Established with the support of the Riley Children’s Foundation, the Child Health Research Institute was created to bring together pediatric investigators who share a commitment to advancing child health through scientific discovery, innovation, and collaboration. By building a unified and collaborative research community, we aim to accelerate research that transforms care to improve the health and well-being of children and their families.
Child Health Research Institute
Upcoming events
View upcoming events in the Department of Pediatrics.
Child Health Research Institute Structure
The Child Health Research Institute is comprised of four main research centers within the Department of Pediatrics. Learn more about each center below.
Wells Center for Pediatric Research
Led by Reuben Kapur, PhD, the Wells Center conducts basic science research seeking answers to the most pressing questions related to childhood illness.
Translational Research
Led by Ben Gaston, MD, the Pediatric Translational and Engineering Center is housed within the Wells Center and engages in pediatric focused translation research.
Clinical Trials and Clinical Research
Led by Erick Forno, MD, MPH, the Center for Clinical Trials and Clinical Research (CCTR) is designed to promote collaborative multidisciplinary research to advance discoveries that directly impact clinical care.
Children’s Health Services Research
Led by Matt Aalsma, PhD, MA, the Division of Children's Health Services Research conducts research in four priority areas, including informatics, implementation science, community engagement, and systems and policy analysis.
Recent Highlights
Machine learning tool helps pediatricians predict asthma in young children
IU School of Medicine researchers found that a machine learning tool significantly improved pediatricians' accuracy in predicting which children would develop asthma, particularly for those at high risk.September 29, 2026
Suicide Prevention: Pediatric psychologist shares important message for caregivers across Indiana
Pediatric psychologist Kelly Donahue shares suicide prevention tips for caregivers.September 22, 2026
Clinical research spotlight: Colin Rogerson, MD, MPH
As an undergraduate, Colin Rogerson, MD, MPH was told to follow his passion for statistics, his favorite subject in high school. Today, he’s using those skills as a physician-scientist studying severe pediatric respiratory diseases.September 16, 2026
Specialized clinic care makes a significant difference in high-risk pediatric asthma
IU research revealed high-risk asthma clinics reduce severe attacks by 36%, yet many children face a two- to three-year delay in enrollment despite early warning signs in their medical history. The findings point to a better way to care for children with difficult asthma cases.September 03, 2026
With new funding, Renzhi Han, PhD and his lab are exploring the feasibility of delivering full-length dystrophin as a potential therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
September 02, 2026