 | Joseph "Marc" Majure, MD Co-Principal Investigator VDORA1 - Protocol Chair
POPs - PI
MoVeUP App - PI Dr. Majure is Professor of Pediatrics and Suzanne T. Miller Chair in Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine at UMMC and serves as the Principal Investigator and domain expert for upper and lower airway disease for Mississippi’s ECHO ISPCTN clinical site. His clinical experience includes the private practice of general medicine and general pediatrics in rural Mississippi prior to training in Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine. He has been a practicing pulmonologist, educator, and clinical research for the last 30 years. While at Duke University, he established the Pediatric Pulmonary Clinical Research Program and Laboratory and has been Principal Investigator on multiple clinical trials in each phase of research. His contributions to science have centered on bringing new therapies to individuals with respiratory disease in both observational studies and later phase clinical trials. |
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 | Charlotte V. Hobbs, MD Co-Principal Investigator Senior Faculty Development Leader Dr. Hobbs is a Professor of Pediatric Infectious Disease and Microbiology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), Children's of Mississippi. She completed her fellowship in Pediatric Infectious Disease at New York University/Langone Medical Center and Bellevue Hospital in New York, NY. She was then awarded a position in NIAID's Transition Program in Clinical Research as an Assistant Clinical Investigator in the Laboratory for Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology. During her 5 years at the NIH, she established a truly translational research program, having investigated the immunological and pharmacological effects of HIV drugs in animal and in vitro models of malaria infection as well as through clinical studies in Lilongwe, Malawi and Rakai District, Uganda. Currently, she continues work in this vein with collaborators at NIH. In parallel to this work, she is conducting epidemiologic studies in Mississippi, performing surveillance in children for soil-transmitted helminths infections, in collaboration with the CDC. With the COVID-19 pandemic, she has initiated pediatric safety studies in schools and seroprevalence studies which have had significant impact on school re-opening guidelines. Dr. Hobbs is PI of the Overcoming COVID-19 CDC/Harvard study at UMMC, contributing to multiple recent high level publications which aim to characterize SARS CoV2 in children. In addition and within this context, she is also specifically leading the COVID-19 disease characterization in infants study as well as the multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) exposures study. Overall, her work aims to benefit children from resource limited settings, as parasitic infections such as soil-transmitted helminths tend to occur more frequently in these settings, in parallel to her work in pediatric COVID-19, which she believes remains a neglected disease (under-research and explored, with great biological and social impact) within our pediatric populations. Dr. Hobbs believes that her experience in various academic centers, from NYU/Bellevue to NIH to now UMMC, in addition to her experience working both internationally and domestically in global health as a physician scientist, lends itself well to collaboration with ISPCTN. |
 | Lauren Tucker, MD
Co-Investigator
ESC NOW – Site PI Dr. Tucker is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) and a co-investigator of the Mississippi Pediatric Clinical Trials Network (MPCTN). She is the site Principal Investigator for the IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trial Network (ISPCTN) NIH funded study entitled “Eating, Sleeping, Consoling for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal (ESC-NOW): A Function-Based Assessment and Management Approach.” She currently serves as a Neonatal Hospitalist in the Newborn Nursery, Mother Baby Unit, and Intermediate Care Nursery at Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants and Children’s of Mississippi. Dr. Tucker received her medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and completed her Pediatric Residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. |
 | David Josey, MD
Co-Investigator
VDORA1 – Site PI David Josey Jr M.D. is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and is a Pediatric pulmonologist at the University of Mississippi Medical center. He is Currently the Site PI for the Vitamin D Oral Replacement in Asthma (VDORA1-1) trial as well as the site PI for an anti-pseudomal drug regiment for Cystic Fibrosis. He has been the Site PI for multiple industry supported clinical trials, and is active in Quality improvement research having presented at various conferences and leading projects to improve the care of Cystic Fibrosis patients at the CF center. |
 | Kim Adcock, PharmD
Research Pharmacist
VDORA1 Kim G. Adcock is a Professor with Tenure in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy and Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine. She currently serves as the Director of Faculty and Academic Affairs for the Department of Pharmacy Practice. From 2002-2016, Dr. Adcock also served as the Director of Pediatric Clinical Research for the Department of Pediatrics until she transitioned to a liaison position for clinical research between the Oxford and Jackson campuses for the University of Mississippi and now serves as the clinical director for the Center for Clinical and Translational Science within the School of Pharmacy. Through her vision as Director of Pediatric Clinical Research, she provided the infrastructure to build an active clinical research program that conducted over 100 clinical trials evaluating the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of medications and devices in the pediatric and adult populations and over $2,025,000.00 in funding. In addition, she serves as the Institutional Review Board chair for the University of Mississippi Medical Center, a consultant to the University of Mississippi Medical Center Investigational Drug Services and research pharmacist on numerous research protocols. As clinical director for the Center for Clinical and Translational Science, she has developed partnerships with local pharmacies that supports the Center’s investigator-initiated research program. |
 | Josh Fleming, PharmD
Research Pharmacist
VDORA1 Dr. Joshua Fleming is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy. In his role with the school, he serves as the Director of the PGY-2 Ambulatory Care Residency Program, and currently assists in the care of pediatric and adult patients with cystic fibrosis at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Fleming obtained his PharmD from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2010. From there, he went on to complete a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Campbell University in 2011 and a PGY-2 Ambulatory Care Residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2012. He is currently involved with several pharmacy organizations including the Mississippi Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. |
 | Mechelle Keeton, PhD Community Liaison Coordinator Mechelle Keeton is the Network Development Director for the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Mechelle started the Office of Physician Relations almost 15 years ago to monitor and strengthen UMMC’s relationships with the external physician community throughout the state. Her areas of outreach are adult abdominal transplant, maternal and fetal medicine specialists and Children’s of Mississippi. Mechelle received her doctorate degree in Clinical Health Science from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. |
 | Anita Dhanrajani, MD
Early Stage Investigator
Dr. Dhanrajani is an Assistant Professor of Pediatric Rheumatology at UMMC since August 2020. Her clinical training in Canada included a fellowship in Pediatric Rheumatology, childhood vasculitis including Kawasaki disease and Childhood lupus. She also has a Master’s degree in Health practitioner teacher education from the University of Toronto, Canada and is an enthusiast about education related to Pediatric Rheumatology. Her research contributions in the field of rheumatology including peer reviewed publications and textbook chapters are focused on lupus, childhood vasculitis and Cytokine storm syndrome. Her current research interests include studying mental health in childhood lupus and other childhood rheumatologic conditions, particularly in underserved populations. |
 | Hannah Ford, PhD Co-Investigator Dr. Ford is a pediatric psychologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She completed her doctoral degree at the University of Maine prior to attending her internship at Indiana University School of Medicine and Postdoctoral Fellowship at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Dr. Ford’s clinical and research interests include working with children with chronic medical concerns and she has specific interests in the areas of pediatric pain management and sleep. |
 | Emily Fratesi, RN Clinical Research Nurse After receiving my RN license in early 2007, I began my career as a staff nurse on a women's medical unit at St. Dominic hospital. In late 2007, I transferred to the University of Mississippi Medical Center's Intermediate Care Nursery/Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where I have been a staff nurse for the past thirteen years. In May of 2018, I earned my Low Risk Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing Certification. I look forward to learning more about research and having a positive impact on children here in Mississippi, while contributing information to ECHO ISPCTN which in turn will positively impact children throughout the U.S. |
 | Taylor Fry Research Coordinator I currently serve as a Researcher II at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) and a research coordinator for the ECHO NIH IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network (ISPCTN). In 2020, I received my B.S. in Psychology from Jackson State University and I am currently a candidate for a M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Jackson State University. Before starting this position, I served as a Mental Health Technician at Merit Health Central in Inpatient Adult Behavioral Health. I am currently enjoying my work in research and some of my research interests include, medical, healthcare, and life sciences, specifically relating to psychiatry and mental health, neuroscience, and preventative healthcare. |
 | Joyce "Joy" Holmes, BSN, RNIC-NIC Clinical Research Nurse - PRN I am a pediatric nurse working as needed for the Mississippi ISPCTN clinical site. I assist with the research nurse coordinator duties for the ISPCTN studies ESC NOW and VDORA1 and the PTN studies POP02 and LAP01. I received my ADN from Hinds Community College Allied Health Campus in December 2001 and obtained my RN license in January 2002. I began my nursing career at the University of Mississippi Medical Center as an RN in January 2002 in the Level IV NICU. I have also worked in area level II and III NICU’s. In 2016 I obtained certification through the NCC in Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing. In 2017 I received my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and also began working PRN with Newborn Research. In October 2018, I changed positions to begin working full-time as a pediatric research nurse in the Department of Pediatrics. The beginning of 2021 I went back to a full-time charge nurse position while still working with research, when needed. I enjoy working with kids of all ages and seeing their interest in and willingness to participate in research. |
 | Margaret McCaskill, BSN, RNC-NIC Clinical Research Nurse I am currently in my 26th year of nursing at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. I am a pediatric clinical research nurse for the Mississippi ISPCTN clinical site. I assist the research nurse coordinator, Joy Holmes, on the ISPCTN studies ESC NOW and VDORA1. I received my Associates Degree in Nursing from Hinds Community College Allied Health campus in December 1993 and my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in December 1999. In 2012, I obtained my certification in High Risk Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing. I began my nursing career in January 1994 in our state’s only level IV NICU at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. I have been a part of The Newborn Center for 26 years in various roles. I have also worked at other level II and III NICUs in our area. I began working PRN with Pediatric Research in January of this year. I look forward to expanding my knowledge by assisting in research. I am excited to be helping children of all ages live happier and healthier lives. |
 | Sandra Tyler, CCRP Clinical Research Regulatory Specialist I am a Clinical Research Regulatory Specialist and have worked with both pediatric and adult populations in clinical research at the University of Mississippi Medical Center for 13 years. I have been certified as a Clinical Research Professional through the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) for six years. I process regulatory documentation, maintain regulatory binders and process IRB applications for the ISPCTN studies. It is my pleasure to be a part of this network. |
 | Lacy Malloch Project Manager I function as the Project Manager for the Mississippi ISPCTN clinical site and manage the day to day operations from logistics to budgets and everything in between for each of the studies implemented through the network (ACT NOW: CE, VDORA1, ESC NOW, iAmHealthy, MoVeUP App, BREATHE), as well as our collaborative studies with the Pediatric Trials Network (POP01, LAP01). I have a degree in Child Development from Mississippi University for Women and returned to my home state in 2016 after Air Force relocations to Colorado, Arkansas, and North Carolina. I am proud to be a part of a network that aims to improve the lives and health of all children but especially Mississippi’s children. |
 | Aundria Price Research Coordinator My role is as Research Coordinator for the ISPCTN team. I am a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. I am excited to be a part of this network and work to improve the lives of children all over the state. |