Johana Diaz, MD

I am a junior clinician-scientist, and currently an assistant professor of pediatrics in the division of neonatology at the university of Maryland medical center. My research interests and work is focused on hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in newborns, neurodevelopment and prevention and treatment of neonates at risk for brain injury.

I have worked on a preclinical model of HIE, and developed a protocol to assess neurobehavior in mice. In addition, I work on the effect of voluntary and forced exercise on neurotrophin expression following HI brain injury.

Presently we are on the planning and implementation phase to develop a Neonatal neurocritical Care unit, a multidisciplinary group which main mission is to optimize outcomes for an at-risk neonate by providing supportive and preventive care.