UH Research Leader Samudragupta Bora Appointed to Society for Pediatric Research Council

CLEVELAND, Ohio – University Hospitals proudly announces the appointment of Samudragupta Bora, PhD, to the leadership Council of the Society for Pediatric Research® (SPR), a leading international organization dedicated to advancing research that improves the health and well-being of infants, children and adolescents. With members across the United States, Canada and 36 other countries, SPR is a global leader in fostering pediatric research and scientific collaboration. Dr. Bora will serve as Chair of SPR’s Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) Committee for a three-year term from 2026 to 2029.

Dr. Bora is Associate Professor of Pediatrics at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He also serves as Founding Director of the UH Health Services Research Center.

An accomplished scientist, Dr. Bora is internationally recognized for his work to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes among high-risk infants, particularly those born preterm, through comprehensive characterization of long-term outcomes and examination of the neurological and social factors that shape development. His work also focuses on developing and implementing scalable models of neurodevelopmental follow-up, particularly in resource-limited settings. As Founding Director, Dr. Bora oversees health services research across the institution, leading efforts to translate scientific evidence into innovations that enhance healthcare delivery, quality and patient outcomes.

"Dr. Bora has built an international reputation for conducting research that directly improves the lives of children and families,” says Daniel I. Simon, MD, President, Academic & External Affairs and Chief Scientific Officer, Ernie and Patti Novak Distinguished Chair in Health Care Leadership, UH and Professor of Medicine and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. “He exemplifies the kind of scientific leadership we strive to foster at UH: health services research and health implementation science that are rigorous, collaborative and focused on translating discovery into meaningful improvements in health outcomes. We are proud to see his leadership recognized on an international stage.

For Dr. Bora, the appointment provides an opportunity to bring the perspectives gained through his research and leadership at UH to the international pediatric research community.

“I am honored to serve on the SPR Council and to chair the JEDI Committee,” says Dr. Bora. “SPR has played an important role in my professional development, and I am grateful for the opportunity to help shape the Society’s future. I look forward to working with colleagues across disciplines, institutions and countries to advance pediatric research, support the next generation of child health researchers and ensure that scientific discoveries ultimately improve the lives of children and families everywhere.”

Dr. Bora’s appointment comes as SPR implements a new leadership structure designed to bring committee expertise more directly into Council discussions and society-wide initiatives. The structure brings together members of SPR’s Executive Council and the chairs of committees representing key areas of the Society’s work and member engagement. As JEDI Committee Chair, Dr. Bora joins the chairs of the Advocacy, Membership, Organizational Partnerships and Pediatric Scientist Development committees, helping ensure the JEDI Committee’s perspective and expertise help inform broader SPR leadership discussions and initiatives.