Harvard Catalyst Profiles

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Amy O'Connell, M.D.,Ph.D.

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Biography
education and training
Merrimack College, North Andover, MAB.S.2002Biochemistry
Jefferson Medical College/Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PAM.D./Ph.D.2009Immunology
University of Vermont, Burlington, VTResidency2012Pediatrics
Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MAFellowship2014Allergy/Immunology
Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MAFellowship2017Neonatology

Overview
overview
Dr. O'Connell has a history of research in immunology and the molecular characterization of oprhan diseases. Her current projects include:
1. Determining the importance of Wnt2b for intestinal health
2. Examining the role of cellular and molecular developmental changes of the intestine in susceptibility to necrotizing enterocolitis.
3. Assessing whether immune receptor repertoire analysis can improve immunodeficiency screening in premature infants.
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Mentoring
current student opportunities
Available: 03/19/24, Expires: 03/18/26

Newborn infants with malrotation of the intestine can develop a life-threatening disease called volvulus, where the intestine twists on its own blood supply. Bilious emesis can be a sign of this, so any infant with bilious emesis undergoes an upper GI radiographic dye study to rule out volvulus. The specificity of bilious emesis for volvulus, though, is extremely low, resulting in extreme costs and very high numbers needed to screen to prevent one case of death due to volvulus. This project seeks to identify a prediction model to better determine which infants need an upper GI. There are multiple strata to this project, which would be perfect for a short or limited time research endeavor by a medical or graduate student. If you are interested in pediatrics, radiology, surgery, or even AI prediction models, this could be a good fit!


Research
research activities and funding
The research activities and funding listed below are automatically derived from NIH ExPORTER and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing items. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.
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  1. Jul 1, 2022 - Jun 20, 2024
    Harvard Digestive Disease Center
    Examining the role of canonical Wnts in NEC
    Role Description: Pilot & Feasibility Award
  2. (O'Connell) Jul 1, 2020 - Jun 30, 2022
    Boston Children's Hospital Office of Faculty Development
    Wnt2b in Susceptibility to Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)
    Role Description: Examining whether Wnt2b-producing telocytes are protective against NEC
  3. (O'Connell) Jul 1, 2020 - Jun 30, 2022
    Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research Innovation Fund
    Primary and Secondary Immunodeficiency Disorders in Extremely Premature Infants
    Role Description: Assessing a test to increase specificity of SCID newborn screening in extremely premature infants and characterizing a novel immune disorder in premature infants.
  4. PA-19-117 (O'Connell) Jan 11, 2020 - Dec 31, 2024
    NIH/NIDDK
    The Role of Wnt2b in Small Intestinal Health
    Role Description: Determining why Wnt2b is required for human intestinal health.
  5. R01HL146128 (KOUREMBANAS, STELLA) Mar 1, 2019 - Feb 28, 2027
    NIH
    MSC Exosome Treatment for BPD: Impact on Immunity and Lung Development
    Role: Co-Investigator

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selected publications
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© 2025 President and Fellows of Harvard College
Funded by the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences through its Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program, grant number UL1TR002541.