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Our researchers

The Pain Division has a nucleus of researchers interested in pediatric pain and a range of related topics that has been working closely with the Office of the Vice Chair for Research since 2020. Dr. Holmes uses neuroimaging, machine learning, and molecular genetics to understand how nociception translates into pain perception in pediatric cohorts. Dr. Kossowsky works to develop mobile health solutions to behavioral, sleep, pain, and cognitive issues in pediatric inpatient and natural settings. Dr. Moulton studies the human central nervous system mechanisms that underly pain, particularly relating to oculofacial pain and related disorders, using neuroimaging and psychophysical techniques. Dr. Upadhyay's lab utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to understand the biobehavioral basis of pain and neuropsychiatric symptoms in pediatric and adult patient populations. Assisted by departmental support for their individual research programs, these investigators have achieved considerable success in obtaining independent extramural funding, including support from foundations, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the Veterans’ Affairs Administration, and industry. This success has been accompanied by prolific output in publications and presentations.

A man and woman practicing a lung procedure

Advanced Airway Management Team

The Advanced Airway Management Team at Boston Children’s Hospital are clinical researchers from the Main Operating Room Division. The team is comprised of Drs. Mary Lyn Stein, Raymond Park, James Peyton, Stephen Flynn, Chinyere Egbuta and is led by Dr. Pete Kovatsis. The research focuses on best airway management practices for children undergoing anesthesia and are a prominent team in leading paradigm changing international research that has positively impacted the care and improved safety of children and babies during airway management. They were cofounders of the Pediatric Difficult Intubation Collaborative, an international consortium of clinical and research leaders in pediatric airway management. Since its inception, the team has multiple publications in leading journals including The Lancet. Their latest publication is a prospective randomized clinical trial in the Christmas Edition of the British Medical Journal and a feature article in the New York Times. The work focused on conducting just-in-time simulation coaching on a manikin within one hour of delivering a neonate or infant anesthetic and found a 10% statistically significant improvement in first-attempt success rate among trainee clinical intubations. The study was one of the largest ever conducted to show a direct correlation between delivering a warmup simulation and clinical improvement for a high-risk procedure. It serves as an important proof of concept in reconceptualizing training dyads and integrating patient safety in clinical workflows. It was funded by the department's Anesthesia Research Distinguished Trailblazer Award and supported by the Pediatric Anesthesia Research Center (PARC) team. The group hopes to continue their success in the field of airway management including conducting similar best practice quality improvement research in the future. 

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