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Nutrition and the GI environment in the neonate have major effects not only during infancy, but for the entire lifetime of the individual, and this can even span generations due to epigenetic effects. Our lab has several ongoing projects that involve the requirements for certain amino acids such as glutamine and arginine in very low birthweight infants, the effect of various nutrients on subsequent development of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, the effect of the intestinal commensal microflora and probiotics on intestinal development, and the effects of novel nutritional agents on retinal diseases such as retinopathy of prematurity. Our work spans from evaluation of basic mechanisms of nutrients in cell cultures, studies in animal models and translation of these to and from studies in human infants.

Most recent research interests include developing an updated taxonomy of intestinal injuries frequently termed necrotizing enterocolitis, precision nutrition using artificial intelligence and multiomics, and is the principal investigator of the Connection Trial, an international prospective randomized trial designed to decrease major morbidities and mortality in preterm infants.