Endowed Chair: Immunogenetics Program led by Natalia Chaimowitz, M.D., Ph.D.

Endowed Chair Natalia Chaimowitz, M.D., gives a high five to an immunology patient sitting on a bed in a treatment room. Both are smiling and laughing

Cook Children's has awarded Natalia Chaimowitz, M.D., Ph.D., an Endowed Chair to establish the Cook Children's Immunogenetics Program, which is a multidisciplinary initiative that integrates specialized clinical care, a research database and novel gene discovery. By pioneering this innovative new program, Cook Children's will improve patient outcomes through enhanced clinical care, collecting systematic data and discovering novel disease-causing genes. This program will transform our approach to immunogenetics, advancing the diagnosis and management of patients with inborn errors of immunity through cutting-edge genetic technologies, interdisciplinary expertise and collaborative research efforts.

Meet Dr. Chaimowitz

Dr. Chaimowitz is mesmerized by the workings of the immune system and the complex processes needed to keep us healthy. She's passionate about guiding families of children with immune disorders and discovering novel treatments to improve their quality of life.

View bio Cook Children's Immunology

Establish a multidisciplinary immunogenetics clinic to enhance clinical care
- By establishing a dedicated, multidisciplinary approach, this clinic will reduce diagnostic delays, increase access to advanced genetic testing, and facilitate precision medicine strategies for patients with suspected IEIs.
Develop a research database to advance immunogenetic studies
- We will establish a comprehensive, IRB-approved research database that will:
  - Catalog patients by genetic diagnosis – Allowing efficient identification of cases for retrospective studies, case series, and clinical trials.
  - Index patients by clinical presentation – Since many remain without a confirmed genetic diagnosis, categorizing them by immune phenotype (e.g., autoimmune cytopenias, lymphoproliferation, very early-onset inflammatory bowel disease) will facilitate hypothesis-driven research.
  - Enable longitudinal tracking – Incorporating clinical follow-up data to evaluate disease progression, treatment responses, and long-term outcomes.
- Facilitate novel gene discovery through collaborative research partnerships
  - By actively collaborating with leading academic and research institutions, this initiative will help expand the known genetic landscape of IEIs, improve diagnostic rates, and contribute to cutting-edge immunogenetics research—all while ensuring our patients benefit from the latest advancements in genetic discovery.

C Cunningham, L Hamilton, N Chaimowitz, K Williamson. A phenotypic presentation of X-linked agammaglobulinemia in a 16-year-old male with a novel BTK mutation of reported unknown significance. Cook Children's Research Symposium, 2025.

Meet our researchers

Luke Hamilton, Manager, Research Data, Science and Analytics

I was born in Irving, Texas where I attended high school and met my wife. We moved to Abilene, Texas to attend Hardin-Simmons University where I completed my bachelor's degree. I then attended the University of North Texas Health Science Center where I earned my master's degree. Prior to working at Cook Children's, I worked as a scientist in an immunogenomics laboratory where I developed TCR-mimic antibodies, and a pain management medical device company where I developed a three dimensional skin simulator used to visualize radiofrequency ablations. While at Cook Children's, I have worked as a clinical scientist for endocrinology and genetics, and have authored over 25 publications and written 2 textbook chapters. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two boys and staying active through running, weight training, and hiking.

Google Scholar: ‪Luke Hamilton‬ - ‪Google Scholar‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

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luke.hamilton@cookchildrens.org

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