William J. Muller, MD, PhD

Clinical and Community Trials
Pronouns: He, Him, His

“As a leading pediatric academic medical center, I consider it critical that Lurie Children’s is involved in the clinical development of cutting-edge treatments and tests for the children who need them. Our Infectious Diseases Clinical Trials team actively supports studies of new drugs and tests to prevent, cure, and diagnose infections, while my role at Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute is to help ensure Lurie Children’s has a major role in the development of these interventions in all populations of pediatric patients.”

Research Interests

  • Clinical Trials in Infectious Diseases
  • Infections in Immune-compromised Children
  • Central Nervous System Infections

Biography

  • Attending Physician, Infectious Diseases, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
  • Scientific Director, Clinical and Community Trials, Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute
  • Ted Emerson Miller Research Scholar, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
  • Professor of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

See Lurie Children's Provider Profile

William J. Muller, MD, PhD, is Scientific Director for Clinical and Community Trials at the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. He specializes in infectious diseases in children, with a specific focus on children undergoing organ or stem cell transplantation or those with compromised immunity. Dr. Muller and his team participate in numerous clinical trials involving vaccines, anti-infectives, and diagnostics. Dr. Muller is also involved in studies on viruses that infect the nervous system. 

Education and Background

  • Fellowship in Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Seattle Children’s Hospital 2007
  • Residency in Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Colorado 2004
  • MD, Emory University School of Medicine 2001
  • PhD, University of Pennsylvania 1992
  • BS, University of Notre Dame 1985

Research Highlights

DEVELOPMENT OF THERAPEUTICS TO PREVENT SERIOUS RESPIRATORY VIRAL INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN 

Our team is actively involved in several trials for treatment or prevention of pediatric infections with SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19), respiratory syncyctial virus (RSV), influenza, and other viruses. We have been a leading enroller to studies of nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody found to significantly reduce severe illness from RSV in babies. We are also one of the leading sites for studies of one of the mRNA vaccines against Covid-19 in children. We are a site for additional ongoing trials of therapeutics for RSV, influenza, and Covid-19. 

EXPANDING OUR TREATMENT AND DIAGNOSTIC OPTIONS FOR FUNGAL INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN WITH COMPROMISED IMMUNITY 

We are among the leading sites involved in studies of newer antifungal drugs and formulations for treating fungal infections, among the most severe complications occurring in children with immune compromise. Our team is also studying cutting edge diagnostic tests in these patients, as these infections are often very difficult to identify. These studies include those with cancer, stem cell transplants, or solid organ transplants. 

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