Emily Perito

Dr. Emily Perito is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine specializing in pediatric liver and pancreatic disease, pediatric liver transplant, and pediatric gastroenterology. She is jointly appointed in the Departments of Pediatrics and Epidemiology and Biostatistics and affiliated faculty with the Institute for Health Policy Studies. Dr. Perito serves as Medical Director of UCSF's Pediatric Liver Center and Associate Medical Director of UCSF's multi-disciplinary Pediatric Liver Transplant team with expertise in caring for children with liver disease before and after transplantation.

Education:

• B.A. in History and Science, Harvard University (2001)
• M.D., Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (2006)
• M.A.S. in Clinical Research, University of California, San Francisco (2012)
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training, UCSF (2020)

Dr. Perito's research focuses on optimizing long-term outcomes for children with liver and pancreatic diseases through epidemiologic studies and clinical trials. Her work examines access to transplant, organ allocation, waitlist outcomes, and improving immunosuppression efficacy while reducing burden for children after liver transplant. She leads UCSF's work in NIH-sponsored multi-center trials including the INSPPIRE study on acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis in children and adolescents, with research on chronic pain management, opioid use, and outcomes after TPIAT.

Analysis of Dr. Perito's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on pediatric liver transplantation outcomes, immunosuppression management, and chronic pancreatitis. Her work spans clinical trials, epidemiological studies, and quality improvement initiatives through networks like the Starzl Network for Excellence in Pediatric Transplantation. Key themes include patient-centered outcomes research infrastructure, addressing health disparities in liver disease screening, optimizing pain management, and developing core outcome sets for pancreatitis.

Scientific Awards:

• AGA Emmet B. Keeffe Award in Translational or Clinical Research in Liver Disease (2013-2014)
• UCSF Liver Center Pilot/Feasibility Award (2013-2014)
• UCSF CTSI-SOS Early Career Investigators Pilot Award (2013-2014)
• UCSF Fellow's Leadership and Advocacy Group Faculty Mentor Award (2015)

Dr. Perito actively mentors faculty on research projects, particularly those interested in clinical and epidemiologic research in chronic pediatric liver and pancreatic disease. She has secured significant funding as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator for projects including PARTNER ADVance (Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, 2024-2026), SNEPT and SPLIT implementation of quality of life measures (NIH, 2021-2024), and INSPPIRE: A Longitudinal Cohort Study of Pediatric Chronic Pancreatitis (NIH, 2015-2025).

Dr. Perito leads UCSF's Pediatric Liver Center and co-directs the Pediatric Pancreas Program. She serves as Co-Chair of the Starzl Network for Excellence in Pediatric Transplantation and helps lead national efforts as Chair of UNOS' Pediatric Transplantation Committee (2022-2024) and Chair of the Society for Pediatric Liver Transplant's Advocacy Committee (2020-2023).