A physician/researcher specializing in neonatal intensive care and immune disorders, Dr. Akhil Maheshwari, of the University of Illinois-Chicago College of Medicine, has been invited to present the 2012 Joseph V. Scaletti Catalyst Lecture on Apr 06 12:00 PM in Domenici Center Auditorium on the campus of the Health Sciences Center of the University of New Mexico.

A practicing physician specializing in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis and developmental gastroenterology, Dr Maheshwari is also deeply committed to basic research and the training of physicians, physician-scientists, and basic scientists; his research focuses on the mechanisms of inflammatory gut injury in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis with specific focus on leukocyte trafficking, tight junctions, and macrophage function.

Some of Dr Maheshwari’s recent research published with colleagues includes:  TGF-β2 Suppresses Macrophage Cytokine Production in the Developing Intestine and Protects against Experimental Necrotizing Enterocolitis, T cell cytokines and the risk of blood stream infection in extremely low birth weight infants, Probiotic Bacteria Induce Maturation of Intestinal Claudin 3 Expression and Barrier Function, and Do Red Cell Transfusions Increase the Risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Premature Infants?

Each year, one of the Signature Research Programs at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine selects an outstanding physician/researcher whose work embodies the ideals of Clinical/Translational Research with immediate “bench to bedside” impact on the community to present the Joseph V Scaletti Memorial Catalyst Lecture. The Signature Research Programs are focused on critical health problems affecting New Mexico residents and seek to bridge the clinical and basic sciences in order to more rapidly deliver discoveries in molecular medicine to the clinical setting. This year, Child Health, the newest Signature Research Program, has invited Dr Maheshwari: Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Pharmacology, Division of Neonatology Chief, Program Director of the Neonatal Fellowship Program, Director for Neonatal and Pediatric Gastrointestinal Disease, and Medical Director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Intermediate Care Nursery at the University of Illinois Children’s Hospital.