Katharine R. Tsukahara

Nicholas Whipple, MD, MPH, received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, MS. After completing his pediatric residency at the University of Utah and Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT, Dr. Whipple completed 3 years of fellowship training in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and 1 year of Fellowship training in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. During fellowship training, Dr. Whipple also earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University. Dr. Whipple joined the faculty of the University of Utah in 2017, where he is currently an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology. He serves as the Medical Director of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at Primary Children’s Hospital and the University of Utah. He also serves as the Principal Investigator for the Pacific Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC) in Utah (1 of 18 sites in the nation), where he oversees all PNOC clinical trials in Utah. Dr. Whipple’s clinical focus is in pediatric neuro-oncology, histiocytic disorders, and rare tumors. He has authored several publications and book chapters on a variety of topics in both pediatric hematology and oncology. His research primarily focuses on pediatric neuro-oncology, hereditary cancer syndromes, and improving the treatment of children with central nervous system tumors using molecularly targeted therapies. He is currently working to develop early phase clinical trials for children with recurrent malignant central nervous tumors. Dr. Whipple is board certified in both Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology-Oncology.

Dr. Karen James received her medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. She completed her Pediatrics residency at Golisano Children’s Hospital at the University of Rochester, and her Pediatric Rheumatology fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She is currently an Instructor in Pediatric Rheumatology at the University of Utah School of Medicine and Primary Children’s Medical Center. As a pediatric rheumatologist, Dr. James’ clinical interests include vasculitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, autoinflammatory diseases and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. She also evaluates patients with musculoskeletal and joint pain. Her research focuses on diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of children diagnosed with vasculitis.

Luca Brunelli, M.D., Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Division of Neonatology at the University of Utah, School of Medicine. He provides neonatology services at three facilities, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at University of Utah Hospital, Primary Children’s Hospital and Intermountain Medical Center. Among his responsibilities is educating Pediatric Residents, Neonatology Fellows and Neonatal Nurse Practitioners.