Health equity research
The overarching goal of the Sandra L. Fenwick Institute for Pediatric Health Equity and Inclusion’s research program is to advance pediatric health equity, nationally and globally, through original research, best practices, and translation into health policies that can lead to more equitable care and outcomes for all children.
By focusing on research, we are developing new analytical approaches for conducting pediatric health equity research as well as novel approaches for performing pediatric research.
Approach to health equity research
The Fenwick Institute advances pediatric health equity research by:
- Developing and embedding embedding sound equity, diversity, and inclusion methodology practices into all aspects of pediatric research.
- Providing research research collaboration for both early career and experienced researchers to conduct rigorous, well designed, high-impact, and meaningful pediatric health equity research.
- Funding pediatric health equity research through Fenwick Institute Diversity in Pediatric Clinical Research Awards and other funding opportunities.
- Translating research findings into best practices that can be implemented, scaled, and sustained to increase inclusion, create equitable access, and reduce inequities in pediatric healthcare.
- Convening multi-disciplinary experts to share insights, collaborate, publish, and disseminate knowledge that advances pediatric health equity and inclusion.
- Fostering the next generation of pediatric health equity researchers.
Health equity research initiatives
The Fenwick Institute sponsors and funds several programs dedicated to advancing pediatric health equity research.
Faculty Research Scholars Program
The Fenwick Institute Faculty Research Scholars Program nurtures diversity in academic research by supporting opportunities for scholars to conduct and lead research.
Diversity in Pediatric Clinical Research Awards
These two-year grants are awarded to accelerate research in Pediatric Health Equity. The grant requires the Primary Investigator to mentor a student during the second summer of the award.
Inaugural Recipient
Annapurna (Ann) Poduri, MD, MPH
Director, Neurogenetics Program; Director, Epilepsy Genetics Program Associate Chief for Academic Development, Department of Neurology Diamond Blackfan Chair in Neuroscience Research, Boston Children’s Hospital Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School
Project: Improving Access to Precision Medicine for Patients with Epilepsy from Populations Underrepresented in Biomedical Research
Dr. Poduri is the inaugural recipient of the Fenwick Institute’s Seed Grant Program. Through her multi-disciplinary program, she has identified many genetic causes for epilepsy and other neurodevelopmental disorders, including a novel discovery in the area of somatic mutation in pediatric brain disease. Her collaborative research has been supported by the NIH and several foundations. Her contributions and mentorship have been recognized through honors from the American Neurological Association and American Academy of Neurology. The Harvard Club of Boston named her one of the Most Influential Women in 2020.