Maria Luz V Dizon

I have been an attending neonatologist in the Division of Neonatology since the early 2000s, and have been a proud contributor to the growth of our division, our department and our hospital over the years. I completed my subspecialty training at Northwestern University following general pediatrics training at Boston City Hospital. Although originally a Texan, Chicago is my sweet home.

As Co-Director of our NeuroNICU program, we are working to heighten brain-awareness in the clinical management of our babies, as well as increase opportunities for clinical research that will improve the neurodevelopmental outcomes of our patients in the future.

In my lab, we are interested in understanding mechanisms leading to newborn brain injury, especially preterm brain injury. Our research focuses on the impact of hypoxia-ischemia on the development of cells of the oligodendroglial lineage. Our strategy is to genetically manipulate bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in an attempt to regenerate white matter lost to perinatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury. Currently, we are exploring the role of microRNAs in oligodendroglial differentiation. We are particularly interested in how microRNA-21 may modulate BMP signaling. With my clinical colleagues, we are exploring biomarkers for the development of cerebral palsy, including microRNAs. Finally, I am interested in variances in the management of neonatal encephalopathy. Through the Children's Hospital Neonatal Database HI encephalopathy workgroup, we continue to examine intercenter variation in medical management and resource utilization.