Mechanisms of Progressionof Atopic Dermatitis to Asthma in Children (MPAACH): Jocelyn Biagini, PhD; Gurjit K. Khurana Hershey, MD, PhD

Our NIH-funded early life cohort of children with atopic dermatitis (Mechanisms of Progression of Atopic Dermatitis to Asthma in Children cohort, MPAACH) led by Biagini surpassed its enrollment goal of 600 children. MPAACH is the first U.S.-based early life cohort of children with atopic dermatitis. The goals of the cohort are to carefully define atopic dermatitis phenotypes and endotypes, dissect the mechanisms that contribute to the progression of atopic dermatitis to other allergic disorders (food allergy, allergic rhinitis, asthma), and to identify novel biomarkers that identify children at high risk for the development of asthma and wheezing. The design of MPAACH is to delineate immunologic, skin, biome, physiologic, genetic, genomic, epigenetic, and environmental factors that promote the development of allergic comorbidities in children with atopic dermatitis.

Environmental Determinants of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Tesfaye Mersha, PhD; Eric Brandt, PhD

Brandt and Mersha published “Environmental Determinants of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)" in Current Allergy and Asthma Reports. This review provides a critical assessment of COVID-19 risk factors, identifies gaps in our knowledge (e.g., indoor air pollution), and discusses methodological challenges of association and causation and the impact lockdowns had on air quality.

Associate Editor Human Genomics Tesfaye Mersha, PhD

The leading journal Human Genomics appointed Mersha as an associate editor. Human Genomics is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that focuses on the application of genomic analysis in all aspects of human health and disease, as well as genomic analysis of drug efficacy and safety, and comparative genomics.

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Mechanisms of Asthma and Allergic Inflammation Interest Section Abstract Award: Stanley DeVore

Stanley DeVore, an MSTP (combined MD / PhD) student in the Division of Asthma Research, is a recipient of the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology Inflammation Interest Section Abstract Award for his pioneering work with Khurana Hershey on the role of CARD14 in skin homeostasis. Each interest section of the AAAAI selects one abstract for this prestigious award.

Fall 2020 Digital Health Merit Award Melinda Butsch Kovacic, MPH, PhD

Butsch Kovacic received the Fall 2020 Digital Health Merit Award for the “WE4H” Coronavirus Learning Companion”. Cincinnati Children’s Inspire Magazine featured her work entitled “Data-Powered Stories Improve Health and Science Literacy in Cincinnati Communities” in May 2021. We Engage for Health is an academic-community partnership with Miami University, the University of Cincinnati, and the Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses Community Center focusing initially on residents of all ages living in Cincinnati’s West End and similar under-resourced neighborhoods. The project features community co-designed stories and engaging learning experiences focused on health science, research, and citizen science.