New Faculty: KCH

Jacob Allen
Assistant Professor

Dr. Allen joined AHS from the Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, where he was a postdoctoral scientist. He earned his PhD in exercise immunology and microbial ecology in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health at Illinois. His bachelor’s and master’s degrees in exercise physiology are from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Allen’s research focuses on environmental interventions and conditions, specifically exercise, psychological stress, and diet, that influence gut microbial communities and metabolite production during both homeostatic and pathological disease states. His goal is to provide a new perspective on how environmental conditions interact to modify the gut microbiota, and to leverage this knowledge to improve human health. He currently is the principal investigator on a study of stress and gut tryptophan metabolism under a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. He received the JB Russell Young Scientist Award for Best Oral Presentation at the 2019 Congress on Gastrointestinal Function.

Dr. Allen believes the University of Illinois is an ideal institution for pursuing his research as there is an equal emphasis on basic studies and applied health. “For microbiome research, the next frontier is integrating these two components into a cohesive framework for understanding how gut microbiota interacts with humans,” he said. “I’m excited to begin work with the brilliant and diverse group of scientists at the U of I.”

Xiaotian Gao
Assistant Professor

Dr. Gao recently completed his PhD in biostatistics at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was a graduate research assistant in the Department of Medicine’s Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. He also served research assistantships in the Patient-Centered Outcome Research Institute and the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute. Dr. Gao completed his MS in biostatistics at the University of Pittsburgh. His undergraduate degree in biotechnology is from Dalian Medical University in China.

In his current research, Dr. Gao is engaged in robust nonparametric regression and joint models of longitudinal and survival data, with the goal of developing useful statistical tools to analyze complex longitudinal and survival data and identifying key biomarkers or genes related to human health. His work has been published in such peer-reviewed journals as Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Critical Care Medicine, and Transplantation Direct. He was the inaugural recipient of the Lingzi Lu Memorial Award, given by the American Statistical Association in partnership with the International Chinese Statistical Association and received the 2015 Outstanding Graduate Student Award from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.

“Besides the academic reputation of the department, I was attracted to the position because of its unique interdisciplinary and collaborative environment,” Dr. Gao said. “I also value the opportunity to contribute my expertise to our established and fledgling programs in public health.”

Sarah Geiger
Assistant Professor

Dr. Geiger’s PhD in public health sciences with a focus on epidemiology and biostatistics is from West Virginia University. She joined KCH from Northern Illinois University’s School of Health Studies, where she was an associate professor of public health. She also has been an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Comparative Biosciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign since 2017. She completed her master’s degree in community health at Illinois and her bachelor’s degree at Northern Illinois University.

As an environmental and chronic disease epidemiologist, Dr. Geiger investigates environmental pollutants and chronic disease risk factors, including sleep problems, asthma, obesity, and other cardiovascular disease risk factors among children. She also conducts research on the impact of environmental pollutant exposure from private domestic well water on children’s health. She currently is the principal investigator on studies of asthma control and the use of smartphone reporting tools funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the NIH ECHO Opportunities and Infrastructure Fund, and is a co-investigator on studies funded by the HUD 2019 Healthy Homes Technical Study Grant Program and NIH ECHO Program.

Dr. Geiger says many things motivated her to join AHS. “At the top of the list are the top-notch research, dedication to students, and the very warm reception I’ve received throughout the hiring process and the beginning of my appointment,” she said.

Sheena Martenies
Assistant Professor

Dr. Martenies has joined KCH after completing a postdoctoral fellowship in environmental epidemiology at Colorado State University. She completed her PhD in environmental health sciences in the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Her Master of Public Health degree is from George Washington University’s School of Public Health and Health Services, where she was a research associate in the Perry Lab, and her undergraduate degree in chemistry is from San Diego State University.

Through her research, Dr. Martenies seeks to identify the environmental determinants of childhood health outcomes such as asthma and obesity. She believes there are many steps that could be taken at the local, state, and national levels to ensure that all children grow up in healthy environments. Her long-term goal is to answer research questions that lead to successful public health interventions to improve children’s health. Her peer-reviewed publications have appeared in GeoHealth, Environmental Epidemiology, and Environmental Science and Technology, among other journals.

In transitioning to a tenure-track position, Dr. Martenies looked for a department that was collaborative and multidisciplinary and had a strong focus on students. “I found all of that here in KCH,” she said. “I’m excited to be able to contribute to the research and teaching missions of the department.”

Minakshi Raj
Assistant Professor

Dr. Raj recently completed her PhD in health management and policy and her Master of Public Health degree in the University of Michigan School of Public Health. She conducted research on healthcare quality as a fellow in the Department of Learning Health Sciences. Her bachelor’s degree in psychology is from Syracuse University.

Dr. Raj’s goal is to inform practice and policies that encourage family-centered care by integrating family caregivers of older adults and patients with cancer into health care teams through the use of technology. Some of her research investigates how patients and their family caregivers experience and sustain trust in the health care system and the implications of health information technology on trust. She currently is a co-investigator on a study funded by the National Institute on Aging’s Inter-NIA Center Pilot Proposal on Behavioral Change to Benefit Older Adults. Her research has been published in Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Bone Marrow Transplantation. She received a 2019 American Geriatrics Society Scientist-in-Training Award.

“I was drawn to the multidisciplinary research in the department,” said Dr. Raj, “the supportive culture of the KCH community, and the collaborative and innovative spirit across campus.”