My research in the laboratory is on pulmonary developmental pathology, with a primary focus on hyperoxia-induced injury and resolution/repair in developing lungs. Using a variety of ante- and/or post-natal animal models of experimental bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury (HALI), we study the mechanisms of molecular mediators and signaling pathways of inflammation, alveolarization and vascularization contribution to the disease phenotypes of HALI and BPD. The ultimate aim of the research laboratory is to be able to translate our work into a better understanding of the pathogenesis of HALI and BPD to allow improved targeting of therapeutic interventions. We have long-standing collaborations with physicians and scientists from various Universities and Pharmaceutical companies. Our long-term goal is to identify drug candidates for HALI and BPD. My other research interests include Neonatal Sepsis, BPD-associated Pulmonary Hypertension and use of “OMICS” (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and microbiomics) approaches relevant to premature neonates.

I am proud to have been named to SJ Magazine's list of "Top Doctors for Children 2021" in Neonatology.

Publications

Das P, Curstedt T, Agarwal B, Prahaladan VM, Ramirez J, Bhandari S, Syed MA, Salomone F, Casiraghi C, Pelizzi N, Bhandari V. Small Molecule Inhibitor Adjuvant Surfactant Therapy Attenuates Ventilator- and Hyperoxia-Induced Lung Injury in Preterm Rabbits. Front Physiol. 2020 Apr 9;11:266. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00266. eCollection 2020.

Gilfillan M, Das P, Shah D, Alam MA, Bhandari V. Inhibition of microRNA-451 is associated with increased expression of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor and mitigation of the cardio-pulmonary phenotype in a murine model of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia. Respir Res. 2020 Apr 22;21(1):92. doi: 10.1186/s12931-020-01353-9.

Alam MA, Betal SGN, Aghai ZH, Bhandari V. Hyperoxia causes miR199a-5p-mediated injury in the developing lung. Pediatr Res. 2019 Nov;86(5):579-588. doi: 10.1038/s41390-019-0524-3. Epub 2019 Aug 8.

For a complete list, please see:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=bhandari%2C+vineet

Bert Bieler, MD, is the outgoing president of the Philadelphia Endocrine Society, and previously served as the society's vice president. His interests include diabetes management, weight loss management, and thyroid disease management, including thyroid nodule biopsies.

Dr. Kelly Bolkus grew up in southern New Jersey and obtained her undergraduate degree from Rutgers Camden as a biology major. After college, she worked as an ED technician for a few years before deciding to pursue a career in medicine. She completed her medical education at UMDNJ-SOM followed by an anesthesia residency at Cooper University Hospital.

Dr. Bolkus serves on the regional and pediatric anesthesia teams. She enjoys teaching medical students, SRNAs, and residents on a daily basis. In her free time she enjoys running, spending time with family, and watching anime.