National Children's Study —
Orange County, Florida

The National Children's Study is a first-of-its-kind national project to examine the roles of environment and genetics in the health of 100,000 children from conception to age 21.

In fall 2008, Orange County, Fla., was selected to participate in the study through partnerships between local community organizations and the University of Central Florida.

Local Lead Investigator
Thomas T. H. Wan, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Research, College of Health and Public Affairs, and
Professor, Doctoral Program in Public Affairs

Local Co-Investigator
Lynn Crespo, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean, College of Medicine, and
Professor, Department of Medical Education

Community Advisory Group
Maureen Kersmarki, Florida Hospital, Co-Chair
Linda Sutherland, Orange County Healthy Start Coalition, Co-Chair 
Dick Batchelor, Dick Batchelor Management Group
Kevin Sherin, M.D., Orange County Health Department
Larry Jones, Orange County Government
Antonia Novello, M.D., Florida Hospital
Patricia Maddox, Winter Park Health Foundation
Karen Broussard, Orange County Children’s Cabinet
Karen Van Caulil, Health Council of East Central Florida
Joan Nelson, Heart of Florida United Way
Cindi Kopelman, Shepherd’s Hope
Jim Patrick, Children’s Home Society
Vicki Garner, Lakeside Alternatives
Dick Jacobs, Center for Drug Free Living
Marie Jose Francois, M.D., Center for Multi-Cultural Awareness
Karen Willis, Early Learning Coalition
Bakari Burns, Health Care Center for the Homeless
Fonda McGowan, Orange County Health Department
Yolanda Martinez, Ed.D., Ph.D., Orange County Health Department
Sandra Frasier, Orange County Health Department
Margaret Brennan, Orange County Medical Clinics
Steven A. Hale, M.D., Orange County Health Department
Jay Hughes, M.D., Retired
Ashley Hill, M.D., Florida Hospital Orlando

Scientific Advisory Group
Kevin Sherin, M.D., Orange County Health Department, Chair
Joan Meek, M.D., Arnold Palmer Hospital
David A. Auerbach, Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies
S. J. Carlan, M.D., Orlando Health
Sam Marathe, M.D., J.D., Ph.D., Medical Specialists
Tracy L. Dietz, Ph.D., UCF IRB
Chad Nye, Ph.D., UCF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities
Martine Vanryckeghem, Ph.D., UCF Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Karl X. Chai, Ph.D., UCF College of Medicine
Pam D. Ark, Ph.D., RN, UCF College of Nursing
Ana Leon, Ph.D., UCF School of Social Work
Matthew McIntype, Ph.D., UCF Department of Anthropology
Leslie Liberman, Ph.D., UCF Women’s Center    
Maria Cannarozzi, M.D., UCF College of Medicine
Lori Boardman, M.D., UCF College of Medicine

Study Team
Steve Lipshultz, M.D., University of Miami                      
Tracie Miller, M.D., University of Miami
Emmalee Banstra, M.D., University of Miami
Thomas T. H. Wan, Ph.D., University of Central Florida
Lynn Crespo, Ph.D., University of Central Florida
Nancy Ellis, Ph.D., University of Central Florida
Chiung-Ya Tang, Ph.D., University of Central Florida
Kathleen O’Rourke, Ph.D., University of South Florida
Lewis Rubin, M.D., University of South Florida
Wendy Nembhard, Ph.D., University of South Florida
Julie Baldwin, Ph.D., University of South Florida
David Keefe, M.D., University of South Florida
Ruben Quintero, M.D., University of South Florida         
Karen Bruder, M.D., University of South Florida
Jennifer Takagishi, M.D., University of South Florida
Linda Detman, Ph.D., University of South Florida
Dee Jeffers, RN, M.P.H., University of South Florida
Natalie Freeman, Ph.D., University of Florida
Nancy Szabo, Ph.D, University of Florida
Nancy Wilson, Ph.D., Battelle