An international leader and world-renowned expert in pediatric hepatology, Dr. Kamath has a special focus on cholestatic and inherited liver disorders in children. She has lectured extensively about topics including Alagille syndrome, biliary atresia, primary sclerosing cholangitis and other rare liver diseases, as well as treatments for liver diseases including liver transplantation.

Dr. Kamath’s primary interest is Alagille syndrome, an inherited liver disorder that affects the body’s ability to properly process bile and can cause distinctive facial features and problems that affect the heart, eyes, bones, kidney, vasculature and other organs. Her research seeks to understand the phenotypic manifestations of Alagille syndrome, genotype-phenotype relationships, and natural history of this condition.

In 2018, Dr. Kamath established the Global Alagille Alliance (GALA) study, a global international research database of Alagille syndrome patients. This database now houses information on more than 1,700 patients with Alagille syndrome from 90 centers in 35 countries – the largest dataset for this condition.

She also runs a basic science laboratory (still based at SickKids) focused on differentiating bile duct cells (cholangiocytes) from stem cells as a model to understand the molecular basis for liver diseases. An additional area of research Dr. Kamath has focused on involves the study of frailty and sarcopenia (muscle wasting) in children with liver disease.

Dr. Kamath has published more than 130 peer-reviewed articles and more than 50 editorials, reviews, chapters and media presentations. She currently serves as associate editor of Hepatology, a prominent North American liver journal.

MBBChir, Cambridge University, School of Clinical Medicine, United Kingdom

MTR (Translational Research), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

Chief, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

Attending Physician

Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Canadian Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, 2014-

Alagille Alliance (International Parent Advocacy Group for Alagille Syndrome), 2011-

• Medical Advisory Board

Childhood Liver Disease Research and Education Network (ChiLDREN), 2011-

• Vice Chair, Executive Committee, 2019-
• 2Genomics Working Group, 2018-
• Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Protocol Development Committee, 2018-
• Data Committee, 2015-
• Shire/Mirum Global Clinical Trials Working Group, 2013-
• Chair, Alagille Syndrome Working Group, 2011-
• Publications and Presentations Committee, 2011-

North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, 2001-

American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, 2001-

• Fellow, 2013

Royal College of Pediatricians and Child Health, UK, 1998-

General Medical Council, UK, 1996-

Janet Rossant Research Innovation Prize, 2020

Alagille Syndrome Champion Award, Alagille Syndrome Alliance, 2019

Teaching and Mentorship Award, Division of GI, Hepatology and Nutrition, Hospital for Sick Children, 2012, 2018

Subspecialty Teaching Award, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, 2012

First Prize, Oral Abstract Presentation, Alex Mowat Meeting in Paediatrics Hepatology, King's College Hospital, 2008

Faculty Honor Roll, Residency program, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 2008

Fellowship Award, Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, 2006-2009

Travel Award, SPLIT Annual Meeting, 2005

Travel Award, AASLD Pediatric Single Topic Conference, 2004

Second Prize, Komarov Competition (Tri-State area research competition for adult and pediatric gastroenterology fellows), 2004

Fellow Research Award, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, 2003