PolicyLab experts are national leaders in bridging research and policy in core areas of child health and well-being. To contact an expert for an interview, please call Juliann Walsh, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia's Media Relations Specialist, at (267) 426-6054 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Chris Feudtner, MD, PhD, MPH
Co-Scientific Director, PolicyLab
Dr. Feudtner has extensive knowledge on the epidemiology and healthcare experience of children with complex chronic conditions, with specific expertise on palliative, end-of-life, and bereavement care and hospital in-patient care. Through his work at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, he chairs the Department of Medical Ethics, provides care to children with complex chronic conditions, and investigates ways to improve the quality of life for these children and their families. He has published more than 100 articles and chapters and one book.
Research Interests: Complex chronic conditions, family & parenting supports
Marsha Gerdes, PhD
Senior Psychologist, PolicyLab
Dr. Gerdes is a clinical psychologist and researcher who specializes in early childhood development. Her current research projects focus on school readiness, developmental screenings, neurodevelopment outcomes, and parent training, including the use of Parent Child Interaction Therapy and the Incredible Years Program.
Research Interests: Behavioral health, family & parenting supports, tailored preventive pediatric care
James Guevara, MD, MPH
Director of Interdisciplinary Initiatives, PolicyLab
Dr. Guevara has research and policy expertise in the organization, financing, and delivery of healthcare services to children with developmental and behavioral disabilities and parents with mental health conditions. Through his research initiatives, he focuses on improving the delivery of healthcare in primary care settings, reducing health disparities, and translating research findings into practice and policy.
Research Interests: Behavioral health, family & parenting supports, tailored pediatric preventive care
Cynthia J. Mollen, MD, MSCE
Co-Scientific Director, PolicyLab
Dr. Mollen’s research expertise and clinical interests are in adolescent health. In particular, she focuses on utilizing the emergency department and non-primary care settings for public health interventions related to unintended teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Methodologically, she has significant experience designing, conducting, and analyzing qualitative research projects with youth and their families in the areas of reproductive health, smoking, dating violence, and terminal illness.
Research Interests: Pregnancy education & prevention, STI education & prevention
Kathleen G. Noonan, JD
Senior Co-Director, PolicyLab
Kathleen Noonan is an expert in public system reforms, particularly in the field of child welfare. She has extensive experience working with state and local child welfare jurisdictions to design and implement comprehensive system reform strategies in partnership with local stakeholders.
Research Interests: Behavioral health, child welfare, family & parenting supports
Susmita Pati, MD, MPH
Director of Healthcare Access Initiatives, PolicyLab
Dr. Pati has broad expertise in health services research with a focus on investigating the impact of public policy on the health of underserved children and families. Her current research projects examine predictors of Medicaid retention, the relationship between maternal health literacy and child health outcomes, and methods for tailoring pediatric health supervision to individual needs.
Research Interests: Child health insurance, family health literacy, tailored pediatric preventive care
David Rubin, MD, MSCE
Senior Co-Director, PolicyLab
A general pediatrician by training, Dr. Rubin has extensive knowledge of health policy and practice for vulnerable populations, particularly youth in foster care. He leads the Children’s Stability and Well-Being Study (CSAW), a longitudinal investigation of the impact of placement stability on the outcomes of children entering out-of-home care. He has published extensively and testified before Congress on the health and well-being of children in child welfare.
Research Interests: Behavioral health, child welfare, family & parenting supports
