Washington University in St. Louis (WU)
I am particularly interested in studying the intersection between pediatric gastroenterology and hematologic and oncologic processes, as I feel like this is an underrepresented area of medicine. One area of particular interest is hepatic VOD (veno-occlusive disease). Defibrotide is a medication effective FDA-approved treatment for treatment of pediatric VOD/SOS with good outcomes; however, it’s precise mechanisms are not well elucidated. It’s array of activities on the vascular endothelium and implications for hemostasis are broad and include anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, and fibrinolytic capabilities with a wide number of known and proposed actions. I am interested in exploring defibrotide’s anti-thrombotic action on platelets and protective effects on vascular endothelium, specifically as they relate to PAR modulation.