Pediatrics Research

a person working with lab equipment

Research-Driven Discoveries

Transforming child health through groundbreaking research.

Advancing Pediatric Research

The U-M Medical School Department of Pediatrics stands among the top 15 departments nationally for NIH funding, with a robust research portfolio exceeding $40 million in active awards. Our faculty, trainees, and students are united by a mission to advance scientific understanding of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of childhood diseases—and to translate these discoveries into improved health care for children everywhere.

A Thriving Research Environment

Faculty, residents and fellows benefit from a wealth of mentorship and collaboration opportunities—both within our department and across the Medical School and wider University of Michigan community.

Faculty in the Department contribute to this mission by performing research along the entire spectrum of clinical and translational research – from basic scientific discovery in the laboratory, community and clinic to the translation of these discoveries to patients and to practice. Faculty have access to a wide range of mentors and collaborators within the department, medical school and university to pursue interests in basic science, translational, clinical and health services research as well as education and quality improvement.

Areas of Research

We foster a dynamic research culture that spans the full spectrum of pediatric inquiry, including:

  • Basic Science
  • Translational Medicine
  • Clinical Research
  • Health Services Research
  • Medical Education
  • Quality Improvement Initiatives
Research & Mentoring Opportunities

• Core research facilities for both basic and clinical research

• Statistical and data collection support

• Intramural funding opportunities

• Faculty development launch committees

• Grant review programs

• Clinical research design and statistical analysis

• Educational leadership

• K-award training

• R-award boot camps

Our Centers & Programs

M-CHORD

The Michigan Congenital Heart Outcomes Research and Discovery (M-CHORD) is composed of multi-disciplinary faculty members from pediatric cardiology, cardiac surgery, critical care, genetics, nephrology and psychology, along with a dedicated staff of research nurses, study coordinators, database programmers and a biostatistician.

Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health

The C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health measures the public’s opinions, perceptions and priorities regarding today’s most important child health issues and trends. These findings inform new policy initiatives and research on important concerns facing kids today.

Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center

The Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center at the University of Michigan is one of the largest health services research centers that focuses on children, conducting research and training across several core themes that include data science, emerging technologies, health outcomes research, health care policy, and communications.

Woodson Children's Clinical Research Lab

The Charles Woodson Children's Clinical Research (CWCCR) Lab, managed by the U-M Medical School Department of Pediatrics, provides children's health research investigators with core facilities for the preparation and short-term storage of biological specimens. 

The CWCCR Lab is open to the Department of Pediatrics research faculty and staff involved in children's health research. Faculty and staff can contact the lab coordinating manager for questions about the lab. For internal lab resources, visit the Pediatrics Intranet. 

Publications & Grants

Discover more about the Department of Pediatrics grants and publications.

View publications

Featured News & Stories

See all news
Young boy in purple t-shirt sits smiling in the grass on a sunny day.
Health Lab

From 20 seizures a day to more time for play: How personalized epilepsy care helped young patient

Advanced genetic testing and a detailed diagnosis revealed infant’s rare epilepsy, leading to a non-conventional therapy.
Closeup of newborn baby, whose head is held by a blue medical gloved hand. Blue gloved hand also holds a stethoscope to baby's chest.
Health Lab

More babies with hypoplastic left heart syndrome surviving critical period between surgeries

Collaborative effort helped sustain improvements in survival for babies born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a serious congenital heart condition that requires multiple surgeries.
Boy in white t-shirt, just chin showing, with hands holding a stethoscope on his chest.
Health Lab

Distance, insurance, social factors may hinder access to lifesaving heart monitoring for children

New research suggests that social, economic and geographic factors may influence whether patients who undergo the Fontan surgery for complex congenital heart disease receive the recommended lifelong cardiac monitoring.
2026 Faculty and Staff Awards
Medical School News

Nine from Medical School honored as part of annual Faculty and Staff Awards

Michigan Medicine recently announced its 2026 Faculty and Staff Awards. This year’s recipients include nine winners with Medical School appointments, including seven faculty and two staff members. This year’s Faculty and Staff Awards ceremony will be Dec. 3 at the Jack Roth Stadium Club in Michigan Stadium
Portrait of Dr. Rosen smiling and seated at a table.
Philanthropy News

Continuing the legacy of a doctor’s doctor

As he faced a serious cancer diagnosis, David Rosen, M.D, made a gift to the U-M Division of Adolescent Medicine that will continue his legacy for decades to come.
Health Lab

4 ways to teach your teen safe driving habits

New motorists cause a disproportionate number of distracted driving accidents. That’s why laying the groundwork for safe habits must begin before your teen gets the keys.