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Sidharth Mahapatra, MD, Pediatrics, Omaha, NE

SidharthMahapatraMDPhD

Pediatrics • Omaha, NE

Pediatric Critical Care Medicine

Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Biochemistry / Molecular Biology

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  • Office

    8200 Dodge St
    Omaha, NE 68114
    Phone+1 402-955-8919
    Fax+1 402-955-3262

Summary

  • As a pediatric intensivist with expertise in neurocritical care working in an area with a particularly high incidence of pediatric brain tumors (NE is 7th in the country), I am concentrating my strengths in molecular neurobiology and translational science to investigate pediatric medulloblastomas (MB), the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood. Divided into 4 subgroups, patients falling into subgroup 3 (G3MB) suffer the worst prognoses with high rates of metastases at diagnosis and high relapse rates.
    In my early-stage career, I delved into the significance of tumor suppressor genes on chromosome 17p, a locus most frequently implicated in sustaining mutations in G3MBs, to understand group 3’s elusive pathophysiology. My lab identified several tumor-suppressive micro RNAs (miR-212: Acta Neuropathologica Communications 2021; miR-1253: Brain Pathology 2020), their oncogenic targets (ABCB7: BioRxiv 2024; CDK6: Brain Pathology 2020; CD276: BBA Reviews on Cancer 2022; NFIB: Acta Neuropathologica Communications. 2021), and deregulated pathways (iron homeostasis, stemness) that may confer an aggressive phenotype to group 3 tumors.
    Now, I am translating these insights by testing the promise of targeting the identified deregulated, oncogenic pathways with new lead compounds (B7-H3-Ni1) or repurposing FDA-approved medications (artesunate, nortriptyline). My longterm hope is to transform the treatment landscape for this devastating disease, offering a chance for improved survival and quality of life for affected children and their families.

Education & Training

  • Stanford Health Care-Sponsored Stanford University
    Stanford Health Care-Sponsored Stanford UniversityFellowship, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, 2012 - 2015
  • Stanford Health Care-Sponsored Stanford University
    Stanford Health Care-Sponsored Stanford UniversityResidency, Pediatrics, 2009 - 2012
  • Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
    Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and ScienceClass of 2009, MD, Alpha Omega Alpha
  • School of Graduate and Post-doctoral Studies at Rosalind Franklin University
    School of Graduate and Post-doctoral Studies at Rosalind Franklin UniversityPhD, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, 2003 - 2007
  • Knox College
    Knox CollegeBachelor's, Molecular Biology, Magnum Cum Laude, 1997 - 2001

Certifications & Licensure

  • NE State Medical License
    NE State Medical License 2015 - 2026
  • CA State Medical License
    CA State Medical License 2010 - 2016
  • Pediatrics
    American Board of Pediatrics Pediatrics
  • Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
    American Board of Pediatrics Pediatric Critical Care Medicine

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

  • UNeMed New Invention Contributor: Identification of Artesunate as a Potential Anti-Cancer Agent for Group 3 Medulloblastoma UNeMed, 2024
  • Oral Abstract Award at the Midwest Clinical and Translational Research Meeting Central Society for Clinical and Translataional Research, 2024
  • Helping Hands Award for Patient Care Excellence Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, Omaha, 2024
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Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Books/Book Chapters

  • Gene Regulation & Therapeutics 
    Chapter: Targeting subgroup-specific cancer epitopes for effective treatment of pediatric medulloblastoma. 
    Mahapatra S, Perumal NKEditors: Palanimuthu.Science Publishers/CRC PressEdition 1,
  • StatPearls 
    Chapter: Cancer, Medulloblastoma 
    Mahapatra S, Amsbaugh MEditors: Amsbaugh M.StatPearls Publishing , Treasure Island2017
  • StatPearls 
    Chapter: Cancer, Neuroblastoma 
    Mahapatra S, Challagundla K.Editors: Challagundla K.StatPearls Publishing , Treasure Island2017
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Abstracts/Posters

  • Inhibiting iron-sulfur cluster export activates ferroptosis and potentiates cisplatin response in pediatric group 3 medulloblastomas.
    Kanchan R, Doss D, Khan P, Nasser MW, Batra SK, Mahapatra S., Children’s Brain Tumor Network Scientific Summit, Arlington, VA, 10/2024
  • Inhibiting iron-sulfur cluster export activates ferroptosis and potentiates cisplatin response in pediatric group 3 medulloblastomas.
    Kanchan R, Doss D, Khan P, Nasser MW, Batra SK, Mahapatra S., 2024 American Academy of Cancer Research Special Conference: Advances in Pediatric Cancer Research, Toronto, ON, 9/2024
  • Inhibiting the iron-sulfur cluster transporter ABCB7 can potentiate cisplatin response in pediatric group 3 medulloblastomas by triggering ferroptosis.
    Kanchan R, Doss D, Khan P, Nasser MW, Batra SK, Mahapatra S., 21st International Symposium on Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, Philadelphia, PA, 7/2024
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Lectures

  • Triggering Ferroptosis by Targeting ABCB7 Can Potentiate Cisplatin Action in Pediatric Group 3 Medulloblastomas 
    Midwest Clinical and Translational Research Meeting (Oral Abstract Award Winner), Chicago, IL - 4/2024
  • From Barley to Brains: Lessons Learned on my Path Towards Independence 
    Midwest Clinical and Translational Research Meeting, Chicago, IL - 4/2024
  • Inducing Iron Overload and Ferroptosis as Novel Treatment Strategies for Pediatric Medulloblastomas 
    Olson Lab Meeting, University of Washington (virtual) - 3/2024
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Other

  • Well Child Checklist 
    Mahapatra, S, AgileMD
    http://www.agilemd.com
    4/18/2014
  • Health care: A right that must be shared by all 
    Mahapatra, S., Maharaj, S., Pharos
    The Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University - 12/1/2008
  • Identification of critical residues within the conserved and specificity patches of nerve growth factor leading to survival of differentiation 
    Mahapatra, S, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses., Doctoral Dissertation
    North Chicago, IL - 7/1/2007

Press Mentions

  • The Challenge of Treating Childhood Brain Cancers
    The Challenge of Treating Childhood Brain CancersAugust 25th, 2023

Grant Support

  • Silencing B7-H3 Mitigates Tumor Aggressiveness in Group 3 MedulloblastomaNIH/National Cancer Institute2025–2026
  • Deep Investigation of Gene Silencing on 17p13.3 Identifies Targetable Vulnerabilities Informing Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Pediatric MedulloblastomasTeam Jack Foundation2023–2026
  • Developing a Regional Medulloblastoma Core Facility at the University of Nebraska Medical CenterTeam Jack Foundation2022–2025
  • Using Connectivity Mapping to Identify Anti-Neoplastic Agents for High-risk MedulloblastomaTeam Jack Foundation2021–2025
  • Elucidating mitochondrial iron transporter-mediated ferroptosis in group 3 medulloblastomaBuffet Cancer Center2023–2024
  • Targeting B7-H3 (CD276) mitigates tumor aggressiveness in group 3 medulloblastomaEdna Ittner Foundation2022–2023
  • MiR-1253 potentiates cisplatin response in group 3 medulloblastoma through ferroptosisNIH/National Institute of Child and Health Development2021–2022
  • Chemosensitization of non-SHH/WNT medulloblastoma is regulated by miR-1253Team Jack Brain Tumor Foundation2020–2022
  • NFIB’s Role in Medulloblastoma Stem Cell RenewalNebraska Department of Health & Human Services2020–2021
  • Elucidating the oncogenic role of NFIB in group 3 MBNebraska Department of Health & Human Services2020–2021
  • Exploring the oncogenic properties of NFIB in group 3 MBAmerican Cancer Society/Buffet Cancer Center2020–2021
  • Chemosensitization of group 3 MB is regulated by miR-1253Edna Ittner Foundation # 010287802019–2020
  • Identification of tumor suppressor genes on chromosome 17p13.3 in non-SHH/WNT MBPediatric Cancer Research Center2017–2020
  • Exploration of Anti-tumorigenic Effects of Chol-miR-1253 Polyplexes in MedulloblastomaNIH/NIGMS2018–2019
  • Elucidation of miR-1253 as a putative tumor suppressor gene in non-SHH/WNT MBFrank & Pamela Buffet Cancer Center2018–2019
  • Identification of Tumor Suppressor Genes on Chromosome 17p13.3 for the Generation of a non-SHH/WNT Subgroup Murine Model of MedulloblastomaCheryl Lozier Pediatric Grant2017–2018
  • Elucidation of miR-1253 as a putative tumor suppressor gene in non-SHH/WNT MBEdna Ittner Foundation # 010287802017–2018

Research History

  • Site DirectorPROSpect: PRone and OScillation PEdiatric Clinical Trial is a multi-center randomized clinical trial examining if prone vs. supine and oscillator vs. CMV are superior modes of managing severe PARDS.2019 - 2025
  • Primary investigatorOver 60% of patients with medulloblastoma harbor mutations on chromosome 17p13.3. We are currently exploring the properties of tumor suppressor genes on this locus with the intent of elucidating molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and generating targeted small molecular inhibitors.2015 - Present
  • Co-investigatorIn medulloblastoma, miR-1253 is significantly downregulated. In this proposal, by complexing with PLL(30)-PEG(5K), we hope to increase the ​potency of cholesterol-modified miR-1253 against medulloblastoma after i.v. administration.2018 - 2019
  • Site DirectorPediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Incidence and Epidemiology (PARDIE) Study: The major goal of this multi-center point prevalence study was to understand the implications of the new PALICC definitions of Pediatric ARDS (PARDS) on the incidence and epidemiology of PARDS.2016 - 2017
  • Junior Investigator (Fellowship)In this study of amyloid-forming proteins, we found that the amyloidogenic hexapeptide, amylin, improved illness severity, reduced mortality, attenuated the cytokine cascade, and preserved lung barrier function in a murine mouse model via a sustained increase in IL-10 levels.2013 - 2015
  • Junior Investigator (Ph.D.)Through this study, we generated an NGF mutant protein (SS-1) capable of discriminatory intracellular signaling effectively abrogating neuritogenesis. We, thus, generated a pro-survival agent capable of rescuing cell death in Alzheimer’s disease.2003 - 2009
  • Junior Investigator (Undergraduate Honors)In a 3-hr time-course study of heat-shock, we discovered that mRNAs encoding secretory proteins are selectively destabilized and degraded within the first 30 mins on the endoplasmic reticulum; the release of signal recognition particles (SRPs) from the ER is also inhibited.1998 - 2001

Professional Memberships

Other Languages

  • Hindi, French

External Links

  • UNMC Profilehttps://www.unmc.edu/pediatrics/divisions/critical-care/faculty/mahapatra.html
  • PubMed Bibliographyhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1-U2a9HLZTFA4/bibliography/public/
  • LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sidharth-mahapatra-39636713

Dr. Sidharth Mahapatra, Dr. Sidharth Mahapatra, MD, Dr. S Mahapatra