The Stead Family Department of Pediatrics is a research-driven institution with a long, distinguished history of excellence.
Strong physician scientists lead our research programs. With 17 subspecialty divisions, we are constantly making scientific advances that lead to greater understanding and innovative therapies for childhood diseases.
Here, people like you are encouraged to be curious and discover what could be. We continue investing in researchers and recently renovated lab space to support your work. Our finance team works closely with researchers to support them through the grant process.
Our Blue Ridge ranking reflects our commitment to pediatric research excellence, jumping five spots after years of steady growth.
Strengths
Our department of is known nationally and internationally for its work in genetic and environmental contributors to pediatric disease. Other groundbreaking research includes:
- Anemia and transfusion of pre-term infants
- Breastfeeding promotion and support
- Disruptive behaviors
- Epilepsy
- Feeding disorders
- Fetal programming of cardiovascular disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Prevention/intervention/treatment of diabetes in children
- Treatment for asthma and cystic fibrosis
Research Funding
NIH Funding
| Year | Rank | Total Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 24 | $17,614,467 |
| 2023 | 29 | $14,245,767 |
| 2022 | 28 | $14,293,750 |
| 2021 | 27 | $14,109,220 |
| 2020 | 25 | $14,359,397 |
*Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research rankings
All External Funding
| Year | Total Dollars |
|---|---|
| FY24 | $29,322,890 |
| FY23 | $23,593,052 |
| FY22 | $21,898,164 |
| FY21 | $20,620,972 |
| FY20 | $20,836,153 |
No. 24
NIH Funding Rank FY 24
$ 20 Million +
Total External Funding FY 24
35+
NIH Funded Faculty Members
Developing Physician Scientists
The Stead Family Department of Pediatrics has a long-standing commitment to training future leaders in academic medicine. Along with our nationally-recognized research, we have a strong history of successful fellow physician research mentorships.
We offer many opportunities for individualized postdoctoral research to place trainees on the path to an academic career.
- Explore our subspecialty fellowship programs
- Discover individualized training in the Physician Scientist Training Pathway (PSTP)
- Explore our junior faculty career development program
From Bench to Bedside
Clinical and translational research are particularly strong at Iowa. The University of Iowa's Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, through its NIH-supported CTSA Child Health Leadership group, supports child health researchers by:
- Assisting in grant preparation
- Biostatistical analysis
- Database creation and management
- Information technology assistance
Through patient-oriented investigation, child health links multidisciplinary activities with approaches that expand the scope of translational research at Iowa.
A Multidisciplinary Approach
Our Stead Family Department of Pediatrics is consistently highly ranked among all medical college departments in NIH research funding for pediatric diseases.
Pediatric laboratory investigation emphasizes cellular and molecular biology, developmental biology, applied genetics and genomics, animal models of human disease, and translational research. Studies emphasize a multidisciplinary team approach.
Our collaborative research environment provides an outstanding setting for training the next generation of scientists with research interests focusing on problems that affect children's health.