit: Spotlight on COVID-19

The CRI, in partnership with the Children’s Foundation, ‘touches’ all research conducted at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Our research has yielded substantial benefits to children in our community and beyond. For example, our faculty are contributing to state-of-the-art discoveries aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19:

Dr. Usha Sethuraman

A pediatric emergency medicine physician, is co-leader of a prestigious federally funded study seeking to identify children at high risk of developing serious and life-threatening COVID-19-related disease.

Dr. Jocelyn Ang

An infectious disease specialist and Detroit ‘Health Care Hero’, is at the forefront of the development of new treatments for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a severe consequence of COVID-19 in young patients.

Dr. Sabrina Heidemann

An expert in pediatric critical care, partnered with colleagues across the nation to demonstrate the ability of COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the most serious consequences of COVID in adolescents, including hospitalization, admission to the intensive care unit, the need for life support, and death. This landmark study was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and has been published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.

Additional Resources

To view more information about research resources, see below:

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