Scientific Center for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Research

Pediatric Oncology

Dr. Ching Lau, a pediatric hematologist oncologist at Connecticut Children’s, conducts research that explores personalized medicine approaches in pediatric oncology. The Lau Lab uses a combination of genomic technologies and mouse modeling to understand the changes in gene expression that underlie various types of pediatric cancers. Researchers identify and validate biomarkers that could be utilized to clinically predict patient responses to therapy and outcomes. Some of these genetic changes are tested as potential therapeutic targets that, when validated, will ultimately lead to clinical trials.  

Dr. Joanna Gell is a physician-scientist with expertise in germ cell tumor research. The Gell Lab utilizes stem cell models to evaluate how alternations in germ cell development lead to diseases like cancer. Her recent work includes the development of a liquid biopsy platform for intracranial germ cell tumors utilizing cerebrospinal fluid. 

Hematological/Oncological Disorders

Dr. Mike Isakoff is the site Primary Investigator for Children’s Oncology Group, an international consortium of pediatric oncology centers which conducts Phase I, II, and III clinical trials and biology studies for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer. Dr. Isakoff, in partnership with his scientific and medical collaborators world-wide, pursues vital investigative research to identify cancer pathologies in disorders such as bone sarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma and rare tumors, and works to develop treatment models for children and families.
Dr. Siddika Mulchan is a physician-scientist whose current research focuses on improving health outcomes for youth with Sickle Cell Disease.  She is evaluating the communication skills of health care providers and the communication needs of sickle cell patients to identify best practices for care in order to improve health outcomes for youth with this challenging disease.

Survivorship and Adolescent & Young Adult Research

The Survivorship Lab features scientists who pursue research to improve the lives of children, adolescents, and young adults who have been treated with cancer-related therapies.  Key research areas of the Lab include fertility, sexual and reproductive health, cardiotoxicity, and ototoxicity.  

Dr. Natasha Frederickis an NIH funded researcher who is currently completing a National Cancer Institute study to analyze and improve sexual and reproductive health-related communication and counseling for adolescent and young adults undergoing cancer treatment. Dr. Frederick utilizes stakeholder input from young adult cancer patients to develop, refine, and assess a novel patient-centered communication intervention that enhances sexual and reproductive health conversations between these patients and their oncology clinicians, with a goal of increasing access to this critical education for clinicians and patients across the cancer continuum.

Dr. Olga Toro-Salazar is a cardiologist whose research focuses on better understanding and reducing cardiotoxicty-related outcomes in childhood cancer survivors.  With expertise in medical imaging, Dr. Toro-Salazar works closely with exercise physiologists, cardiologists, and oncologists to map cardiotoxic exposure for children who have previously had chemotherapy and to identify interventions like exercise that improve long-term outcomes for these cancer survivors.