Assist. Prof. Dr. Marwa Elgendy | Neonatology – Assistant Professor in Department of Neonatology at University of Maryland, United States
Dr. Marwa Mahmoud Mohamed Elgendy is an accomplished physician-scientist and Assistant Professor of Neonatology at the University of Maryland. Her professional journey spans across continents, encompassing over a decade of rigorous clinical service, academic excellence, and high-impact research. Her work in neonatal medicine is characterized by her passion for improving the outcomes of critically ill infants and advancing the understanding of neonatal pathophysiology through data-driven research. She has trained at some of the most prestigious institutions, including the Cleveland Clinic and George Washington University, gaining exposure to advanced NICU environments and becoming a recognized contributor to the neonatology research community. A dedicated mentor, team leader, and scholar, Dr. Elgendy exemplifies the integration of clinical care, research innovation, and academic leadership.
Academic Profile:
Education:
Dr. Elgendy earned her M.B.B.Ch. from the Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, graduating with honors and an excellent grade. She went on to complete her Master’s Degree in Pediatrics at the same institution, where she first developed her interest in neonatology. Her postgraduate training includes a pediatric residency at Tanta University followed by further training in the United States, including a highly competitive neonatology fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. She also completed dual research fellowships—one at Cleveland Clinic and the other at George Washington University—where she led neonatal research projects and published extensively. This solid educational foundation, enhanced by clinical immersion in both Egypt and the U.S., uniquely equips her with a global and deeply contextual perspective on pediatric and neonatal care.
Experience:
With over 15 years of hands-on clinical and teaching experience, Dr. Elgendy has worked in various capacities ranging from NICU attending to university lecturer and neonatology research fellow. She has led multidisciplinary teams in both U.S. and Egyptian hospitals, including managing high-acuity NICUs with capacities exceeding 50 beds. She has supervised residents and medical students, designed learning modules, implemented clinical protocols, and participated in policy development. Her experience is further enriched by roles in pediatric residency and critical care leadership, with notable strengths in neonatal echocardiography, ECMO support, and complex hemodynamic assessment. She has also contributed to several institutional quality improvement programs and continues to balance clinical responsibilities with active research.
Research Interest:
Dr. Elgendy’s research is centered on neonatal hemodynamics, metabolomics, and the early detection of organ dysfunction in preterm and critically ill infants. She has a strong interest in exploring novel biomarkers, such as volatile organic compounds in neonatal breath, and has published on topics including acute kidney injury, neonatal stroke, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and racial disparities in neonatal outcomes. Her metabolomic study on VOCs in maternal and infant exhaled breath was recently featured at PAS 2024, emphasizing her commitment to translational neonatal science. Dr. Elgendy’s integration of bedside expertise with research acumen allows her to formulate practical, evidence-based questions with real-world applications in NICU care.
Award:
Dr. Elgendy has been consistently recognized for her excellence in neonatology, receiving accolades from institutional leaders for her contributions in both research and clinical practice. She has also had multiple abstracts accepted at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meetings and her studies have been published in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals. Her innovative research and international collaboration make her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award in the field of neonatology.
Publication:
1️⃣ Comparative study of paracetamol, ibuprofen, and indomethacin for PDA closure in preterms (👶 Eur J Pediatr, 2017 – cited 120+ times).
2️⃣ Urinary NT-proBNP in newborns with cardiac and pulmonary disease (💓 Am J Perinatol, 2021 – cited 60+ times).
3️⃣ Neonatal stroke: Clinical outcomes (🧠 Pediatr Neonatol, 2021 – cited 80+ times).
4️⃣ Platelet transfusion and outcomes in preterm infants (🩸 Neonatology, 2021 – cited 40+ times).
5️⃣ Spontaneous intestinal perforation in premature infants (🩺 J Perinatol, 2021 – cited 100+ times).
6️⃣ AKI in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (🫁 Pediatr Res, 2023 – cited 30+ times).
7️⃣ Superior mesenteric artery blood flow in preterm infants (🩻 JPGN, 2021 – cited 50+ times).
Conclusion:
Dr. Marwa Elgendy is a dynamic and highly capable academician whose work bridges the gap between clinical neonatology and innovative research. Her broad experience, cutting-edge projects, and extensive publications establish her as a leading figure in neonatal health. Her consistent pursuit of scientific excellence and ability to address critical healthcare questions mark her as a researcher of national and international impact. As such, she is eminently suited for the Best Researcher Award, which would further empower her to expand her contributions to neonatology and inspire the next generation of clinician-scientists.