Research Opportunities
In addition to clinical training, fellows participate in academic activity to contribute to the fund of knowledge in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. Fellows gain experience in and an appreciation for scholarly activity while fulfilling requirements for board certification. Academic activities may involve clinical or basic science research projects, quality improvement/quality assurance, development of educational tools or an extensive critical topical review in the order of a Cochrane review. A fellow's scholarly activities are expected to culminate in a scholarly product, e.g. first author paper, work product, etc.
The fellow will be matched with a project mentor(s), introduced to available resources, and have protected time for research projects. By the end of the three-year fellowship, the fellow should have presented their work at a national meeting and have a manuscript ready for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.
Examples of recent fellows' scholarly activities
- Intestinal alkaline phosphatase as a biomarker for diagnosis of NEC
- Maternal Hypertension's effect on the neonatal CBC
- Effects of antibiotics on the neonatal microbiome
- Safe sleep QI project
- Unplanned extubation QI project
- Creation of a feeding protocol
- Creation of a NOWS protocol
Presentations
There are many opportunities for fellows to present their scholarly work at local, regional and national meetings:
1. Southern Society of Pediatric Research
2. LSU Department of Pediatrics Research Day
3. LSUHSC Forum for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
4. Louisiana State Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Recent NICU Division Awards
2022
LSU QI Forum: Best Oral Presentation 2022
Improving Critical Patient Transitions from OR to NICU Using a Standardized Handoff Tool. Marie Bulathsinghala, MD, PhD, C. Mumphrey, MD, B. Barkemeyer, MD, J. Zagory, MD, L. Richard, RN, K. Vincent, RN, D. Sciacca, J. Gallois, MD
2021
LSU Pediatric Research Day 2021: Best Original Research Presentation by a Fellow
Novel biomarkers for early and accurate detection of a fatal gut inflammatory disease in preemie babies. Anne Tufton, MD
LSU QI Forum: Best Oral Presentation 2021
Implementing a Golden Hour Protocol to Decrease the Rate of Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage. Peter Joslyn, MD and Staci Olister, MD
2019
Southern Society for Pediatric Research: Trainee Travel Award
Heath, M; Buckley, R; Gerber, Z; Davis, P; Barkemeyer, B; Good, M. Penn, D. Kim, S. “Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase As a Diagnostic Biomarker for Necrotizing Enterocolitis.” Journal of Investigative Medicine 67 (2), 2019.
Poster Presentation, Pediatric Academic Society Annual Meeting: 2019 Fellow Clinical Research Award
Heath, M; Buckley, R; Gerber, Z; Davis, P; Barkemeyer, B; Good, M. Penn, D. Kim, S. “Biochemical Switch in Postnatal Development is Associated with Risk and Age of Onset for Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis.”
2018
LSU Pediatric Research Day 2018: Best Original Research Presentation by a Fellow
Quality Improvement Initiatives Improve Safe Sleep Practices in the NICU. Julie Gallois, MD.
LSU QI Forum: Best Oral Presentation
Quality Improvement Initiatives Improve Safe Sleep Practices in the NICU. Julie Gallois, MD.