Expertise

Dr. Clapp's laboratory is focused on understanding the molecular pathogenesis of two genetic diseases that result in both hematopoietic malignancies as well as solid tumors. One major area of interest is to understand the role of the NF1 tumor suppressor gene. Mutations in NF1 cause the common genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) which is associated with a predisposition to neural crest derived tumors and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML).

Ongoing work is focused on both understanding additional paracrine interactions in the growth of plexiform neurofibromas and in identifying additional molecular targets involved in tumor progression. Dr. Clapp's group is also interested in the cellular and biochemical functions of an orphan group of proteins that are involved in the heterogenetic disorder Fanconi Anemia.

Dr. Clapp's laboratory is focusing on understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie the genesis of the bone marrow failure and clonal evolution of hematopoietic malignancies.

Research Interests:

  • Neonatology
  • Genetic, biochemical and cell-cell interactions leading to neurofibromas
  • Novel experimental therapeutics for pediatric cancers

Expertise: Neurodevelopment Research

Affiliations

Department Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine

Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine

Professor, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine

Professor, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine

Affiliate Faculty, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine

Affiliate Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine

Member, IU Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Centers and Institutes, Indiana University School of Medicine

Investigator, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Centers and Institutes, Indiana University School of Medicine

Member, Center for the Cure of Glioblastoma, Centers and Institutes, Indiana University School of Medicine

Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Centers and Institutes, Indiana University School of Medicine

Past Affiliations

Professor, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Purdue University (past)

Member, Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Centers and Institutes, Indiana University School of Medicine

Neonatology Genetic, biochemical and cell-cell interactions leading to neurofibromas Novel experimental therapeutics for pediatric cancers, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Purdue University (past)

Neonatology - M.D./Ph.D. Program

Neonatology - Developmental Hematopoiesis

Neonatology - Morris Green Scholarship

Neonatology - Tumor Microenvironment

Professor, Microbiology and Immunology

Associate Professor, Microbiology and Immunology

Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, School of Medicine (past)

Assistant Professor, Pediatrics

Senior Lecturer, Pediatrics

Richard L. Schreiner Professor, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, School of Medicine (past)

Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, School of Medicine (past)

Professor, Cancer Research

Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, School of Medicine (past)

Associate Professor, Cancer Research

Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, School of Medicine (past)

School of Medicine, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Professor, Gene Transfer/Gene Therapy

Assistant Professor, Microbiology and Immunology

Freida and Albrecht Kipp Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology/Immunology, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, School of Medicine (past)

Member of Graduate Faculty, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, School of Medicine (past)

Professor, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, School of Medicine (past)

Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, School of Medicine (past)

Communities
Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Oncology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Human Genetics, Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Cellular Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Immunology, Neuroscience, Biomedical Science, Molecular Biochemistry, Microbiology
Degrees
MD, Indiana University, Pediatrics, 1982
BA, Hanover College, Biology, 1977
Keywords
bone marrow cardiovascular system blood diseases pulmonary diseases respiratory diseases genetic manipulation complementary dna cardiology cardiopulmonary chest medicine polymerase chain reaction transfection in situ hybridization
Honors

Trustees Award for Teaching, Indiana University Bloomington, 2005-2005

Co-Chair International Neurofibromotosis Foundation Meeting, Internation Neurofibromotosis Foundation, 2005-2005

Freida and Albrecht Kipp Professorship, Indiana University Bloomington, 2005

Hanoverian Alumni Achievement Award, Hanover College (Hannover Medical School), 2005

Editorial Board, Journal of Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine, 2005

Co-Organizer Internation Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and 2 Symposium, International Neurofibromatosis Foundation, 2004-2004

Mark Brothers Selection Committee, School of Medicine (Indiana University), 2002

Editorial Board, Journal of Hematotherapy and Stem Cell Research, 2001

Editorial Board, Journal of Experimentat Hematology, 2001

Award of Tenure, Indiana University Bloomington, 1997

Sutherland Award - Young Investigator Award in Developmental Biology, Midwestern Society for Pediatric Research, 1993

Clinical Investigator Award, Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (National Institute of Hematology), 1992

Basil O'Connor Award, National March of Dimes Foundation, 1992

Young Investigator Award, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital Trustees (Indiana University Bloomington), 1990-1991

Fellow, Johnson & Johnson Insititue for Pediatric Research, 1990

Outstanding Research Presentation, Fellows Category Science Day 1988, Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital (Indiana University Bloomington), 1988

Alpha Omega Alpha, Indiana University Bloomington, 1985

Senior Honors - Pediatrics, Indiana University Bloomington, 1982

Junior Research Fellowship, March of Dimes (Indiana University Bloomington), 1981

Outstanding Scholarship-Leadership Award, Hanover College, 1977

Phi Eta Sigma, Hanover College, 1977

B.A. Cum Laude, Hanover College, 1977

Distinction-Oral/Written Senior Comprehensive Exams, Biology, Indiana University Bloomington, 1977

Associations
American Society for Clinical Investigation
American Society of Hematology
International Society for Environmental Epidemiology
Perinatal Research Society
Society for Developmental Biology
Society for Pediatric Research