Welcome to the NiiCE community! Our center for exploration is a dynamic group of researchers and clinicians that is focused on improving the health of infants (and in some cases older children and adults!). We mainly study disorders that impact the gastrointestinal tract or the immune system, and we often use rare diseases as models to try and gain insights into the roles of various genes and proteins in maintaining normal health. We care about the health of both premature and term-born babies, and want to improve outcomes across the spectrum of the newborn and infant time periods.
The first year of life carries a high risk of mortality compared to older children and young adults. While the risk of death in infancy has fallen in the last 70+ years due to a wide variety of public health measures and improvements in newborn care, the risk is still significant. We are dedicated to further improving the rates of morality and long term health problems due to neonatal and infant diseases.
In addition to our research mission, we also are on a scientific mission to improve science accessibility. Often times doctors and scientists have important things to share but they are not produced in a format that is accessible for the average person. We are aiming to change that, and to make our science and the science of others more understandable and relevant to everyday people from all backgrounds. Along with this goal, we want to make science careers more accessible to people from diverse backgrounds. Not only diverse ethnicities and cultures, but also diverse socioeconomic, educational, and family backgrounds. If everyone in science comes from the same financial demographic and has similar life experiences, we are limited in the ability to generate new perspectives and unique approaches to our problems. Our center is founded on a rich culture of diversity and accessibility.
Comments? Questions? Please reach out to us.