Divakar S Mithal

Divakar S Mithal, MD, PhD, serves as Assistant Professor in Pediatrics (Neurology and Epilepsy) at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and practices at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. His dual expertise spans clinical neurocritical care for critically ill children and research on brain metabolism disorders, with additional affiliations at the Center for Human Immunobiology, NUCATS, and Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics.

Education

• BS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2001)
• PhD, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (2011)
• MD, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (2013)
• Residency in Pediatrics, Northwestern University (2015)
• Residency in Child Neurology, Northwestern University (2018)
• Fellowship in Pediatrics Neuro-Critical Care, Northwestern University (2019)

Dr. Mithal's laboratory investigates fundamental mechanisms of cellular metabolism in neurological disorders, focusing on four interconnected projects: mitochondrial function in GABAergic interneurons, metabolic biomarkers in mitochondrial disease patients' white blood cells, gene-therapy development for mitochondrial disorders, and drug screening using patient-derived stem cells. His research bridges immunology and neuroscience through chemokine signaling pathways, aiming to develop neuroprotective strategies for conditions like refractory seizures and septic encephalopathy.

Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate a cohesive research trajectory spanning pediatric neurology, metabolic disorders, and critical care. Key themes include neuroimaging analysis in cerebral palsy and stroke, molecular characterization of mitochondrial diseases, and genetic variant validation in neurometabolic conditions. These works consistently integrate clinical observations with laboratory investigations to address therapeutic gaps in pediatric neurological emergencies.

Scientific Awards

• Elterman Research Award, Child Neurology Foundation (2023)

As Medical Advisory Board Chair for MitoWorld and Scientific Advisory Board Member for the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, Dr. Mithal shapes national research priorities while leading neurogenetics clinics at Lurie Children's Hospital. His clinical practice centers on frontline neuroprotection during critical illness decompensation, applying the 'time is brain' principle to minimize neurological injury in high-acuity pediatric ICU settings.