Research News and Stories

We make great strides every day on our mission of improving the health and well-being of children through state-of-the-art translational research. Here you can find the latest news and feature stories on the groundbreaking work of the Children’s Mercy Research Institute investigators and research teams, and how their discoveries and work are changing the future of pediatric medicine.

Thanks to ground-breaking research at the Genomic Medicine Center at Children’s Mercy, new treatments provide hope to infants with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a rare cancer of the blood and bone marrow that has a very poor prognosis. Watch as baby Brisia joins just 49 other infants.

News from the Children's Mercy Research Institute

Dr. Staggs Serves as U.S. Expert on International Study of Psychiatric Restraint Use

December 17, 2020

Dr. Perry Receives Grant from ESPN-founded Organization to Better Target Chemoresistant Cells

November 10, 2020

Dr. Staggs Named Inaugural Director of the Biostatistics and Epidemiology Core (BEC)

October 14, 2020

Dr. Wagner Receives Thrasher Research Fund Grant to Study How Liver Fat Affects Liver Drug Transport and Cholesterol Regulation

September 29, 2020

Dr. Elin Grundberg Receives $3.2 Million NIH Grant to Study Social Stress, (Epi)genetics and Their Link to Viral Infection and Asthma

September 03, 2020

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Our latest discoveries and stories

Jayden Johnson smiling and giving two thumbs up. He is wearing a red shirt that reads "STRONG."

Peanut Allergy: Jayden's Story

Learn about Jayden

Dr. Valentina Shakhnovich in lab setting smiling at camera.

Research Participants Find Mentorship and Inspiration to Pursue Career in Medicine

Lean more about this mentorship story

Child look at a laptop smiling and pressing button on the keyboard.

Stay Active Program Keeps Kids Moving During COVID-19

Learn about the Stay Active Program

Predicting the Future of Health Care: Using Big Data to Treat Type 1 Diabetes

Learn more about this research on treating type 1 diabetes

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Why Research Matters

“Our focus on pediatric ethics – which involves the complex decision-making involving children – is uniquely positioned to advance and consult on current and future clinical research. The ongoing pandemic has been a reminder of the vital importance of funding public health, research and health care. I’m excited to be a part of this exciting time in research activities at Children’s Mercy.”

Vanessa Watkins
MPH, FACHE, CHES
Program Manager, Bioethics