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Immunology Research

Research Overview

Dr. Lisa Bartnikas is a Pediatric Allergist/Immunologist and clinical researcher at Boston Children’s Hospital with a particular interest in pediatric food allergy, especially as it relates to management and school policies.

Dr. Bartnikas is an NIH-funded investigator and her primary research focus is understanding the safety and psychosocial impact of school food allergy policies. This study prospectively evaluates the impact of school food allergy policies on environmental food allergen levels, rates of allergic reactions, and psychosocial stress in schoolchildren. This study is unique and novel because it will be the first to evaluate the impact of school policies on allergic reactions, psychosocial distress and environmental food allergen levels. Her initial data provided the first report of school peanut-free policies in Massachusetts and the impact of policies on epinephrine administration. She has published additional research on racial and socioeconomic differences in school peanut-free policies. Results from her ongoing research may lead to future clinical trials designed to prevent exposure and reduce allergic reactions and psychosocial distress. Trials to reduce the risk of allergic reactions and psychosocial distress would greatly impact society by informing school policies for children with food allergies.

Dr. Bartnikas also has a research interest in food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), with a focus on understanding the disease phenotypes and associated morbidity. She published one of the largest reports of the demographics of FPIES in a multi-center cohort, as well as the first study to comprehensively describe the psychosocial impact of FPIES on children and caregivers. In addition to her focus on food allergy clinical research, she maintains ongoing research interests in mechanistic aspects of allergic and immunologic diseases. She has investigated the role of IL-6 blockade in treatment of severe persistent asthma with evidence of TH2/TH17 inflammation, as well as the immunologic phenotypes and mechanisms of STAT2 deficiency, STAT3 gain-of-function, heterozygous FOXN1 variants, and pulmonary manifestations of CTLA-4 haploinsufficiency and LRBA deficiency. Dr. Bartnikas is also an investigator in several asthma clinical trials at Boston Children’s Hospital.

She is active in the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) national organization and created and co-chairs the Psychosocial Impact of Food Allergies workgroup within the Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee of the AAAAI. This workgroup published a study evaluating allergists’ knowledge and assessment of bullying among their food-allergic patients. The workgroup also recently completed a report describing the development of age-specific food allergy patient education handouts, highlighting important safety and psychosocial issues at each developmental stage.

Active Projects

2019-2024 - Evaluating the Impact of School Nut-Free Policies
NIH/NIAID K23 1 K23 AI143962
Role: Principal Investigator (with Dr. Wanda Phipatanakul as mentor)
The goal of this mentored career development award is to determine the impact of school nut-free policies on rates of allergic reactions, environmental nut protein levels and psychosocial distress.

Research Background

Dr. Bartnikas received her AB in Biology from Harvard College in 2001, graduating magna cum laude with highest honors. She received her MD from Boston University School of Medicine in 2005. She completed residency in Pediatrics at the Boston Combined Residency Program in 2008 and fellowship training in Allergy/Immunology at Boston Children’s Hospital from 2008-2011. She received a Certificate in Applied Biostatistics through the Harvard Catalyst Education Program (2019-2020), which provided training in biostatistics in medical research. Dr. Bartnikas is on staff as an Allergist/Immunologist at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Bartnikas is passionate about understanding the role of environmental exposures in childhood food allergy and anaphylaxis. Her long-term goal is to develop evidence-based policies to promote the safety and psychosocial well-being of children with food allergies.

Education

Undergraduate School

Harvard University
2001 Boston MA

Medical School

Boston University School of Medicine
2005 Boston MA

Internship

Boston Combined Residency Program (BCRP)
2006 Boston MA

Residency

Boston Combined Residency Program (BCRP)
2008 Boston MA

Residency

Boston Children's Hospital
2011 Boston MA

Publications

  1. Household Food Allergen Exclusion Practices and Food Allergy-Related Psychosocial Functioning. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Dec 02; 7(12):e2452646. View Abstract
  2. Current status and future directions in food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome: An NIAID workshop report of the June 22, 2022, virtual meeting. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2024 Nov 07. View Abstract
  3. Disparities in pediatric seafood allergy by social determinants of health. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2025 Jan; 13(1):241-243.e2. View Abstract
  4. Disparities in allergy and asthma prevalence among schoolteachers. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2025 Jan; 155(1):223-227. View Abstract
  5. Evaluation of dupilumab on the disease burden in children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis: A population-based cohort study. Allergy. 2024 Oct; 79(10):2748-2758. View Abstract
  6. Psychosocial Impact of Food Allergy on Children and Adults and Practical Interventions. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2024 03; 24(3):107-119. View Abstract
  7. Rethinking Immunological Risk: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Severe SARS-Cov-2 Infections in Individuals With Congenital Immunodeficiencies. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2023 11; 11(11):3391-3399.e3. View Abstract
  8. Parental awareness and management of bullying in children with food allergies. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2023 Oct; 11(10):3257-3259.e2. View Abstract
  9. Piloting a multidisciplinary group education session to support caregivers of children with food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES). J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2023 Oct; 11(10):3260-3262.e1. View Abstract
  10. Human inherited complete STAT2 deficiency underlies inflammatory viral diseases. J Clin Invest. 2023 06 15; 133(12). View Abstract
  11. Rethinking immunologic risk: a retrospective cohort study of severe SARS-CoV-2 infections in individuals with congenital immunodeficiencies. medRxiv. 2023 Jun 05. View Abstract
  12. Multifood allergy: More than meets the eye. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2023 05; 130(5):540-541. View Abstract
  13. Lupin allergy: Another member of the peanut gallery? Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2023 02; 130(2):149-150. View Abstract
  14. Social disparities in early childhood prevention and management of food allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2023 01; 151(1):37-41. View Abstract
  15. Monogenic early-onset lymphoproliferation and autoimmunity: Natural history of STAT3 gain-of-function syndrome. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2023 04; 151(4):1081-1095. View Abstract
  16. Creating a kinder world for children with food allergies: Lessons from the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2022 10; 129(4):397-398. View Abstract
  17. Are we missing food-protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome in adults? Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2023 03; 130(3):269-271. View Abstract
  18. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic and Mental Health-Related School-Nurse Visits in United States Schools. Acad Pediatr. 2023 04; 23(3):681-685. View Abstract
  19. The Development of Age-Based Food Allergy Educational Handouts for Caregivers and Patients: A Work Group Report of the AAAAI Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022 10; 10(10):2552-2558. View Abstract
  20. Atopic Dermatitis Mediates the Association Between an IL4RA Variant and Food Allergy in School-Aged Children. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022 08; 10(8):2117-2124.e4. View Abstract
  21. Food Allergies in Inner-City Schools: Addressing Disparities and Improving Management. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2022 10; 129(4):430-439. View Abstract
  22. Genetic diagnosis of immune dysregulation can lead to targeted therapy for interstitial lung disease: A case series and single center approach. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2022 07; 57(7):1577-1587. View Abstract
  23. HEPA filtration intervention in classrooms may improve some students' asthma. J Asthma. 2023 03; 60(3):479-486. View Abstract
  24. Effect of School Integrated Pest Management or Classroom Air Filter Purifiers on Asthma Symptoms in Students With Active Asthma: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2021 09 07; 326(9):839-850. View Abstract
  25. Food Allergy, Eating Disorders and Body Image. J Affect Disord Rep. 2021 Dec; 6. View Abstract
  26. Detection of Food Allergens in School and Home Environments of Elementary Students. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021 10; 9(10):3735-3743. View Abstract
  27. Pulmonary manifestations of immune dysregulation in CTLA-4 haploinsufficiency and LRBA deficiency. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2021 07; 56(7):2232-2241. View Abstract
  28. The evolution of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome: From a diagnosis that did not exist to a condition in need of answers. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2021 05; 126(5):489-497. View Abstract
  29. Predicting outcomes of baked egg and baked milk oral food challenges by using a ratio of food-specific IgE to total IgE. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021 04; 9(4):1750-1752.e1. View Abstract
  30. Asthma Prevalence and Mold Levels in US Northeastern Schools. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021 03; 9(3):1312-1318. View Abstract
  31. The Psychosocial Impact of Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020 Nov - Dec; 8(10):3508-3514.e5. View Abstract
  32. A Slice of Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES): Insights from 441 Children with FPIES as Provided by Caregivers in the International FPIES Association. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020 05; 8(5):1702-1709. View Abstract
  33. Fatal Anaphylaxis: Searching for Lessons from Tragedy. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020 01; 8(1):334-335. View Abstract
  34. Heterozygous FOXN1 Variants Cause Low TRECs and Severe T Cell Lymphopenia, Revealing a Crucial Role of FOXN1 in Supporting Early Thymopoiesis. Am J Hum Genet. 2019 09 05; 105(3):549-561. View Abstract
  35. Racial and socioeconomic differences in school peanut-free policies. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020 01; 8(1):340-342.e1. View Abstract
  36. Deficits and opportunities in allergists' approaches to food allergy-related bullying. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020 01; 8(1):343-345.e2. View Abstract
  37. A novel variant in STAT2 presenting with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2019 08; 144(2):611-613.e3. View Abstract
  38. Treatment of severe persistent asthma with IL-6 receptor blockade. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2019 May - Jun; 7(5):1639-1642.e4. View Abstract
  39. Reply. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2017 10; 140(4):1214-1215. View Abstract
  40. Impact of school peanut-free policies on epinephrine administration. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2017 Aug; 140(2):465-473. View Abstract
  41. Implementation of a Standardized Clinical Assessment and Management Plan (SCAMP) for Food Challenges. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2017 Mar - Apr; 5(2):335-344.e3. View Abstract
  42. Mutation of the Glucosinolate Biosynthesis Enzyme Cytochrome P450 83A1 Monooxygenase Increases Camalexin Accumulation and Powdery Mildew Resistance. Front Plant Sci. 2016; 7:227. View Abstract
  43. Ovomucoid specific immunoglobulin E as a predictor of tolerance to cooked egg. Allergy Rhinol (Providence). 2015 Jan; 6(3):198-204. View Abstract
  44. How mothers and fathers perceive childhood food allergies: comparing apples to oranges? Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2015 Feb; 114(2):77-8. View Abstract
  45. Turning up the heat on skin testing for baked egg allergy. Clin Exp Allergy. 2013 Oct; 43(10):1095-6. View Abstract
  46. Ovomucoid is not superior to egg white testing in predicting tolerance to baked egg. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2013 Jul-Aug; 1(4):354-60. View Abstract
  47. Epicutaneous sensitization results in IgE-dependent intestinal mast cell expansion and food-induced anaphylaxis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013 Feb; 131(2):451-60.e1-6. View Abstract
  48. Predicting food challenge outcomes for baked milk: role of specific IgE and skin prick testing. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2012 Nov; 109(5):309-313.e1. View Abstract
  49. Sublingual desensitization for buprenorphine hypersensitivity. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010 Apr; 125(4):938-9. View Abstract
  50. Sesame allergy: role of specific IgE and skin-prick testing in predicting food challenge results. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2009 Nov-Dec; 30(6):643-8. View Abstract
  51. A simple procedure for the analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms facilitates map-based cloning in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiol. 2000 Dec; 124(4):1483-92. View Abstract
  52. Three unique mutants of Arabidopsis identify eds loci required for limiting growth of a biotrophic fungal pathogen. Plant J. 2000 Oct; 24(2):205-18. View Abstract

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