Sickle Cell Disease w/ Dr. Thomas Coates, MD

Dr. Thomas Coates, MD, holds the position of Section Head of Hematology and serves as an Attending Physician in Hematology, Oncology, and Blood and Marrow Transplantation at Childern's Hospital Los Angeles. He is also a Professor of Pediatrics and Pathology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and an Investigator in Hematology-Oncology. Dr. Coates focuses on two primary areas of basic and translational research: the role of inflammation in the genesis of vascular disease in sickle cell disease, and the detection and management of transfusion-related iron overload. His research utilizes advanced engineering-intensive methodologies, including MRI, laser Doppler flow, digital image analysis, and signal processing, to explore the fundamental mechanisms of sickle cell disease and evaluate the effects of various treatment modalities.

Dr. Coates leads a multidisciplinary team, collaborating closely with departments such as Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Radiology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, as well as the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Physiology/Biophysics at the Keck School of Medicine. Together, they have developed innovative methods to measure the sickling process in human subjects with sickle cell disease, correlating these findings with clinical factors that influence disease severity. This work has significant implications for improving patient care by providing direct, clinically relevant measures of microvascular blood flow and autonomic nervous system function.

In addition to his research, Dr. Coates deeply committed to clinical care, with special interests in pediatric hematology, neutrophil dysfunction, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and coagulation defects. His comprehensive approach integrates cutting-edge research with clinical expertise to advance the understanding and treatment of complex hematologic conditions in pediatric patients.