My research focuses on the diagnostic process for PCD, specifically on the role of nasal nitric oxide (nNO) testing in making a diagnosis of PCD.

Dr. Nicholson’s research interests focus on functional outcome and sequelae of interventional pediatric cardiology procedures through multi center collaboration. In addition, he's worked alongside Drs. Dana Janssen and Thomas Doyle to found Influent Medical, LLC, a biomedical startup with a mission of developing devices for congenital heart disease.

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Dr. Nicholson has a broad background in clinical and epidemiologic pediatric research, including advanced training in biostatistics and protocol development and experience conducting prospective studies requiring patient enrollment. These skills were obtained through her fellowship in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and acquiring a Master's of Public Health in Epidemiology at Vanderbilt University. As an Associate Professor of Pediatrics in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, she has established the Pediatric C. difficile Clinic, which cares for children with refractory and recurrent C. difficile disease. She has also established the Pediatric Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and established herself as an expert in the treatment of C. difficile infections nationally as the co-PI on a multi-center consortium evaluating FMT in pediatric patients with recurrent C. difficile. She received the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASGPHAN) Young Faculty Clinical Investigator award for this work and has been made the NASGPHAN FMT Special Interest Group co-chair. She has had continuous NIH funding since 2012, including NIAID K23 and U19 awards, and over 40 peer-reviewed publications.

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Dr. Ngo's scholarly interests focus on developing physician educators and academic leaders through mentorship, professional identity formation, curriculum innovation and educational scholarship. Her work explores how evidence-informed educational practices—including coaching, feedback, reflective practice and psychologically safe learning environments—can foster critical thinking, lifelong learning and meaningful professional growth.