Ani Manichaikul, Ph.D.
Meet the Researcher
Ani Manichaikul, Ph.D. is an assistant professor at the University of Virginia Department of Public Health Sciences and Center for Public Health Genomics. Manichaikul received her Ph.D. in biostatistics at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. Manichaikul’s research focuses on statistical genetics and genetic epidemiology in human cohorts, as well as translational research bridging mouse and human genetic studies.
The Research
University of Virginia
Susceptibility to chronic otitis media: translating gene to function
Each year in the United States, over $5 billion is spent on healthcare for inflammation of the middle ear (ME) known as Otitis Media (OM) in children. Some children develop chronic middle ear infections known as chronic otitis media with effusion and/or recurrent otitis media (COME/ROM). Our goal is to find genetic factors that increase risk for COME/ROM in children. The discovery of causal variants would increase knowledge of novel genes and pathways involved in COME/ROM pathogenesis.
Research area: Otitis Media; Genetics
Long-term goal of research: To improve the clinical prevention of chronic infections; therefore decreasing pediatric antibiotic use, surgery, and deafness.