Chandy C. John, MD

Bio

Chandy John, MD, MS, holds the Ryan White Endowed Chair in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Indiana University and is a Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Global Health at Indiana University and Riley Hospital for Children.

Dr. John’s research studies are based in Uganda and Kenya, in collaboration with Makerere University, the Kenya Medical Research Institute, and Moi University. His research has advanced scientific and medical understanding in four key areas:

1. Neurodevelopmental impairment in severe malaria: Dr. John's work has provided new insights into the long-term cognitive effects of cerebral malaria and severe malarial anemia in children. His studies showed that cognitive impairment is present after both cerebral malaria and severe malarial anemia, and have identified multiple mechanisms that may contribute to this impairment.
2. Pathogenesis of severe malaria: Dr. John’s studies have identified clinical predictors of mortality in severe malaria, including presence of acute kidney injury, coma, impaired perfusion or acidosis, and mechanisms that may contribute to mortality, including intestinal injury, oxidative stress, and high plasma levels of angiopoietin-2.
3. Malaria transmission and immunity: In regions with unstable malaria transmission, Dr. John's research showed that immune responses to P. falciparum that are protective against clinical malaria wane in the absence of malaria transmission.
4. Reducing infection in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA): Dr. John studies have shown that trials showed that hydroxyurea is both safe and effective in malaria endemic areas, that escalating dose hydroxyurea treatment is more effective than, but as safe as, fixed dose hydroxyurea, and that hydroxyurea use is associated with reduced infections in children with SCA. The studies have paved the way for optimal use of hydroxyurea in African children with SCA to reduce SCA-related complications, including infection.

Dr. John’s research has led to more than 260 peer-reviewed publications. He is an international leader in global child health and infectious diseases. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, and has served on the Fogarty International Center Advisory Board, as co-chair of the Thrasher Research Fund Scientific Advisory Committee and as president of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 

Key awards received by Dr. John include election to the Association of American Physicians, the Caroline Breese Hall Award from the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, the Segar Family Award from the Midwest Society for Pediatric Research, the Bailey Ashford Medal from the American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society Young Investigator Award.

Dr. John is also a writer who has published poetry, short stories and essays.