Drs. Ajibike Lapite & H. John Tadros Awarded Inaugural LEAPS Scholarships

Congratulations to Ajibike Lapite, MD (Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology) and H. John Tadros, MD (Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cardiology), who have each been awarded a LEAPS Scholarship through the Texas Children’s Research Vision program.

Dr. Lapite will investigate clonal hematopoiesis (CH) in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) following curative therapy, seeking to identify risk factors for CH and determine its impact on treatment outcomes and long-term health.

Dr. Tadros’s research will explore the contribution of cardiomyocyte single-nucleotide variants to pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy, providing new insights into the genetic drivers of heart muscle dysfunction in children.

These innovative projects exemplify the mission of the LEAPS program to support early-career investigators pursuing high-impact research that advances pediatric health and discovery.

##

Launched just this year, the Texas Children's Research Vision Launching Early Academic Physician Scientists (LEAPS) program provides structured, protected research time, mentorship, and milestone-driven oversight so early-career clinicians interested in pursuing a research career can generate preliminary data, publish, and develop the grant-writing skills needed to compete for independent federal funding. The program provides 75% protected research time and 25% clinical time for two years, with the option to renew for a third year contingent on a positive NIH K award review.