Applying noninvasive technologies to diagnose pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease -- Jennifer Woo Baidal, MD

The Foundation's Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program was designed to provide four-year postdoctoral research awards offered to historically disadvantaged physicians who are committed to developing careers in academic medicine, to improving the health of underserved populations, and to furthering the understanding and elimination of health disparities.Pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in children worldwide. The goal of this project is to examine the validity of non-invasive testing using transient elastography and novel protein biomarkers to detect and stage pediatric NAFLD. The grantee will enroll children presenting for outpatient care of suspected or established chronic liver disease at the Pediatric Liver Disease Program at Columbia University. The study will accelerate non-invasive detection and staging of pediatric NAFLD.