I am a Division Chief of General Pediatrics, which includes pediatric hospital medicine. I work clinically as a hospitalist, and my research is around how to help the parents of hospitalized children quit smoking.

As marijuana is increasingly legalized, I have become very concerned about the impact of secondhand marijuana smoke on children. We still have no data about its effects, but I have demonstrated that children exposed to marijuana smoke have metabolites of marijuana and THC in their urine. It’s a big concern.

I have benefited so much from mentorship and sponsorship, even before I went to medical school. One of my dear mentors was my boss initially, and even though I was only a research coordinator, he let me write an NIH grant, that was funded. My mentors and sponsors have looked out for opportunities for me, talked me up to others, and kept me in the loop. I am delighted to be able to pay this forward!

Brunello di Montalcino