Dr Schelonka

Editor-in-Chief: Robert L. Schelonka

Dr. Schelonka is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Chief of the Division of Neonatology at the Oregon Health and Science University Portland, OR, USA. His laboratory-based research efforts focus on the relative immunodeficiency of neonates and inflammatory-mediated fetal and neonatal end organ injury. He believes that understanding the ontogeny of cellular immunity, as a function of the development and diversification of T and B cell antigen receptors, will provide clues and identify targets for the development of novel therapeutics aimed at specific gaps in immune function.  Further, he is actively investigating whether fetal or neonatal infection with the mycoplasmas, previously thought to be indolent or unimportant pathogens, may contribute to white matter injury in the brain.  In the clinical arena, his research efforts center on prevention of nosocomial infections by pharmacologic, immune augmentation and infection control strategies.

As an active clinician, Dr. Schelonka has consulted or practised neonatology in North, Central and South America, Saudi Arabia as well as South Korea, Japan and the Mariana Islands.