Pediatric Gastroenterology Research | Pediatrics

Dr. Daniel Mulder is a pediatric gastroenterologist who studies the effects of the immune system on the gastrointestinal tract. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a life-long chronic disease that has profound impacts on the gastrointestinal tract. IBD is becoming a major health issue and is projected to affect 1 in 100 Canadians by 2030.

IBD is believed to be caused by dysregulation of the immune system through a variety of disrupted processes. These processes and their connection to disease characteristics are complex and poorly understood. Dr. Mulder’s research program aims to use laboratory-based immunophenotyping techniques to create molecular “fingerprints” of individual IBD patients. This “fingerprint” will allow for a personalized approach to treatment, directly targeting the aberrant pathways. Ultimately, through redefining IBD classification by the underlying molecular processes, Dr. Mulder hopes to improve IBD treatment success rates and improve patient outcomes.

Some of his other projects include the following:

Understanding suididality development in adolescents with IBD in their own words
Ascertaining population-based long-term outcomes in IBD patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis
Systematic review of monogenic IBD pathology
Examining whether individuals with immune-mediated gastrointestinal disease (IBD, celiac) are at increased risk of eating disorders (co-investigator)
Using machine learning to study genetic variants in congenital diarrhea (site investigator)
Improving timely diagnosis and in-community management of patients with rare medical conditions who live in rural to small urban communities

Dr. Mulder's work is currently supported by a research initiation grant from the Kingston Health Sciences Centre, the Pediatric Research at Queen's (PRAQ) Fund, and the Southeastern Ontario Academic Medical Organization (SEAMO) Innovation Fund.