Chandy C. John, MD, MS

Chandy C. John, MD, MS, holds the Ryan White Endowed Chair in Pediatric Infectious Diseases and is director of the Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. John’s research focuses on malaria pathogenesis, immunology and epidemiology.

Key discoveries of his collaborative research team include:

1) the first prospective studies to establish that severe malaria is associated with long-term cognitive impairment in children

2) identification of immunologic factors that increase risk of severe malaria and cognitive impairment after severe malaria

3) determination of geographic and immunologic factors that affect risk of malaria in areas of unstable malaria transmission

4) the first studies to show that hydroxyurea treatment is safe and effective for children with sickle cell anemia who live in malaria endemic areas

Dr. John is an active clinician, specializing in pediatric infectious diseases and tropical medicine. He conducts research and training programs in Kenya in collaboration with colleagues at the Kenya Medical Research Institute and Moi University, and in Uganda in collaboration with colleagues at Makerere University. He is the author of more than 250 peer-reviewed publications and 30 book chapters. Dr. John received the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society’s Young Investigator Award in 2004, and the Bailey K. Ashford Medal from the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in 2011. Dr. John is also a writer who has published poetry, essays and short stories.

Dr. John served as president of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in 2019, and currently serves as co-chair of the Thrasher Research Scientific Advisory Board, a member of the Fogarty International Center Advisory Board, and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases.