Research Institute

Discovery and Innovation

Many are surprised to learn Connecticut Children’s is a hotbed of research, but with our partnerships with the University of Connecticut and the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, we are. Pediatric illness and disease are unique from their adult counterparts, so it is essential to invest in discovery and innovation. When we understand childhood diseases, we can develop new and more effective treatments. The Research Institute comprises three distinct areas of research at Connecticut Children’s.

Our Three Research Centers

Basic & Translational Research

The Center for Basic & Translational Research focuses on the biological and mechanistic cause of disease and pediatric health. It furthers our collaborations with University of Connecticut School of Medicine and The Jackson Laboratory. Regenerative Medicine and Inflammation Biology are current areas of focus.

Transitions Clinic staff interview a parent

Population Health & Outcomes Research

The Center for Population Health and Outcomes Research spurs our collaborations with community partners and highlights whole child health, incorporating behavioral and environmental factors. Behavioral Health research is a primary concern at this time.

Clinical Research

One path to improving the care for infants, children, and adolescents with acute and chronic medical conditions is through rigorous clinical trials. The Center for Clinical Research focuses on scaled trials that implement findings from the other two Centers into practice. Our most active areas for clinical trials are Hematology/Oncology and Rare Diseases.

Dr. Jeff Hyams consults with Infusion Patient Family

Asking Why for Better Results

Jeffrey Hyams, MD, is recognized as an expert on Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, commonly known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

For the past 40 years, Dr. Hyams has not only provided expert care to children living with IBD, he has led research efforts to try to understand the biology and clinical expression of these diseases and how they are modified by current and emerging therapies. “Our goal is to better understand the factors why some children do exceptionally well and others do not improve at all,” says Dr. Hyams.

“Throughout my medical career I have always asked ‘Why?’ Without research, there is no progress, and without progress we need to settle for less than optimal results for some children,” says Dr. Hyams. “I partner with my patients and their families to move our field forward. I am fortunate that the pediatric IBD community is one that values collaboration, and it provides me with the opportunity to work with very smart people.”

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