Gabriela Marón, MD, MSc

My clinical research aims to define the spectrum of pathogens and clinical syndromes impacting immunocompromised patients, particularly pediatric bone marrow transplant and cellular therapy recipients. To protect this patient population, we must understand the epidemiology of potential pathogens, identify key risk factors for patients and elucidate their impact on clinical outcomes so that we can develop more effective and targeted approaches to infection management. 

A key aspect of this work is improving our methods for evaluating infections in immunocompromised patients through integrating advanced pathogen detection approaches. I collaborate closely with colleagues in the Departments of Pathology, Host-Microbe Interactions, and Bone Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapies to better distinguish infectious from noninfectious etiologies of fever and other systemic syndromes — an ongoing clinical challenge that frequently leads to overuse of empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics. By advancing more precise diagnostic strategies, this work contributes to reducing unnecessary antimicrobial exposure and shortening treatment duration. 

Ongoing research efforts involve partnering with my colleagues in the Department of Pathology to identify and develop novel methodologies to detect bloodstream infections. I am also conducting longitudinal studies with colleagues in the Department of Host-Microbe Interactions to explore how the gut microbiome affects both infectious and bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapy outcomes and elucidate the association between the gastrointestinal pathogen microbiome and outcomes.

Beyond infection prevention during their initial therapy, I am focused on long-term prevention. I participate in national multicenter studies focused on immunization strategies in pediatric transplant patients to improve their outcomes. I am also the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Transplant Network (PIDTRAN) Coordinating Center director at St. Jude, which provides coordination, support and infrastructure for PIDTRAN studies. PIDTRAN comprises over 25 pediatric transplant centers across the United States.