About the Emerging to Established (E2E) Section
The Society for Pediatric Research Emerging to Established (E2E) Section (formerly the Junior Section) introduces residents, fellows and early career faculty members to SPR by providing a variety of resources and educational opportunities. The goal is to promote networking within pediatrics and continue the development of scientists, as well as to foster transition to a career in pediatric science and eligibility for SPR Active Member status.
E2E Membership is open to individuals who are currently enrolled in or not more than six years graduated from established residency, fellowship or postdoctoral program related to pediatrics in an academic institution. The information below will be requested when submitting an application/nomination:
- Applicant’s personal and professional contact information.
- Applicant’s residency, fellowship or postdoctoral completion date or anticipated completion date.
- Applicant’s Program Director (Residents/Fellows) or Department Chair’s (Junior Faculty) contact information.
Benefits of SPR Emerging to Established (E2E) Section
- Aids fellows in transition from fellowship to faculty through a variety of programs including:
- SPR Grant Writing 101 Program provides intensive, hands-on support for early career stage investigators.
- SPR Bridging to Success Award grant provides critical financial support as researchers transition to independent researcher status.
- SPR PRomotion of FellOwS‘ PEdiatric Research (PROSPER) Diversity Award provides material support and mentoring for a one-year pediatric research project that will facilitate an academic research-focused career trajectory for fellows from under-represented minority background(s).
- Supports transition to SPR Active Member status.
- Professional networking key to achieving independent researcher status.
- Opportunities for participation in regional/national SPR programs.
- Recognition through an extensive awards program and travel grants.
- Opportunities to advocate for child health research funding.
- Dues-free professional society membership.
SPR Helps Trainees Build a Successful Academic Career. Here’s How
Become an E2E Leadership Committee Member
The SPR Emerging to Established (E2E) Leadership Committee is seeking passionate E2E members for open committee spots. If you’re interested in advancing your leadership skills, building community, and strengthening opportunities for early-career scientists, this is your time to get involved.
As an E2E Leadership Committee Member you’ll help:
- Promote networking and mentorship within pediatrics
- Plan E2E Section webinars and activities at the PAS Meeting
- Support the Pediatric Research peer-mentorship review program
- Connect with residents, fellows, and early-career faculty
Eligibility: Candidates must be a current E2E Member and in the second year of residency, any year of clinical fellowship, or post-doctoral training.
Term: 2-years (September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2027)
Time Commitment: Monthly Zoom meetings
Submission Deadline: August 8, 2025, 11:59 pm CT
Chair
Kelly Orgel, MD, PhD
Dr. Kelly Orgel is a physician-scientist in the Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research interests include understanding the immunologic changes that occur during the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening intestinal disease that predominately affects neonates born prematurely. Dr. Orgel feels very fortunate to have had outstanding clinical, research, and life mentors throughout her medical and research training and is passionate about increasing the mentorship for pediatric physician-scientists on a national level. Dr. Orgel has served as a leader in the UNC Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) by participating in the admissions committee and helping to create a leadership development program.
On a personal level, Dr. Orgel is the mother to two amazing children, Aiden and Emma; and as a result, she feels strongly about increasing the support and mentorship for female physician-scientists early in their careers. One of Dr. Orgel’s missions as the E2E Chair is to spread involvement in E2E to the many sub-specialties in pediatrics and grow participation in the program nationally.
Past Chair
Lillian Juttukonda, MD, PhD
Dr. Lillian Juttukonda is a physician-scientist in the Harvard Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship. Her interest is understanding how maternal health in pregnancy shapes the neonatal immune system and predisposes to chronic health conditions during childhood. She is passionate about mentoring, and has had the opportunity to provide research mentorship to undergraduate and medical students, including international students and students from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine. As an MD/PhD student, she served as a leader in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) as a member of the Admissions Committee, organizer of the biannual Leadership Workshop, and chair of the weekly MSTP Seminar Series. She is passionate about scientific mentoring, changing medicine through discovery, and experiencing joy in both work and life.