Kirsten M. Kloepfer, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
- Phone
- (317) 278-7860
- Address
-
705 Riley Hospital Drive
ROC 4270
Indianapolis, IN 46202 - PubMed:
Bio
Dr. Kloepfer is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine. She is a graduate of St. George’s University. Dr. Kloepfer completed her pediatric residency at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and an allergy and immunology fellowship at the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Kloepfer holds membership in numerous national professional societies including the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), the American Thoracic Society (ATS), and the Indiana Allergy Society. Her Research focuses on the development of the upper airway microbiome and its association with local inflammatory cytokine expression and airway obstruction. Dr Kloepfer has received the AAAAI Faculty Development Award and a K23 Career Development Award from the NIH.
| Year | Degree | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Fellowship | University of Wisconsin |
| 2012 | MS | University of Wisconsin-Madison |
| 2009 | Residency | University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences |
| 2006 | MD | St. George's University |
| 1998 | BS | Texas A&M University |
While investigating the association between pathogens and asthma exacerbations, Dr. Kloepfer became interested in the influence of airway bacteria on airway development. Culture detection of S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae or M. catarrhalis in infancy is associated with early wheeze and asthma, as well as increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-13. Furthermore, Dr. Kloepfer’s preliminary data demonstrates that decreased bacterial diversity in the airway at three months of age is associated with increased expression of IL-33 and IL-5, and wheeze by six months of age, suggesting that decreased bacterial diversity contributes to airway reactivity during early airway development. While an association has been established between cultured bacteria and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines; 16S rRNA sequencing that detects more bacteria than older culture techniques (97% vs. 5%), has not been utilized to investigate if decreased diversity of airway bacteria during infancy is linked with 1) an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and 2) airway obstruction. Because the prevalence of asthma continues to increase every year (currently 10% of the population), the etiology of asthma development needs further delineation, particularly in the developing airway prior to an asthma diagnosis. Therefore, to address the above questions, Dr. Kloepfer is currently investigating if airway dysbiosis is associated with an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and airway obstruction characterized by a decrease pulmonary function values and early episodes of wheeze.
Kloepfer KM; Sarsani VK; Poroyko V; Lee WM; Pappas TE; Kang T; Grindle KA; Bochkov YA; Janga SC; Lemanske RF Jr; Gern JE; The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology 2017 Mar 19
Vitalpur G; Padgett S; Kloepfer KM; Slaven J; Leickly FE; Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology 2016 Jul 25
Vitalpur G; Esquivel A; Kloepfer KM; Slaven JE; Leickly FE; Allergy, asthma, and clinical immunology : official journal of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2016 Apr 28
Kloepfer KM; Lee WM; Pappas TE; Kang TJ; Vrtis RF; Evans MD; Gangnon RE; Bochkov YA; Jackson DJ; Lemanske RF Jr; Gern JE; The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology 2014 Apr 1
Kloepfer KM; Olenec JP; Lee WM; Liu G; Vrtis RF; Roberg KA; Evans MD; Gangnon RE; Lemanske RF Jr; Gern JE; American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine 2012 Feb 23
Kloepfer KM; DeMore JP; Vrtis RF; Swenson CA; Gaworski KL; Bork JA; Evans MD; Gern JE; Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology 2011 Jan 13
As a member of the high risk asthma team, I am interested in identifying environmental factors that may prevent their asthma from being well controlled, and working with families to help change these environmental exposures. I also enjoy caring for children with hereditary angioedema, seasonal allergies and food allergies.
Desc: National Institute of Health Loan Repayment Program (LRP) Award
Scope: National
Date: 2019-01-01
Desc: National Institute of Health Loan Repayment Program (LRP) Award
Scope: National
Date: 2018-01-01
Desc: K23 Career Development Award
Scope: National
Date: 2017-11-01
Desc: Showalter Trust Award
Scope: National
Date: 2017-07-01
Desc: Faculty Development Award
Scope: National
Date: 2017-02-01
Desc: National Institute of Health Loan Repayment Program (LRP) Award
Scope: National
Date: 2017-01-01
Desc: National Institute of Health Loan Repayment Program (LRP) Award
Scope: National
Date: 2016-01-01
Desc: National Institute of Health Loan Repayment Program (LRP) Award
Scope: National
Date: 2015-01-01
Desc: Third Place Clinical Research
Scope: National
Date: 2013-10-01
Desc: National Institute of Health Loan Repayment Program (LRP) Award
Scope: National
Date: 2013-01-01
Desc: National Institute of Health Loan Repayment Program (LRP) Award
Scope: National
Date: 2012-01-01
Desc: Fellow-in-training Interest Section Award for Environmental and Occupational Respiratory Diseases
Scope: National
Date: 2011-03-01
Desc: National Institute of Health Loan Repayment Program (LRP) Award
Scope: National
Date: 2011-01-01
Desc: Young Investigator of the Year
Scope: Regional
Date: 2007-02-01