Hydrocephalus Association Highlights Revolutionary Women in Medical Research

Meet two incredible women who are inspiring HOPE throughout the hydrocephalus community with their dedicated expertise.

Dr. Shenandoah “Dody” Robinson – Dr. Robinson is a highly recognized Professor of Neurosurgery (PAR) at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center and holds active tenure at Kennedy Krieger Institute.  Her subspecialty interests are the surgical treatment of epilepsy, cerebral palsy and related movement disorders, as well as congenital hydrocephalus.  Photo (left): Dr. Robinson attends Maryland WALK to show unwavering support 

Dr. Lauren Jantzie – Dr. Jantzie is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a Researcher at Kennedy Krieger Institute. Jantzie’s lab investigates pediatric brain injury common to infants and toddlers as well as pain and cognition in cerebral palsy. Her lab is dedicated to understanding disease processes in a developing brain, supporting ideation of new treatment options and therapeutic strategies. 

Through their collaborative research program, Drs. Robinson and Jantzie examine how injury to the developing brain leads to deficits, and further explore what can be done to repair the damage. After receiving an Innovator Award from the Hydrocephalus Association (HA) in 2016, the duo began focusing more of their research efforts on hydrocephalus. With funding received from HA’s Innovator Award, Robinson & Jantzie were able to compete for additional funding from the Department of Defense (DoD) to further their work. In 2019, the pair was awarded a total of $2.3M in DoD grants. 

“I think one of the most motivating things for me is the families…you see them in the middle of the night…at the scariest of times. They often ask, why is there not something better? I want to contribute to that something better.” – Dr. Robinson

Drs. Robinson and Jantzie are invested in the hydrocephalus community. They provide community members of the Association with education, insight, and inspire hope for those living with or have a connection to hydrocephalus. They obtain feedback from patients and caregivers, WALK alongside our community, and speak at educational events across the nation.

The Advancement to Human Clinical Trials: Hydrocephalus Post Brain Bleed

Working as one, Drs. Robinson & Jantzie are utilizing their expertise and resources to begin the first human clinical trial of a drug combination to prevent the development of hydrocephalus after a brain bleed. Recruitment has begun at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. The initial trial will be in premature babies and the long-term goal is to apply this to the adult population, ultimately benefiting individuals across the age spectrum. Photo (left): Dr. Jantzie speaks at LUNCH & LEARN to parents of hydrocephalus, inspiring hope for the road ahead. 

As these revolutionary women make their way through rigorous clinical trials, they have the support of the Hydrocephalus Association and the hydrocephalus community behind them. 

For more information on innovator research or to learn more about how you can get involved in research, click here: https://www.hydroassoc.org/get-involved-in-research/

Related article: HA-Funded Researchers Awarded $2.3 Million Grant from the Department of Defense hydroassoc.org/ha-funded-researchers-awarded-2-3-million-grant-from-the-department-of-defense/