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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240814T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240814T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T121258
CREATED:20240723T220506Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240925T204712Z
UID:13614-1723640400-1723644000@echochildren.org
SUMMARY:Caitlin G. Howe\, PhD: Epigenetic Regulators in Human Milk: Opportunities in ECHO with a Focus on miRNAs
DESCRIPTION:Epigenetic Regulators in Human Milk: Opportunities in ECHO with a Focus on miRNAs\nKey Takeaways:* \n\nMiRNAs\, small molecules known to regulate the expression of certain genes\, represent a major class of epigenetic regulators that are abundant in human milk.\nThere is growing evidence that miRNAs in maternal milk are sensitive to modifiable exposures such as environmental toxins\, psychological stress\, and diet. However\, little is known about how these miRNAs may influence child health or the factors that influence the presence of miRNAs.\nBased on analysis of ECHO Cohort data through the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study\, researchers found that higher levels of one specific miRNA in maternal milk consumed by infants were related to a smaller body mass index (BMI) z-score for the child at age 2 years.\nA pilot study was designed to understand the potential impact of arsenic and other metals as environmental exposures to miRNA in human milk. The study found that exposure to arsenic around the time of conception and during pregnancy was related to fewer miRNAs.\nThere are opportunities for ECHO researchers to analyze environmental and social stressors that may alter the composition of miRNAs in human milk. There are also gaps in knowledge about their relationship with infant health outcomes\, sensitivity to stressors and health-protective behaviors\, as well as the impact of pumping\, reheating\, or the pasteurization of human milk.\n\n*The content presented in this webinar is the responsibility of the speaker and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. \nCaitlin G. Howe\, PhD \nAssistant Professor of Epidemiology\nGeisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth \n\n  \n  \nSpeaker Bio’s: \nDr. Howe is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College. She received her PhD in Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University and completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Southern California. Dr. Howe is a Co-Investigator for Dartmouth’s ECHO site. Her research investigates metal impacts on maternal and child health and the epigenome\, with a focus on extracellular microRNAs. \n  \n \n 
URL:https://echochildren.org/event/caitlin-g-howe-phd-epigenetic-regulators-in-human-milk-opportunities-in-echo-with-a-focus-on-mirnas/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240911T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240911T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T121258
CREATED:20240807T165724Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241014T163456Z
UID:13750-1726059600-1726063200@echochildren.org
SUMMARY:Maria Gloria Dominguez Bello: The Early Life Microbiome and Disrupting Exposures
DESCRIPTION:The Early Life Microbiome and Disrupting Exposures\nKey Takeaways*: \nDr. Dominguez-Bello noted that: \n\nDuring a vaginal birth\, babies are exposed to dense bacterial communities\, and throughout early childhood\, they continue to be exposed to natural non-self microbes.\nIn modern society\, humans interfere with these natural microbe exposures. For example\, many women are given antibiotics during pregnancy\, and many babies are born via cesarian section (c-section).\nA pilot study has shown that vaginal seeding—which involves transferring vaginal fluids to a newborn’s skin\, mouth\, or nose—after a c-section may improve microbiome trajectories.\nThe health of future generations will rely on a deep understanding of microbial biology and restoration.\nECHO Cohort data and observational studies are a great opportunity to test hypotheses and generate more opportunities for research.\n\n*The content presented in this webinar is the responsibility of the speaker and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. \n \n\nMaria Gloria Dominguez Bello \nDistinguished Professor and \nHenry Rutgers Professor of Microbiome and Health\, Rutgers University \n  \n  \nDownload the slide presentation
URL:https://echochildren.org/event/maria-gloria-dominguez-bello-the-early-life-microbiome-and-disrupting-exposures/
ORGANIZER;CN="Saira Siddiqui":MAILTO:saira.siddiqui@duke.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241009T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241009T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T121258
CREATED:20240916T174122Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241021T171417Z
UID:13993-1728478800-1728482400@echochildren.org
SUMMARY:Alison Paquette\, PhD: Multi-Omic Data Illuminates the Placenta's Role as a Mediator Between Prenatal EDC Exposures and Preterm Birth
DESCRIPTION:Multi-Omic Data Illuminates the Placenta’s Role as a Mediator Between Prenatal EDC Exposures and Preterm Birth \nKey Takeaways: Preterm birth is one of the leading causes of infant morbidity and is associated with increased birth defects and impaired fetal development. Prenatal exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) has is positively associated with spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) in epidemiological studies\, and have been shown to alter placental growth and proliferation in vitro. We have used placental transcriptomic data (microRNA and mRNA) to reveal shared molecular mechanisms. Both prenatal EDC exposure and spontaneous preterm birth are associated with increased expression of genes involved in steroid biosynthesis\, and decreased genes involved in placental growth and development\, including notch signaling and TGF beta signaling. \n Alison Paquette\, PhD \nAssistant Professor\nCenter for Developmental Biology\nSeattle Children’s Research Institute \nSpeaker Biography:  \nDr. Paquette received her PhD from Dartmouth College under the mentorship of Dr. Carmen Marsit \, then joined the Institute for Systems Biology for her post-doctoral fellowship under the mentorship of Dr. Nathan Price. She joined the faculty at Seattle Childrens Research Institute in 2020 and is a member of the Center of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine. She is an Assistant Professor at UW Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics and has an Adjunct appointment in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences. She has worked with the ECHO PATHWAYS and PATHWAYS GAPPS cohorts within ECHO through collaborations with cohort lead Dr. Sheela Sathyanaryana.  \nDownload the slide presentation
URL:https://echochildren.org/event/alison-paquette-phd-multi-omic-data-illuminates-the-placentas-role-as-a-mediator-between-prenatal-edc-exposures-and-preterm-birth/
ORGANIZER;CN="Ana Trampe":MAILTO:ana.trampe@duke.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241113T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241113T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T121258
CREATED:20241009T153158Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241120T161620Z
UID:14320-1731502800-1731506400@echochildren.org
SUMMARY:Sarah Comstock\, PhD: Microbiomes of Pregnancy and Infancy: Implications for Child Health Outcomes
DESCRIPTION:Microbiomes of Pregnancy and Infancy: Implications for Child Health Outcomes \nKey Takeaways: \nECHO cohort sites have collected longitudinal microbiome samples and data spanning pregnancy through adolescence from a geographically\, socioeconomically\, and ethnically diverse US sample. The power of the ECHO cohort lies in its assessment of exposures in real time with the tracking of health outcomes as they occur throughout the life course. With specimen and data collection continuing in Cycle 2\, ECHO has an incredible opportunity to advance our understanding of the impact of host associated microbiomes on child health outcomes. This talk will present data from ECHO-wide analyses of extant microbiome data as well as discuss the potential of ECHO microbiome data and samples to advance the fields of exposure science\, child health\, and human development. \n  \nSarah Comstock\, PhD \nAssistant Professor\nDepartment of Food Science and Human Nutrition\nMichigan State University \nSpeaker Biography: \nSarah Comstock is an Associate Professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Michigan State University. She earned a BS in Biochemistry from the University of Chicago and her PhD in Nutritional Biology from the University of California\, Davis\, where she studied the impact of food components on peanut and tree nut allergenicity. During her post doc at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign\, Dr. Comstock studied the impact of human milk components on gastrointestinal and immune system development using a piglet model.  The overarching goal of her current research program is to determine which exposures build host-associated microbiomes that ensure appropriate child development. Dr. Comstock co-leads the microbiome and human milk ECHO interest groups. Today she will present data from ECHO-wide analyses of extant microbiome data as well as discuss the potential of ECHO microbiome data and samples to advance the fields of exposure science\, child health\, and human development. \nDownload the slide presentation
URL:https://echochildren.org/event/sarah-comstock-phd-microbiomes-of-pregnancy-and-infancy-implications-for-child-health-outcomes/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241211T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241211T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T121258
CREATED:20241111T182349Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250108T173909Z
UID:14721-1733922000-1733925600@echochildren.org
SUMMARY:Isar P. Godreau Santiago\, PhD and Mariluz Franco-Ortiz\, PhD: Applications of Skin Color Scales to the Study of Racial Inequality
DESCRIPTION:Applications of Skin Color Scales to the Study of Racial Inequality \nKey Takeaways: In this brief presentation we discuss the benefits and challenges of utilizing skin color scales to study racial inequality. We specifically consider the contributions of studies that have applied this methodology to study racial inequalities among Latinxs in the US and in Puerto Rico with a focus on health outcomes.  Definitions of key concepts such as “race” \, “racism” and “colorism” will be provided before considering their health impacts.  Opportunities for addressing methodological challenges and information gaps associated with the use of skin color scales in surveys will also be discussed. \n \nIsar P. Godreau Santiago\, PhD \nInvestigator at the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies \nUniversity of Puerto Rico- Cayey \nSpeaker Biography:  \nIsar P. Godreau Santiago obtained her PhD in cultural anthropologist the University of California  in 1999  after graduating from the University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras.  She works at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research at the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey where she has directed various institution-wide level research initiatives and her own research projects on race and anti-black racism in Puerto Rico since 2003.  She has published on hair\, racial terminology\, the folklorization of blackness\, census racial categories and  the combined effects of racism and colonialism in Puerto Rican schools\, and socail studies textbooks. She is the main author of Arrancando mitos de raíz: guía para la enseñanza  antirracista de la herencia africana en Puerto Rico (2013) and  Scripts of Blackness: Race\, Cultural Nationalism and US Colonialism in Puerto Rico (2015\,  winner of the Frank Bonilla best book award). \n  \n \nMariluz Franco-Ortiz\, PhD \nInvestigator at the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies \nUniversity of Puerto Rico- Cayey \nSpeaker Biography:  \nDr. Mariluz Franco-Ortiz is currently Co-PI of the Visualizing Afro-dignity Project and Researcher of the Mellon Program titled: Invigorating Scholarly Communities at the Institute of Interdisciplinary Research\, University of Puerto Rico\, Cayey.  Dr. Franco-Ortiz completed a Ph.D. in Social-Community Psychology at UPR Río Piedras and has 25+ years of experience implementing best training practices in student and faculty development programs in projects related to education\, psychosocial research\, racism\, research integrity\, and youth violence prevention. She has also led community-based projects promoting gender\, racial\, and social justice through her enthusiastic commitment with Colectivo ilé\, a grassroots organization that fosters leadership with women through anti-racist education. \nDownload the slide presentation
URL:https://echochildren.org/event/isar-p-godreau-santiago-phd-and-mariluz-franco-ortiz-phd-applications-of-skin-color-scales-to-the-study-of-racial-inequality/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250108T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250108T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T121258
CREATED:20241120T184449Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250123T154443Z
UID:14765-1736341200-1736344800@echochildren.org
SUMMARY:Courtney K. Blackwell\, PhD\, EdM and Richard Gershon\, PhD: An Introduction to the NIH Baby Toolbox
DESCRIPTION:An Introduction to the NIH Baby Toolbox \nKey Takeaways: This presentation provides an overview of the NIH Infant and Toddler Toolbox\, or “Baby Toolbox\,” a new neuropsychological\, cognitive\, motor\, and social assessment battery for ages 1-42 months. Descriptions and video examples of the new Baby Toolbox direct and observational tasks will be shown\, including novel gaze-tracking technology that enables assessment of the youngest infants. Information on norming and validation activities will be described. The presentation will also review Baby Toolbox administration in ECHO\, including how the Baby Toolbox fits into the broader suite of NIH Toolbox instruments for lifespan coherent assessment. \n \nCourtney K. Blackwell\, PhD\, EdM \nAssociate Professor \nNorthwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine \nSpeaker Biography: \nCourtney K. Blackwell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Social Sciences at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Blackwell has expertise in the development\, validation\, and implementation of developmentally sensitive\, lifespan coherent person-reported outcomes (PROs) and performance-based assessments. \n \nRichard Gershon\, PhD \nProfessor and Division Chief of Outcome and Measurement Science \nNorthwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine \nSpeaker Biography: \nRichard Gershon\, PhD\, is Professor and Division Chief of Outcome and Measurement Science in the Department of Medical Social Sciences at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. His career has focused on developing modern assessment tools and delivering assessment results to clinicians. \nDownload the slide presentation
URL:https://echochildren.org/event/cortney-k-blackwell-phd-edm-and-richard-gershon-phd-an-introduction-to-the-nih-baby-toolbox/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250212T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250212T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T121258
CREATED:20250127T192041Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250310T131344Z
UID:15129-1739365200-1739368800@echochildren.org
SUMMARY:Nathalie Maitre\, MD\, PhD: Stakeholder Engagement in Pediatric Disability Research: Why and How to do it
DESCRIPTION:Stakeholder Engagement in Pediatric Disability Research: Why and How to do it \nKey Takeaways: To study child health\, researchers must also study child disability. Research to improve child outcomes necessarily considers those with disabilities early in their developmental trajectories\, to identify modifiable factors and drive interventions that promote health throughout the lifespan. However\, this can be challenging to implement. In this presentation\, we demonstrate how quantitative and qualitative research can inform the design\, outcomes\, recruitment\, and retention of children with disabilities and their families\, with a special focus on often-overlooked physical disabilities. The example of the ECHO 301 project will be highlighted. \n \nNathalie Maitre\, MD\, PhD \nDirector of Early Development & Cerebral Palsy Research\, \nEmory University School of Medicine \nSpeaker Biography: \nNathalie Maitre\, MD\, PhD\, is a Professor of Pediatrics\, Pediatrician and Neonatologist at Children’s\, and Director of Early Development and Cerebral Palsy Research. Dr. Maitre’s research spans from neuroscience to clinical trials to implementation. Examples range from studying the brain of a single child to global health and transforming healthcare systems throughout the world. Her NIH-funded neuroscience research looks at the mechanisms of how the brain recovers after injury and what interventions she can design: by leveraging and developing new technologies and by involving parents in interventions. These approaches all leverage the neuroplasticity of the baby brain to help infants recover function and have more healthy and happy developmental trajectories into childhood. It’s important for Dr. Maitre’s research to have families as stakeholders to design studies\, choose outcomes\, and to voice what matters to them when participating in interventions. \nDownload the slide presentation
URL:https://echochildren.org/event/nathalie-maitre-md-phd-research-in-pediatric-disability-the-importance-of-clinical-implementation-and-stakeholder-engagement/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250409T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250409T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T121258
CREATED:20250319T123811Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250416T171130Z
UID:15375-1744203600-1744207200@echochildren.org
SUMMARY:Linda Kahn\, MD\, PhD: Opportunities and challenges for subfecundity research in ECHO
DESCRIPTION:Opportunities and challenges for subfecundity research in ECHO \nKey Takeaways: Since the advent of assisted reproduction\, there have been questions about potential impacts on child health\, with neurodevelopment being a particular focus of concern. One of the biggest challenges for research in this field has been confounding by indication\, i.e.\, the difficulty of disaggregating the effect of the treatment itself from the underlying subfecundity that warranted it. In ECHO\, we now have a suite of harmonized variables available that may help us to do just that. In this talk\, Dr. Kahn will introduce these variables and describe an analysis in progress that is examining associations between subfecundity and child neurodevelopmental outcomes. \nLinda\, Kahn\, MD\, PhD\nAssistant Professor\, Department of Pediatrics and Population Health \nNYU Grossman School of Medicine \nSpeaker Biography: \nDr. Kahn received her undergraduate degree from Yale and master’s in English from Columbia before embarking on a career as a book editor focusing on health and women’s studies. After 20 years\, she returned to Columbia for her MPH in Population and Family Health and PhD in Epidemiology. She joined the Division of Environmental Pediatrics at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine as a postdoc in 2017 and in 2021 was appointed Assistant Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Population Health.  Her research examines intersection between environmental chemical exposure and reproductive health and development. \nDownload the slides \n \n 
URL:https://echochildren.org/event/linda-kahn-md-phd-opportunities-and-challenges-for-subfecundity-research-in-echo/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250514T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250514T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T121258
CREATED:20250428T150635Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250610T205842Z
UID:15874-1747227600-1747231200@echochildren.org
SUMMARY:Dr. Christine Ladd-Acosta\, PhD: What is DNA methylation and how can it help us address ECHO scientific priorities and improve child health?
DESCRIPTION:What is DNA methylation and how can it help us address ECHO scientific priorities and improve child health?  \nKey Takeaways:  DNA methylation is a molecular modification of DNA that is instrumental in regulating several essential cellular functions. For example\, it provides a mechanism for cellular differentiation during fetal development\, it controls gene expression\, and it silences one X-chromosome in females\, among other functions. Alterations in DNA methylation have been associated with a wide range of health outcomes in adults and children and have also been associated with environmental exposures. Thus\, it may provide a biologic mechanism for some environmental effects on child health. In addition to providing potential biologic/mechanistic insights\, there is evidence that it could serve as a useful biomarker of exposures and/or health outcomes. This presentation will provide a brief introduction to DNA methylation\, a framework for how it can be examined in ECHO to address scientific priorities\, highlight a few exemplar findings in ECHO to date\, and summarize opportunities and challenges for future studies.  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nDr. Christine Ladd-Acosta\, PhD  \nAssociate Professor\, Department of Epidemiology\nJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health \nSpeaker Biography: \nDr. Ladd-Acosta is an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health\, with a joint appointment in mental health. Her research focuses on developing and applying epigenomic and genomic epidemiology approaches to improve health\, with a particular concentration on child and neurodevelopmental health outcomes. Her findings have been recognized with a “best original article” award by Environmental Research and results reported in multiple publications have been declared as top 20 advances in autism research by the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). \nDownload the slides
URL:https://echochildren.org/event/dr-christine-ladd-acosta-phd-what-is-dna-methylation-and-how-can-it-help-us-address-echo-scientific-priorities-and-improve-child-health/
CATEGORIES:genetics
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250611T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250611T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T121258
CREATED:20250526T232947Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250623T203400Z
UID:16610-1749646800-1749650400@echochildren.org
SUMMARY:Diana Pacyga\, M.S.\, PhD: Does adherence to U.S. dietary guidelines during pregnancy reduce exposure to over 50 contemporary and understudied chemicals?
DESCRIPTION:Does adherence to U.S. dietary guidelines during pregnancy reduce exposure to over 50 contemporary and understudied chemicals? \nKey Takeaways: Diet is an important source of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)\, which are linked to adverse maternal and child health outcomes. Aside from consuming fresh foods or restricting processed/packaged food intake\, there are no comprehensive recommendations for reducing dietary EDC exposures during pregnancy. Current U.S. dietary guidelines for pregnancy\, which promote healthy diets to support fetal development\, do not factor in the presence of EDCs in foods. In this ECHO-wide study\, we aimed to evaluate whether better adherence to dietary guidelines reduces exposure to over 50 contemporary and understudied EDCs\, including phthalates and their replacements\, pesticides\, phenols\, organophosphate esters\, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. \n \nDiana Pacyga\, M.S.\, PhD \nT32 Postdoctoral Trainee\, Department of Epidemiology \nUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill \nSpeaker Biography: \nDiana Pacyga is a T32 Postdoctoral Trainee in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her current research focuses on two areas: investigating diet as a source of chemical exposure and evaluating the neurodevelopmental consequences of prenatal and early life chemical exposures. \nShe previously earned a dual Ph.D. in Human Nutrition and Environmental Toxicology from Michigan State University\, where she was part of a multidisciplinary program spanning the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and the Environmental and Integrative Toxicological Sciences program. \nDiana is trained in environmental\, molecular\, nutritional\, and perinatal epidemiology\, and has experience studying how chemical and non-chemical stressors during critical life stages—like pregnancy\, infancy\, and midlife—can affect maternal and child health. \nDownload the slides
URL:https://echochildren.org/event/diana-pacyga-m-s-phd-does-adherence-to-u-s-dietary-guidelines-during-pregnancy-reduce-exposure-o-over-50-contemporary-and-understudied-chemicals/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250813T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250813T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T121258
CREATED:20250721T201428Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250902T132912Z
UID:16809-1755090000-1755093600@echochildren.org
SUMMARY:Dr. Maxwell Mansolf - Predictors of Child Eating and Parent Feeding in the ECHO Cohort
DESCRIPTION:Predictors of Child Eating and Parent Feeding in the ECHO Cohort \nKey Takeaways: Dr. Mansolf will present findings from a study using data from over 3\,500 children in the ECHO cohort to examine the complex relationships between child eating behaviors and parental feeding practices. Using machine learning approaches such as random forests and regression trees\, the research identified key predictors of these behaviors\, revealing both independent and interdependent patterns. Results showed that caregiver and child age were the strongest predictors\, followed by caregiver stress\, child BMI\, and social support. These findings highlight potential intervention opportunities and provide new insights into the multifaceted nature of family food dynamics and their implications for child nutritional health. \n \nMaxwell Mansolf\, PhD \nAssistant Professor in the Department of Medical Social Sciences \nNorthwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine \nCo-PI\, ECHO Measurement Core \nSpeaker Biography: \nDr. Maxwell Mansolf is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Social Sciences at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. His research focuses on psychometric methods and child health outcomes\, with expertise in classical test theory\, item response theory\, and computerized adaptive testing. Dr. Mansolf serves as a data scientist on large-scale longitudinal studies\, including the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort\, where he manages and analyzes harmonized data from 69 cohorts to advance understanding of child health and development. His recent work includes developing assessment tools such as the NIH Baby Toolbox neurodevelopmental assessment system and contributing to psychometric research published in venues including Multivariate Behavioral Research and the Handbook of Structural Equation Modeling. He is proficient in R statistical programming and recently published the AlignLV package to CRAN. Dr. Mansolf is also author of an upcoming Cambridge University Press textbook on MATLAB programming for non-technical audiences. \nDownload the slide presentation
URL:https://echochildren.org/event/dr-maxwell-mansolf-predictors-of-child-eating-and-parent-feeding-in-the-environmental-influences-on-child-health-outcomes-echo-study/
CATEGORIES:environmental,innovations
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250910T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250910T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T121259
CREATED:20250825T142046Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251001T122709Z
UID:16951-1757509200-1757512800@echochildren.org
SUMMARY:Chang Liu\, Ph.D: Early Childhood BMI Trajectories and Weight Status Lability: Leveraging ECHO's Longitudinal Data to Identify Critical Developmental Patterns
DESCRIPTION:Early Childhood BMI Trajectories and Weight Status Lability: Leveraging ECHO’s Longitudinal Data to Identify Critical Developmental Patterns \nKey Takeaways: Dr. Liu will present findings from three studies using data from thousands of children in the ECHO cohort to examine early childhood BMI development and its implications for future health risks. \n\nDistinct BMI Trajectory Patterns: About 10% of children show rapid increases in BMI starting at age 3.5\, reaching an average BMI exceeding the 99th percentile by age 9.\nBMI Z-score Lability: This new risk indicator highlights factors like breastfeeding and neighborhood resources that influence weight status fluctuations.\nDevelopmental outcomes: The third study explored how early BMI z-score lability patterns predict developmental outcomes in middle childhood.\n\nThese findings provide new insights into early childhood development and potential intervention opportunities. \n \nChang Liu\, Ph.D. \nAssistant Professor in the Department of Psychology \nWashington State University \nCo-I of ECHO Cohorts 12101/12102/12103 \nSpeaker Biography: \nDr. Chang Liu\, Ph.D.\, an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Washington State University studies how developmental processes and mechanisms shape resilience vs. maladjustment in children and mothers. Her work integrates multiple levels of analysis\, including prenatal adversities\, genetic influences\, and early parental. This has led to three lines of social-emotional development research focused on children’s regulation vs. maladjustment: characterizing dynamic change and how parents and children co-regulate emotions\, the relationship between genes\, pre- and post- natal environment influences\, and the impact of different contexts of development on risk and resilience in children and mothers. Recently she began examining childhood obesity\, using innovative longitudinal methodologies and concepts like body mass index (BMI) z-score lability. \nDownload the slide presentation
URL:https://echochildren.org/event/chang-liu-ph-d-early-childhood-bmi-trajectories-and-weight-status-lability-leveraging-echos-longitudinal-data-to-identify-critical-developmental-patterns/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251008T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251008T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T121259
CREATED:20250916T154449Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251224T025142Z
UID:17225-1759928400-1759932000@echochildren.org
SUMMARY:Christine Loftus\, MS\, MPH\, Ph.D: Where there’s smoke… there’s action?  What ECHO can do to protect children from wildfire smoke
DESCRIPTION:Where there’s smoke… there’s action? What ECHO can do to protect children from wildfire smoke \nCLICK HERE TO JOIN THE PRESENTATION VIA TEAMS \nKey Takeaways: \nWildfire smoke exposure is a growing public health crisis\, causing significant harm to children nationwide. In 2025 alone\, an estimated 12\,000 ECHO participants have experienced at least one serious smoke event. Dr. Loftus’s presentation will describe wildfire smoke research in progress across the ECHO Program\, including a new study collecting time-sensitive data after smoke events\, aiming to characterize short-term health impacts and parents’ efforts to reduce child smoke exposure. Dr. Loftus will also discuss potential future research directions for the program\, focusing on solution-oriented studies that leverage key strengths of the ECHO Cohort. \n \nChristine Loftus\, MS\, MPH\, Ph.D\nClinical Associate Professor\nEnvironmental and Occupational Health Sciences\nUniversity of Washington \nProject Director  within Cohort 306\nAward PI: ECHO Opportunities and Innovation Fund (OIF)\nCo-chair: ECHO Air Pollution and Wildfire Smoke Interest Group \nSpeaker Biography: \nDr. Christine Loftus is a Clinical Associate Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Washington. Her research program focuses on environmental exposures and child health\, including through applications of advanced study designs and statistical methods\, community-engaged methods for remote and rural settings\, and intervention research. She served as the science director of the PATHWAYS Consortium in ECHO Cycle 1 and is currently the project director of a new ECHO site in the Yakima Valley\, recruiting new pregnancies. She’s the co-chair of the ECHO Air Pollution and Wildfire Smoke Interest Group and is principal investigator of an ECHO Opportunities and Innovation Fund award in progress\, The Development and Evaluation of a Wildfire Smoke Protocol for Rapid Response (WiSPRR). \nKeywords: Wildfires\, smoke\, interventions\, disaster response \nDownload the slide presentation
URL:https://echochildren.org/event/christine-loftus-ms-mph-ph-d-where-theres-smoke-theres-action-what-can-echo-do-to-protect-children-from-wildfire-smoke/
CATEGORIES:environmental,innovations,outcomes
ORGANIZER;CN="Samia Baluch":MAILTO:saimia.baluch@duke.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251112T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251112T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T121259
CREATED:20251013T142445Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251201T172622Z
UID:17368-1762952400-1762956000@echochildren.org
SUMMARY:Ricardo Bertolla\, PhD: Paternal effects on child health and development: where are we now\, where do we need to be?
DESCRIPTION:Paternal effects on child health and development: where are we now\, where do we need to be? \nKey Takeaways: For this talk\, Dr. Bertolla will focus on what is currently known about paternal effects on obstetric outcomes that could impact child health and development\, and on direct paternal effects that have been shown to impact child health and development. Dr. Bertolla will focus on both animal and human studies. He will also present information of these outcomes in infertility cohorts\, where paternal effects have been particularly important in child health and development. \n \nRicardo Bertolla\, PhD \nAssociate Professor \nC.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development \nDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynecology \nWayne State University\, School of Medicine \nSpeaker Biography: Dr. Bertolla is an Associate Professor at the C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development at Wayne State University. His research is focused on cellular and molecular mechanisms of male infertility. \nDownload the slide presentation
URL:https://echochildren.org/event/ricardo-bertolla-phd-paternal-effects-on-child-health-and-development-where-are-we-now-where-do-we-need-to-be/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251210T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251210T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T121259
CREATED:20251208T163911Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260105T161334Z
UID:17515-1765371600-1765375200@echochildren.org
SUMMARY:Allan C. Just\, PhD: Air pollution and temperature as spatial factors impacting child health
DESCRIPTION:Air pollution and temperature as spatial factors impacting child health \nKey Takeaways: For this talk\, Dr. Just explores how air pollution and temperature act as spatial factors impacting child health\, with a focus on advanced exposure modeling using satellite data and machine learning. It highlights unique opportunities within the ECHO program to build spatiotemporal exposure models\, integrate diverse data sources\, and improve the accuracy of environmental health studies. Dr. Just also discusses technical challenges\, model comparisons\, and the importance of analyzing short-term exposures and humidity’s role in heat-related health outcomes. \n \nAllan C. Just\, PhD \nNazareth-Ferguson Family University Associate Professor \nof Public Health in the Department of Epidemiology and \nInstitute at Brown for Environment and Society \nSpeaker Biography: Allan C. Just\, PhD\, is an Associate Professor of Public Health in the Department of Epidemiology and the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society at Brown University. Dr. Just specializes in environmental exposure modeling and epidemiology\, leveraging satellite data and earth observations to enhance exposure assessment for large health registries and cohort studies. Dr. Just is recognized for advancing methodologies in air pollution and temperature modeling to support child health research. \nDownload the slide presentation
URL:https://echochildren.org/event/allan-c-just-phd-air-pollution-and-temperature-as-spatial-factors-impacting-child-health/
CATEGORIES:airways,environmental,innovations,outcomes
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260114T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260114T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T121259
CREATED:20251224T031731Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T211523Z
UID:17652-1768395600-1768399200@echochildren.org
SUMMARY:Jean Kerver\, PhD\, MSc\, RD: Incorporating Early Life Micronutrient Status in ECHO studies of Neurodevelopment
DESCRIPTION:Incorporating Early Life Micronutrient Status in ECHO studies of Neurodevelopment \nKey Takeaways: \nIt is known that early life nutrition\, including pregnancy diet and infant feeding\, is critical for brain development\, yet the impact of the suboptimal micronutrient status of the US population is unknown. In this presentation\, Dr. Kerver discusses micronutrient status\, highlighting biomarkers rather than dietary intake\, and its impact on neurodevelopment. She reviews often overlooked interactions between nutrients and environmental toxicants. Dr. Kerver suggests areas where ECHO can better leverage existing knowledge about nutrition’s impact on neurodevelopment. She advocates for greater integration of these interactions in ECHO analyses. \n \nJean Kerver\, PhD\, MSc\, RD  \nDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics\nCollege of Human Medicine\, Traverse City Campus\nMichigan State University\nContact Principal Investigator of ECHO Award 129 \nSpeaker Biography: \nJean Kerver\, PhD\, MSC\, RD\, is the contact Principal Investigator of ECHO Award 129 at Michigan State University. An epidemiologist and registered dietitian\, Dr. Kerver investigates perinatal causes of childhood disorders and develops strategies to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors among families experiencing poverty or other challenges. Based in Traverse City\, Dr. Kerver supports MSU’s College of Human Medicine rural research network initiative. Her primary research focuses on micronutrients and neurodevelopment\, with an emphasis on biomarkers and exposures. \nDownload the slide presentation
URL:https://echochildren.org/event/jean-kerver-phd-msc-rd-incorporating-early-life-micronutrient-status-in-echo-studies-of-neurodevelopment/
CATEGORIES:environmental,innovations,neuro,pregnancy
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260211T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260211T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T121259
CREATED:20251224T035340Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260220T212221Z
UID:17654-1770814800-1770818400@echochildren.org
SUMMARY:Courtney K Blackwell\, PhD\, MEd: The kids are(n’t) alright: The role of social media in youth mental health  
DESCRIPTION:The kids are(n’t) alright: The role of social media in youth mental health   \nKey Takeaways: The parallel rise of youth mental health problems and social media use has led to speculations that the latter is a key contributor to the former. The US Surgeon General’s Advisory bolstered such speculations with a recent report detailing the potential harmful effects of social media use on youth mental health. However\, others suggest engaging in social media can have positive psychological influences by increasing social connectedness and providing opportunities for creative self-expression and identity exploration. Dr. Blackwell will explore this duality by reviewing what we know about youth social media use and mental health outcomes\, highlighting recent and on-going ECHO studies on this topic. She will also provide insight into the ECHO media use data more broadly to inspire future work leveraging the ECHO Cohort. \n \nCourtney K Blackwell\, PhD\, MEd\nshe/her/hers\nAssociate Professor\nDepartment of Medical Social Sciences (Outcome and Measurement Science)\nFeinberg School of Medicine\, Northwestern University\nMPI\, ECHO Measurement Core \nBiography: \nCourtney Blackwell\, PhD\, MEd\, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Social Sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She is the MPI of the ECHO Measurement Core and has expertise in the development\, validation\, and implementation of patient-reported outcome measures and population health surveys for use across the lifespan\, general and clinical populations\, and health domains. Her research on pediatric mental health and well-being emphasizes promotive and protective factors of children’s positive psychological health. With a background in communication studies and the effects of digital media on child development\, Dr. Blackwell has spent the past 10 years collaborating with such organizations as Common Sense Media\, Sesame Workshop\, PBS\, Google\, and Code.org on national surveys of children’s media use\, the development and evaluation of educational media products\, and investigations of the effects of digital media on children’s learning and development. She is also a Faculty Affiliate with the Northwestern University Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences (“DevSci”) and the Northwestern Institute for Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being. \nDownload the slide presentation
URL:https://echochildren.org/event/courtney-k-blackwell-phd-med-adolescent-social-media-and-mental-health/
CATEGORIES:neuro,outcomes,positive
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260311T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260311T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T121259
CREATED:20260220T191125Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T143850Z
UID:17983-1773234000-1773237600@echochildren.org
SUMMARY:Alicia Peterson\, PhD: Early-Life PFAS Exposure and Child Health: Evidence from the NIH ECHO Cohort
DESCRIPTION:Early Life PFAS Exposure and Child Health: Evidence from the NIH ECHO Cohort \nKey Takeaways: The widespread presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment has raised concerns about their potential impacts on child health. This presentation will explore the current state of knowledge by reviewing PFAS exposure and child health research within the ECHO Program. The talk will highlight the PFAS data available through ECHO\, summarize key findings from ECHO-supported studies\, and examine evidence linking prenatal and early life PFAS exposure to a range of health outcomes. It will also discuss the strengths of the ECHO platform\, identify remaining research gaps\, and consider future directions to advance understanding and prevention of PFAS-related health impacts in children. \n \nAlicia Peterson\, PhD \nStaff Scientist\nKaiser Permanente Northern California\nDivision of Research\nWomen’s and Children’s Health Section\n \nBiography: \nAlicia Peterson\, PhD\, is a Staff Scientist in the Division of Research at Kaiser Permanente Northern California. A perinatal and environmental epidemiologist by training\, her research focuses on sensitive windows of exposure across the preconception\, prenatal\, and early-life periods. She examines environmental contaminants and metabolic exposures that may influence in utero programming and shape later growth\, metabolic health\, and pubertal development. \nDr. Peterson has been involved in ECHO since 2017\, initially completing her dissertation within the Cycle 1 MADRES Cohort. She now serves as a Co-Investigator in the Kaiser Permanente pregnancy and pediatric cohorts. She previously served as Co-Chair of the ECHO PFAS Special Interest Group and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Chemical and Physical Exposures Working Group. She is also the recipient of an ECHO Cycle 2\, Round 1 Opportunities and Innovation Fund (OIF) award examining early-life air pollution exposure and pubertal development. \nDownload the slide presentation
URL:https://echochildren.org/event/alicia-peterson-phd-early-life-pfas-exposure-and-child-health-evidence-from-the-nih-echo-cohort/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260408T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260408T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T121259
CREATED:20260318T195657Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260318T204328Z
UID:18094-1775653200-1775656800@echochildren.org
SUMMARY:Elissa Z Faro\, PhD: Participant Experience in Longitudinal Research
DESCRIPTION:Participant Experience in Longitudinal Research \nKey Takeaways: \nDuring this presentation\, Dr. Faro will provide an overview of the current research on participant experience in longitudinal research. She will also present the analysis and results of the “Characterizing Participant Experience in Longitudinal Research: How and Why Engagement Matters in the ECHO Program” research. Positive experiences in research are multidimensional. Respectful\, family-centered interpersonal relationships with staff\, as well as practical aspects such as efficient scheduling\, manageable survey lengths\, and clear communication\, are equally crucial for maintaining engagement and satisfaction. Finally\, Dr. Faro will reflect on how the current participant engagement work in ECHO Cycle 2 reflects and attends to these principles. \n \nElissa Z Faro\, PhD \nElissa Z Faro\, PhD\nManager\, Associate Member \nCenter for Discovery & Innovation @ Hackensack Meridian Health\nAssociate Professor | Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine \nBiography: \nDr. Elissa Zoe Faro is a medical anthropologist and implementation scientist at the Center for Discovery and Innovation\, where her research focuses on improving healthcare delivery and outcomes for underserved populations in the U.S. and globally. She applies ethnographic and mixed‑methods research to understand contextual factors influencing real‑world practice and to bridge the gap between evidence‑based interventions and their implementation in clinical\, public health\, and community settings. Her work spans diverse areas\, including pediatric emergency care\, maternal and child health\, sexual and reproductive health implementation\, and health equity. In addition to her Participant Engagement and Evaluation work on ECHO\, Dr. Faro currently serves as the contact Principal Investigator for an NIMH‑funded R01 three-variable hybrid implementation-effectiveness-context trial and as a Senior Implementation Scientist for the NIH IMPROVE initiative\, both focused on improving maternal health outcomes. She has held academic appointments at institutions including the University of Iowa\, Albert Einstein College of Medicine\, Dartmouth College\, and Brown University. \nJoin the meeting now \n 
URL:https://echochildren.org/event/elissa-z-faro-phd-participant-experience-in-longitudinal-research/
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