Research Education Alumni Spotlight: Grace Gombolay, MD, MSc

Grace Gombolay, MD, MSc, FAAN, FANA, FCNS headshot

Grace Gombolay, MD, MSc, FAAN, FANA, FCNS, is an alum of the Georgia CTSA KL2 Program and Master’s of Science in Clinical Research. She currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.  

What is your research focus or area of expertise?

My research focuses on biomarkers and outcomes in pediatric neuroinflammatory diseases. I am the recent MPI of an NIH U54 Rare Disease Clinical Research Network called ARISEN, which is the first multi-center prospective patient neuroinflammatory registry in the U.S. for autoimmune encephalitis, Rasmussen syndrome, and NORSE with 24 centers.

Why did you pursue the Georgia CTSA training program?

I wanted to become a physician-scientist and was interested in how to optimize my training and research. The KL2 program offered more than protected research time: it provided opportunities for leadership training, exposure to institutional resources, and a community of junior faculty with whom I could collaborate, commiserate, and encourage one another as we navigated the challenges of launching independent research careers.

I also had the opportunity to pursue a Master’s of Science in Clinical Research which provided a strong foundation in rigorous study design, biostatistics, clinical investigation, and the conduct of high-quality research.

Why others should participate in a Georgia CTSA training program?

Many junior investigators are motivated, intelligent, and inquisitive, qualities that are critical for a successful and meaningful research career. However, the Georgia CTSA provides more than support for individual trainees. It offers the tools, mentorship, training, and infrastructure needed to accelerate career development, opening doors to opportunities and experiences that might otherwise take years longer to access or might not arise at all.

Can you share notable accomplishments during or since your time in the program?

  • Grant funding/Awards:
  • Publications:
    • First paper on rates of leptomeningeal enhancmenet (an MRI finding) in children with demyelinating diseases:
      • Goldman-Yassen A, Lee A, Gombolay G. Leptomeningeal Enhancement in Pediatric Anti-Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder. Pediatr Neurol. 2024 Apr;153:125-130. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2024.01.026. Epub 2024 Feb 2. PMID: 38382244; PMCID: PMC10940200.
    • A manuscript written by a medial student mentee published in a leading pediatric neurology journal:
      • Devlin L, Gombolay G. The Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and the Monocyte-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predict Expanded Disability Status Scale Score at One Year in Pediatric Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder but not in Multiple Sclerosis. Pediatr Neurol. 2023 Jun;143:84-88. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.03.009. Epub 2023 Mar 17. PMID: 37044044; PMCID: PMC10205676.
    • A manuscript written by an undergraduate student mentee published in another leading pediatric neurology journal:
      • Kaufmann C, Morris M, Gombolay GY. Antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination or infection in a prospective cohort of children with neuroinflammatory diseases. Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2023 Sep;46:30-34. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2023.06.009. Epub 2023 Jun 29. PMID: 37399703; PMCID: PMC10307668.
    • Two multicenter network papers in the largest cohort of pediatric anti-NMDAR autoimmune encephalitis:
      • Gombolay G, Brenton JN, Yang JH, Stredny CM, Kammeyer R, Otten CE, Vu N, Santoro JD, Robles-Lopez K, Christiana A, Steriade C, Morris M, Gorman M, Moodley M, Hardy D, Kornbluh AB, Kahn I, Sepeta LN, Yeshokumar A; Conquering Neuroinflammation and Epilepsies Consortium (CONNECT). MRI Features and Their Association With Outcomes in Children With Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2023 May 26;10(4):e200130. doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000200130. PMID: 37236807; PMCID: PMC10219134.
      • Gombolay G, Brenton JN, Yang JH, Stredny CM, Kammeyer R, Fisher KS, Sandweiss AJ, Erickson TA, Kannan V, Otten C, Steriade C, Vu N, Santoro JD, Robles-Lopez K, Goodrich R, Otallah S, Arellano J, Christiana A, Morris M, Gorman MP, Kornbluh AB, Kahn I, Sepeta L, Jiang Y, Muscal E, Murray KO, Moodley M, Hardy D. Isolated Psychiatric Symptoms in Children With Anti-N-Methyl-d Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis. Pediatr Neurol. 2024 Oct;159:12-15. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2024.07.009. Epub 2024 Jul 17. PMID: 39094249; PMCID: PMC11381152.

Which leadership positions have you held?

I am the former Chair of the Membership Committee for the Child Neurology Society. I currently serves as the Chair of the Scientific Selection and Program Planning Committee for the Child Neurology Society Annual Meeting

What are your research or career milestones?

  • Promoted to Associate Professor in 2024
  • Awarded grants, especially the multicenter U54 ARISEN Consortium