Madhusmita Misra to Lead Pediatrics at WashU
Madhusmita Misra, an accomplished pediatric endocrinologist and physician-scientist, has been selected to lead the Edward Mallinckrodt Department of Pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. Starting January 4, 2027, she will also become pediatrician-in-chief at BJC HealthCare’s St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Misra will join Washington University from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, where she serves as the Benjamin Armistead Shepherd Chair of Pediatrics and oversees pediatric services at UVA Health Children’s Hospital. Her appointment brings decades of experience in patient care, scientific research, academic leadership and physician training to the institution.
Her scientific work examines how hormonal fluctuations and nutritional deficiencies affect bone health, metabolism and brain function among children, adolescents and young adults. One of her major research areas involves bone loss associated with anorexia nervosa and exercise-induced amenorrhea, a condition in which menstruation stops when intense physical activity is combined with insufficient nutritional intake.
Since 2000, Misra’s research has received sustained financial support from the National Institutes of Health and other funding organizations. Her findings have contributed to a better understanding of reduced bone density among young women experiencing prolonged energy deficiencies and have helped inform approaches to treatment and care.
Earlier in her career, Misra worked at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she helped expand regional clinical services, improve pediatric diabetes care and establish specialist teams for children with rare genetic disorders. At the University of Virginia, she also focused on strengthening medical education by expanding residency and fellowship opportunities and building mentorship programmes for developing researchers and physicians.
Mentorship has remained a significant part of her professional career. She has guided more than 70 students, residents and fellows and received recognition for her contributions to clinical research, scientific advancement and professional development.
Misra earned her medical degree from S.C.B. Medical College at Utkal University in India before completing a Master of Public Health degree at Harvard University. She subsequently undertook pediatric residency training in Brooklyn, New York, followed by a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology at Massachusetts General Hospital.
At Washington University, Misra will succeed Mark Lowe, who has served as interim department chair since April 2026. In her new position, she aims to advance medical research, strengthen pediatric healthcare and ensure children and their families remain central to clinical practice and institutional priorities.
