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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: 01/10/22, Expires: 03/01/24

Our lab studies intestinal and immune development with a focus on premature infants. We have also characterized several novel genetic diseases and use these to help understand normal development. Current projects in the lab include: 1. Understanding how loss of Wnt2b causes decreased intestinal stem cells. 2. Developing an organoid model for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a deadly intestinal disease in premature infants. 3. Developing a novel organoid system to model tissue resident immune cells in the intestine. 4. Characterizing additional novel orphan diseases, particularly those affecting the immune system and/or intestine. 5. Studying developmental changes that make a premature baby susceptible to NEC.

Available: 12/01/22, Expires: 12/31/23

Our lab is becoming more interested in clinical usefulness of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for a variety of autoimmune conditions. IVIG is used in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for autoimmune hemolytic disease, neonatal thrombocytopenia, and other situations, however, its mechanism of action is not well understood. In this first step project we would like review clinical cases where IVIG was used in the Harvard Longwood area NICUs in order to get a better sense of case numbers to plan for a prospective clinical trial. This project is very doable for a student project in a reasonable time frame.


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, 2023
    NIH
    MSC Exosome Treatment for BPD: Impact on Immunity and Lung Development
    Role: Co-Investigator

Bibliographic
selected publications
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© 2023 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.