Nemours Cardiac Center for Research & Innovation
- About Us
- Our Research
- Research Impact
Cardiovascular Research That Changes Children’s Lives
The Nemours Cardiac Center for Research & Innovation in Delaware Valley leads groundbreaking research to solve the most pressing challenges in children's heart health. With more than 20 investigators and $1 million in annual research funding, we are advancing how doctors detect, treat, and prevent pediatric heart disease.
From studying heart development before birth to creating better treatments for adolescents, our research spans the formative years of a child’s life and covers a wide spectrum of heart care, from congenital to acquired. We're particularly known for our innovative management solutions of complex conditions like aortic valve abnormalities and single ventricle heart disease. We are internationally recognized for our commitment to making advanced heart care accessible across the life span, and our expertise in preventive heart care.
We partner with leading hospitals, research centers, and primary care physicians nationwide to improve children's heart health. Our work spans making heart surgery safer, detecting heart conditions, treating high blood pressure and cholesterol in youth, addressing inherited disorders, supporting families with babies with heart conditions, and providing neurodevelopmental resources. We implement quality improvement initiatives to enhance hypertension management and lipid screening, preventing early cardiovascular disease and translating discoveries into better care for kids.
Our research program is also active in training the next generation of researchers. We offer pilot grant funding and mentorship to early stage investigators, within our center and in partnership with internal funding and research mentorship programs within the Delaware Valley.
Leading in Pediatric Cardiovascular Research: By the Numbers
Our vision is to be a leading hub for transformation in cardiovascular research and innovative solutions. Our work, spanning congenital heart surgery, cardiovascular genetics, preventive cardiology, perinatal cardiovascular care and psychosocial interventions, solidifies our place as a pediatric leader.
$1 million+
Annual research funding for cardiac research
70+
Research articles published in medical journals each year
60+
Posters and presentations at scientific sessions annually
20+
Investigators conducting research in our Center
We’re leaders and collaborators on national scientific statements and guidelines in the field of maternal-child cardiovascular health and acquired and congenital cardiology, helping to improve the standard of care.
With funding from industry partners, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other agencies, we conduct high-impact research that makes a difference in the lives of children.
We rapidly move new understandings of pediatric and congenital cardiovascular disease into clinical practice and commercial applications.
Our extensive network of partnerships means we’re actively translating discoveries into improved clinical care.
Our Leadership
Carissa M. Baker Smith MD, MPH, MS
Director of Research
Director of Pediatric Preventive Cardiology Program
Senior Research Scientist
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Carol J. Prospero, CCRC
Research Program Manager
Erica Sood, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist
Senior Research Scientist
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Research Team
-
Claude Anthony Beaty Jr., MD
Cardiothoracic Surgeon Site Director, Temple Thoracic Residency Program, Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Mark Joseph Cartoski, MD
Cardiologist Assistant Professor at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Sean Daniel Connolly, DO
Cardiology Associate Program Director, Pediatric Cardiology FellowshipPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Erica Del Grippo Del Grippo, DO
Cardiologist Assistant Professor of PediatricsPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Christopher D. Derby, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery Surgical Director Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and Mechanical Circulatory SupportPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Colin Blair Meyer-Macaulay, MD
Cardiac Critical Care -
Bradley W. Robinson, MD
Cardiologist Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Aryaz Sheybani, MD
Cardiology Medical Director, Heart Transplant ProgramPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Shubhika Srivastava, MD
Chief of Cardiology Professor of Pediatrics — Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Deepika Thacker, MD
Cardiologist Associate Professor at Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Takeshi Tsuda, MD
Physician Professor of Pediatrics at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE -
Abbas Haider Zaidi, MD
Cardiologist Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson UniversityPrimary Office
Wilmington, DE
