Rachel Leon

Rachel Leon, M.D., Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She joined the faculty in 2019, following medical and graduate training at West Virginia University School of Medicine, residency in pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine, and a neonatal-perinatal medicine fellowship at Riley Hospital for Children. Her research focuses on neuroplacentology, investigating placental connections to fetal and neonatal health, particularly in congenital heart disease and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Education:

• M.D. and Ph.D. from West Virginia University School of Medicine
• Pediatric residency at Indiana University School of Medicine
• Neonatal-perinatal medicine fellowship at Riley Hospital for Children

Research Interests:
Dr. Leon explores placental-fetal interactions in neonatal diseases, including placental vascular malperfusion’s role in congenital heart defects and neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Her work integrates neuroimaging, histopathology, and clinical data to advance precision medicine approaches for high-risk neonates.

Recent Research Trends:
Publications emphasize placental pathology’s impact on cerebral hemodynamics, neonatal encephalopathy, and stroke mechanisms. She investigates therapeutic strategies like hypothermia transport protocols and neuroprotective agents such as bryostatin.

Awards and Professional Activities:
No specific awards listed. Active member of professional associations in neonatology and perinatal medicine.

Advising and Grants:
No listed advisees or grant details. Collaborates on multi-institutional studies through the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium.

Labs/Teams:
Primarily affiliated with UT Southwestern’s Department of Pediatrics and neonatal-perinatal medicine programs.