Dr. Spergel's research encompasses the bench-to-bedside aspect of all types of food allergy, including anaphylaxis, food protein-induced enterocolitis, and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Dr. Spergel and his colleagues have looked at genetic risk factors for EoE and IgE-mediated food allergy and identified the critical role for TSLP in the disease in mouse and human studies. The team has also examined the interplay of T cells and epithelial cells in EoE, focusing on fibrosis and activations of food-specific T cells. They have found that food-specific Th2 cells exist and can be detected in the peripheral blood of patients with active EoE.

Dr. Spergel has also been active in IgE-mediated food allergies, investigating the rate of allergic reactions and the risk factors for identifying individuals at risk for severe life-threatening reactions. He and his team have been using the latest molecular techniques including metabolomics, RNAseq, and transcriptomes assays to identify risk factors, and they also are using large electronic medical records to identify demographic or clinical features that identify this high-risk population.

Dr. Spergel is active in and has led multicenter clinical trials for food allergy, EoE, or atopic dermatitis sponsored by NIH, PCORI, industry, foundations, and academic partners. Here are some examples Dr. Spergel's notable accomplishments:

• Identified that foods cause eosinophilic esophagitis
• Identified four genetic risk factors for eosinophilic esophagitis
• Identified the role of T cells in eosinophilic esophagitis
• Found that peanut allergy can be outgrown

AB, Princeton University (Chemistry)

PhD, City University of New York (Biomedical Sciences), 1992

MD, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine

Fellowship, Boston Children's Hospital (Allergy/Immunology), 1998

Chief, Allergy Section

Co-Leader, Food Allergy Center Frontier Program

Stuart E. Starr Chair of Pediatrics

Attending Physician

Professor of Pediatrics

American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, 2003-

Society for Pediatric Research, 2004-

American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, 2005-

American Academy of Pediatrics, 2005-

Ethel Brown Foerderer Award of Excellence, 2000

Pennsylvania Allergy and Asthma Research Award, 2000