Rajesh Kumar

Dr. Kumar's research is focused on prenatal and early life exposures, which in combination with genetic factors are associated with the development of early childhood wheezing, asthma, and allergic disease. In particular, differentially distributed risk factors and differentially distributed genetic factors may contribute to asthma health disparities in inner city populations. In terms of differentially distributed genetic factors, we have focused on the role of ancestry in modulating phenotypes such as plateau lung function. We also have evaluated the role of racially differentially distributed early life factors on the development of associated phenotypes including atopy. Our research in these areas has been published in a number of journals including the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Clinical and Experimental Allergy, and The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Kumar also has interests in a number of other areas including:the determinants of lung function from childhood into later adult life (CARDIA study), development of food allergy in early infancy, and validation of PROMIS instruments in asthma (AAD-PEPR study). Additionally, he serves as the site-PI for a consortium which evaluates personalized medicine approaches for severe asthma.

Dr. Kumar has worked as an academic allergist at Lurie Children's for over 18 years. He has a number of research interests. Most prominently he is interested in the prenatal and early life exposures, which in combination with genetic factors are associated with the development of early childhood wheezing, atopic disease and asthma. Dr. Kumar also has interests in a number of other areas including:the determinants of lung function from childhood into later adult life (CARDIA study), development of food allergy in early infancy, and validation of PROMIS instruments in asthma (AAD-PEPR study). Additionally, he serves as the site-PI for a consortium which evaluates personalized medicine approaches for severe asthma.

Dr. Kumar's clinical focus complements my research profile with a focus on provision of asthma care to inner city families. With over a decade of experience in this area, we provide family centered multidisciplinary care in this population. Dr. Kumar also oversees a clinic which looks to implement guidelines for assessment of peanut allergy in the first 4-6 months of life and early peanut introduction. As an allergist in a tertiary care referral center of excellence, he also has extensive experience in management of other allergic diseases including food allergy, rhinitis, eczema and drug allergy. Dr. Kumar serves as the clinical practice director for the Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at Lurie Children's Hospital.