Society for Pediatric Research

3/17/2021

URMC Professor Elected to Lead Prestigious Research Society

Kate G. Ackerman, M.D., senior vice chair of innovation & integration and an associate professor of pediatrics and biomedical genetics at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), has been named president-elect of the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR).

“Dr. Ackerman’s work epitomizes what we look for in translational research: making vital discoveries that directly benefit the treatment of children. With her passion for discovery and dedication to advancing pediatric research, she will be a great asset in helping the SPR grow.”

During Ackerman’s term as president elect, president, and past president, June 1, 2021 – June 1, 2024, she will work to grow the SPR - a multi-disciplinary network of diverse researchers dedicated to improving child health – and serve its membership. “I am honored at being elected for this important position, and I look forward to advancing the collaborative mission of pediatric research in an ever changing health care environment”.

With more than 4000 active members, the SPR is the primary organization for pediatric research across all academic institutions in the United States. The organization is dedicated to facilitating active communications among and between researchers, promoting research collaborations through mentoring and knowledge sharing, and advocating for funding and policies supportive of pediatric research. Ackerman has been an SPR member since 2006 and has served as the Strategy and Operations Officer (2014-2018), as a committee member (SPR executive, finance, communications, PAS Content), and as the Secretary of the International Pediatric Research Foundation (current). She is also the 2018 recipient of the SPR Thomas Hazinski Distinguished Service Award, which honors an individual who has provided exceptional service to the society.

Ackerman has more than 20 years of research expertise in both bench and clinical sciences, and she has a long-term interest in understanding genetic mechanisms of rare critical illness. Formally trained in mouse genetics, she was the first to identify a genetic cause of non-syndromic defects of the lung and diaphragm (congenital diaphragmatic hernia) and is considered an expert on development of the diaphragm. Her diverse experience allows her to contribute to many groups that benefit from combining knowledge of bench research with clinical medicine. She serves on the Scientific Board of Counsellors for the NICHD and has recently chaired the Mouse Genome Database Scientific Advisory Board. She recently co-founded the National Pediatrician Scientist Collaborative Workgroup (NPSCW), a group of leaders in research training and medical education that works on innovative methods to promote research training during residency.

Ackerman joined URMC in 2007 as an assistant professor and was promoted to associate professor in 2011. She will be promoted to full professor on June 1. Before joining URMC, Ackerman served in multiple progressive roles at Boston Children’s Hospital for more than 9 years, first as a fellow in anesthesia (critical care), then as both instructor and assistant professor in Pediatrics. While working at Boston Children’s, she served a concurrent role from 2001-2007 as research associate in Genetics as part of her post-doc education at Harvard Medical School.

Ackerman received her B.S. from Cornell University and her M.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.  She is currently an M.B.A candidate at the University of Rochester, Simon Business School with expected graduation in May 2021.

Ackerman’s accomplishments both as a leader and research innovator make her an ideal choice to lead the SPR, according to Patrick Brophy, M.D., chair of the Department of Pediatrics.

“Dr. Ackerman’s work epitomizes what we look for in translational research: making vital discoveries that directly benefit the treatment of children. With her passion for discovery and dedication to advancing pediatric research, she will be a great asset in helping the SPR grow.”