Associate Professor
Division of Neonatology
Additional Titles
Director, Golden Week Small Baby Program, Regional ICU, UAB
Chair, Fellowship Scholarship Oversight Committee
Education
Medical School
Government Medical College, Nagpur, India
Doctorate
Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics Theme, UAB
Internship
JG Hospital New Delhi, India
Pediatric Residency
University of S. Alabama, Mobile, AL
Neonatology Fellowship
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Chief Fellow, Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine
Interests
Care of ELBW Infants / The Golden Week Small Baby Program: Dr. Lal currently leads the Golden week small baby program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, which utilizes a standardized evidence based guidelines for premature infants born at 28 weeks’ gestation or less. The program includes clinical guidance on respiratory support, thermoregulation, nutrition and fluid management, infection prevention and neurological status. Standardization for non-clinical practices included parent support and satisfaction, as well as staff and team building. Recently, UAB’s Golden Week program was recognized by the Gage Awards for Innovation and Excellence, which honors the outstanding work of members of America’s Essential Hospitals.
Neonatal Resuscitation: Dr. Lal is an ‘Instructor Mentor’ for the American Academy of Pediatrics, Neonatal Resuscitation Program and a ‘Master Trainer’ for the American Academy of Pediatrics Helping Baby Breathe (HBB) and Essential Care of Every Baby (ECEB) Programs.
Microbiome in Neonatal Health and Disease: Dr. Lal is interested in studying the mechanisms by which the microbiome and virome modulates respiratory diseases in neonates and pediatric population such as Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia and Cystic Fibrosis. An airway microbiome is present in neonates, even at birth and is associated with the development of future lung diseases. In addition, his work explores the maternal - fetal acquisition of the microbiome. Dr. Lal is currently funded by the American Heart Association and NIH NHLBI to study the role of microbiome in pediatric lung diseases.
Lung Development, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia and Pulmonary Hypertension: Dr. Lal is interested in studying the mechanisms of lung development and Injury by utilizing translational and basic science experimental designs. His work involves studying the role of pulmonary microRNAs, exosomes, metabolome and neutrophilic inflammation in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia. In addition, Dr. Lal studies the role of Ac-PGP (a neutrophilic chemoattractant and mediator of vascular permeability) in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia and associated Pulmonary Hypertension. Dr. Lal is currently funded by the American Heart Association and NIH NHLBI to study the role of Ac-PGP in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.