Precision Immunology for the
Unknown Unknowns of Pediatric Sepsis
The Lindell Lab combines discovery-based multi-omics with ex vivo functional assays to identify the molecular drivers of organ failure in pediatric sepsis.
Transforming pediatric sepsis care through precision immunology.
Pediatric sepsis is the leading cause of death for hospitalized children worldwide. While it is defined by a dysregulated host response to infection, our ability to match patients to precision treatments has long been hampered by extreme biologic variation.
The Lindell Lab is dedicated to solving this fundamental knowledge gap. We believe that by understanding the molecular events causing organ failure in sepsis, we can identify “treatable traits” and learn to deliver targeted therapies to the children who need them most.
Our Scientific Approach
- — Endotype Discovery: We utilize longitudinal biospecimens linked to granular patient data to define distinct molecular endotypes associated with clinical outcomes and organ failure trajectories in sepsis.
- — Therapeutic Prioritization: Using bioinformatics tools like the LINCS perturbation atlas, we match patient immune signatures with precision treatments and test drug response ex vivo using human biospecimens.
- — Precision Genomics: Through whole genome sequencing, we interrogate genetic susceptibility to immune dysregulation, identifying hidden inborn errors of immunity that contribute to sepsis pathobiology.
From Bedside to Bench and Back
Cohort Development
Automated EHR screening and same-day enrollment of the sickest children in the PICU.
Immune Phenotyping
Spectral flow cytometry, proteomics, transcriptomics, and genomics, all run in-house for immediate impact.
Multi-Omic Integration
Advanced MOFA and machine learning pipelines to define biological endotypes.
Functional Testing
Ex vivo immunoassays to match patient immune signatures with pathway-directed therapeutics.
Lab News
Hector R. Wong Award Winner
Huge congratulations to Steven D. Ham, MD who was honored with the Hector R. Wong Award for Precision Medicine in Sepsis and a STAR Research Award at the 2026 SCCM Critical Care Congress in Chicago.
Two Lab Members Match at CHOP!
Congratulations to our medical students Jocelyn Chau, BS and Casey Hofstaedter, PhD who both matched at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for residency!
NIH/NICHD T32 Fellowship
Second-year PICU fellow Steven D. Ham, MD received T32 funding to continue his translational research into the neutrophil-complement axis in TAMOF through 2028.
Lauren Marsillio-Craney Lectureship
Dr. Lindell was honored to deliver the Lauren Marsillio-Craney Memorial Lectureship at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, recognizing the legacy of Lauren Marsillio-Craney, a former CHOP PCCM fellow and Lurie faculty member.
Jacques Lacroix Award Winner
Congratulations to Steven D. Ham, MD for receiving the Jacques Lacroix Junior Investigator Award from the PALISI BloodNet Subgroup in September 2025.
PALISI Research Course in Montreal
Dr. Lindell served as Course Director for the PALISI Clinical Research Course for Junior Investigators in Montreal, which brought together 40+ participants to learn about building a research career in pediatric critical care.
Precision Sepsis Care Initiative
With support from the CHOP Frontier Programs, we officially launched the Precision Sepsis Care Initiative, an integrated research program bridging discovery-based multi-omics with real-time diagnostics at the bedside.
NIGMS K23 Award
Dr. Lindell received the Notice of Award for his NIGMS K23 Career Development Award to support the development of a precision immunology framework for critically ill children with sepsis under the mentorship of Sarah E. Henrickson, MD, PhD and Nuala J. Meyer, MD, MSTR.
CHOP Research Poster Day
Clinical nurse research coordinator and lab member Teresa Arroyo, RN, BSN won the Patient-Oriented Research Award for her work on automated EHR screening for sepsis at CHOP Poster Day.
International Patent
Drs. Lindell, Henrickson, and Meyer filed a new international patent application (PCT/US2025/030698) that defines methods for identifying endotype-specific molecular signatures in pediatric patients with sepsis.
Hector R. Wong Award Winner
Dr. Lindell was honored to receive the Hector R. Wong Award for Precision Medicine in Sepsis and a STAR Research Award at the 2025 SCCM Critical Care Congress in Orlando.
Research Training & Collaboration
The Lindell Lab is a dedicated to mentoring the next generation of physician-scientists. We welcome inquiries from motivated graduate students, medical students, residents, and fellows interested in working at the intersection of immunology, bioinformatics, and critical care.
Join our Team!
