Dr. Nathan Kuppermann honored by AAAS for leadership in pediatric research - Children's National

Nathan Kuppermann, MD, MPH, executive vice president, chief academic officer and chair of Pediatrics at Children's National Hospital, and director of the Children's National Research Institute has been elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), one of the world's largest and most prestigious scientific societies. Election as an AAAS Fellow is among the highest honors in science, recognizing individuals whose contributions have advanced research, innovation and its application for the benefit of society.

Dr. Kuppermann was recognized for his leadership in pediatric emergency care and for research that has helped shape how clinicians diagnose, treat and prevent life-threatening illness and injury in children. His work spans infectious diseases, trauma and neurologic complications of diabetic ketoacidosis, as well as the development of large, multi-center research networks that have transformed how pediatric studies are conducted in the United States and around the world.

"Advancing pediatric research has always been a team effort," said Dr. Kuppermann. "This honor reflects the extraordinary colleagues, collaborators and trainees I've had the privilege to work with, and the shared commitment we have to improving care for children around the world through rigorous science."

Founded in 1848, AAAS elects Fellows each year whose work is considered scientifically or socially distinguished. The tradition dates back to 1874, and Fellows include some of the most influential researchers, physicians and innovators across disciplines.

At Children's National, Dr. Kuppermann leads the academic enterprise spanning clinical care, research and education. His career has focused on building the infrastructure needed to answer complex pediatric questions through collaboration, including national and international research networks that allow investigators to study rare conditions, test new treatments and generate evidence that directly informs clinical practice.

His election as an AAAS Fellow reflects not only his individual contributions, but also the growing impact of pediatric research conducted at Children's National and across its academic and innovation ecosystem.

As pediatric medicine becomes increasingly data-driven and collaborative, leaders like Kuppermann are helping define how research moves from discovery to real-world impact, ensuring that children benefit from the same level of scientific progress seen in adult medicine, while addressing the unique challenges of studying specialized pediatric populations.