Director: Akif Undar, PhD

For over 21 years, the Pediatric Cardiovascular Research Center at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital and College of Medicine has brought together a compassionate multidisciplinary team devoted to improving the lives of children facing congenital heart disease. Our focus is on enhancing outcomes for these brave young patients undergoing complex cardiac surgeries, particularly those that involve cardiopulmonary bypass procedures and mechanical circulatory support systems.

Here, we believe in the power of collaboration. Our research center is a home for a diverse group of experts who unite from various academic departments and disciplines, integrating basic science, biomedical engineering, and clinical applications. Together, we share a heartfelt mission: to advance pediatric cardiovascular research for the well-being of our children. Our dedicated team includes professionals from Pediatrics, Surgery, Biomedical Engineering, Comparative Medicine, Public Health Sciences, and Molecular and Precision Medicine.

At the core of our work is a deep commitment to developing innovative technologies and methodologies aimed at minimizing the challenges that congenital heart surgeries can pose, particularly concerning extracorporeal circulation in our tiniest patients—neonates, infants, and children. Our focus is on alleviating the potential morbidities related to cerebral, myocardial, pulmonary, and renal injury, ensuring that every child has the best chance for a healthier future.

Our aspirations extend far beyond our current efforts. We envision establishing the Penn State Pediatric Cardiovascular Research Center as a beacon of hope, recognized globally for pioneering novel treatments and state-of-the-art devices to improve cardiovascular health in pediatric populations, both here at Penn State Health Children's Hospital and at leading heart centers around the world. We are also committed to nurturing the next generation of medical students, biomedical engineers, residents, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty members in the vital field of pediatric cardiovascular research.

Moreover, we strive to preserve the International Conference on Pediatric Mechanical Circulatory Support Systems and Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Perfusion as the premier global gathering for sharing knowledge, addressing current challenges, and proposing compassionate, viable solutions for mechanical circulatory support systems in pediatric patients. Through our efforts, we hope to build a future where every child can thrive.