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Sidharth Mahapatra, MD, Pediatrics, Omaha, NE

Sidharth Mahapatra MD PhD

Pediatrics•Omaha, NE

Pediatric Critical Care Medicine

Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Biochemistry / Molecular Biology

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  • 8200 Dodge StOmaha, NE 68114

  • Phone+1 402-955-8919

  • Fax+1 402-955-3262

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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

  • Oral Abstract Award at the Annual CHRI Research Symposium Child Health Research Institute, 2025
  • 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

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

Abstracts/Posters

  • Effect of summary sheet teaching on PICU RN education
    Heidbrink K, Mahapatra S, Blick LB., American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference, Denver, CO, 9/2025
  • Transcriptome-based drug repurposing in group 3 medulloblastoma
    Doss D, Perumal N, Kanchan RK, Batra SK, Mahapatra S., 8th Pediatric Society for Neuro-Oncology, San Diego, CA, 5/2025
  • Inhibiting Iron-sulfur Cluster Export Activates Ferroptosis and Potentiates Cisplatin Response in Pediatric Group 3Medulloblastomas
    Kanchan R, Doss D, Burkovetskya M, Batra SK, Mahapatra S., 8th Pediatric Society for Neuro-Oncology, San Diego, CA, 5/2025

Lectures

  • Exploiting Iron Overload to Activate Ferroptosis and Potentiate Cisplatin Response in Pediatric Group 3 Medulloblastomas 
    National PCCTSDP Annual Retreat (K12 Awardee Talk), Deer Valley, UT - 11/2025
  • Pediatric Brain Tumors in Nebraska: Leveraging the Power of Team Science 
    Midwest PICU Collaborative Meeting (virtual) - 9/2025
  • Getting Promoted as a Researcher 
    Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Investigators Meeting, Montreal, Quebec - 9/2025

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

  • Medical Research Highlights, September 2025
    Medical Research Highlights, September 2025September 8th, 2025
  • Medical Research Highlights, June 2025
    Medical Research Highlights, June 2025June 18th, 2025
  • The Challenge of Treating Childhood Brain Cancers
    The Challenge of Treating Childhood Brain CancersAugust 25th, 2023

Grant Support

  • MiR-1253 potentiates cisplatin response in group 3 medulloblastoma by augmenting ferroptosisNational Cancer Institute Loan Repayment Program2022–2044
  • Ferroptosis evasion characterizes tumor aggressiveness in group 3 medulloblastomasNational Cancer Institute Loan Repayment Program2025–2026
  • Artesunate Activates Ferroptosis by Inducing Iron Overload and Potentiates Cisplatin Action in Group 3Edna Ittner Pediatric Research Fund2025–2026
  • Silencing B7-H3 mitigates tumor aggressiveness in group 3 medulloblastomaUNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER2025–2026
  • Developing a Regional Medulloblastoma Core Facility at the University of Nebraska Medical CenterTeam Jack Foundation2022–2025

Research History

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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

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