Joshua L. Kennedy
Associate Professor
Also affiliated: Arkansas Children's Hospital (2009–2026); University of New Mexico (2018); University of Arkansas Medical Center (2018–2024); University of Virginia Health System (2012–2014); University of Virginia Medical Center (2012–2013); Arkansas Children's Research Institute (2014–2026); University of Virginia (2011–2022)
Peds Pediatrics, College of Medicine
Research Areas
Biomedical Subjects
Links
Biography and Research Information
OverviewAI-generated summary
Joshua L. Kennedy studies the mechanisms by which rhinovirus (RV) infections exacerbate asthma, particularly in children. His research highlights that while RV infection alone can increase wheezing risk in asthmatic children, this risk is significantly amplified when combined with high levels of sensitization to allergens. This synergistic interaction between allergy and RV infection is the central focus of his current hypotheses. He investigates epithelial cell-derived cytokines, such as IL-33, IL-25, and TSLP, which are associated with RV infection and contribute to a Th2-biased (allergic) immune response.
Dr. Kennedy's work extends to understanding the clinical implications of viral infections and allergic sensitization. He has published research on the relationship between IgE antibody titers to dust mite allergen and wheezing risk in asthmatic children infected with rhinovirus. His broader interests include chronic sinusitis, anaphylaxis, and the reliability of asthma control assessments. He also has investigated ACE2 autoantibodies following SARS-CoV-2 infection, indicating an interest in broader respiratory viral pathogenesis.
With an h-index of 25 and over 2,200 citations across 141 publications, Dr. Kennedy is recognized as a highly cited researcher. He has secured funding from the NIH/National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences for the CTSA K12 Program at UAMS, totaling $756,000. He actively collaborates with researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, including Karl W. Boehme and J. Craig Forrest, with whom he shares multiple publications.
Research Overview
Dr. Kennedy received his medical degree from UAMS in 2006 and completed an Internal Medicine and Pediatrics residency from 2006 to 2010. He went on to complete a fellowship in Allergy and Immunology at the University of Virginia. Dr. Kennedy joined the faculty of UAMS in July 2013 where he is a member of the Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology and the ACRI Lung Cell Biology Lab. Dr. Kennedy’s primary research focuses upon mechanisms whereby infection with the common cold virus, rhinovirus (RV), leads to exacerbations of asthma. 60% to 80% of children seen in the emergency room with an exacerbation of asthma will be infected with RV. In his previous research, it became clear that while RV infection alone increases the risk of wheezing in children with asthma; the combination of RV infection and high titer sensitization to allergen significantly increases the odds to wheeze in children seen in the emergency department. It is this synergy between allergy and RV infection that drives his current research hypotheses. To that end, he is studying epithelial cell-derived cytokines that bias a Th2 (i.e., allergic) response (IL-33, IL-25, and TSLP) associated with RV infection in subjects with asthma both in vitro and in vivo. Also, Dr. Kennedy enthusiastically contributes to the education of fellows, residents, and students at UAMS by participating in the educational mission of the Department of Pediatrics in many capacities.
Metrics
- h-index: 25
- Publications: 136
- Citations: 2,261
Positions
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Associate Professor 2013–presentUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Peds Pediatrics, College of Medicine Institutional directory
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Arkansas Children's Hospital 2013–presentORCID
Selected Publications
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Is there an association between folic acid food fortification and the risk of COVID-19 incidence or mortality? (2026)
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Alarmins Modulate Airway Contraction and Relaxation of Human Small Airways (2026)
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Implementation of early peanut introduction among providers in a southern US state (2026)
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Assessing Strategies to Increase Combination Inhaler Use for Asthma Rescue: A Multi-Phase Quality Improvement Project (2026)
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Hospitalizations and Severity of Rhinovirus-Associated Asthma Exacerbations in Children During the Institution of Non-pharmaceutical Interventions (2026)
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Evaluating Oral Food Challenge Outcomes to the "Big 9” Allergens (2026)
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Exploring new frontiers in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (2025)
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From lockdown to recovery: changing patterns of viral infection severity in a pediatric cohort with asthma (2025)
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Beyond respiratory syncytial virus and rhinovirus (2025)
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Prevalence of Adverse Drug Reactions: Comparing Crotalidae Immune Polyvalent Antivenoms F(ab’)2 and F(ab) in a Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) Endemic Area (2025)
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Asthma Associated Cytokines Regulate Gasdermin A and Gasdermin B Expression by Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells (2025)
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Resurgence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Following COVID-19 Pandemic Measures: A Study of Antibody Dynamics in Young Children (2025)
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IL-1β-driven NF-κB transcription of ACE2 as a Mechanism of Macrophage Infection by SARS-CoV-2 (2024)
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Rare inborn error of immunity presenting as acute respiratory failure (2024)
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Younger and rural children are more likely to be hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infections (2024)
Federal Grants 1 $756,000 total
CTSA K12 Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Grants & Funding
As listed on this researcher's institutional profile. Federal awards with verified records are shown above.
- “Host-Pathogen Genomic Determinants of Pediatric Respiratory Infection Severity.” CTSA TRI Western Consortium Principal Investigator
- “Examining the intersection of rhinovirus infection and asthma exacerbations.” ACRI Marion B Lyon New Scientist Development Award Principal Investigator
- Kennedy Recruitment ACHRI (ACHRI # 033068) UAMS ACHRI Flow Through Principal Investigator
- DISCOVAR:Disparities in Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 in ARkansas NIH Co-Investigator
- An Integrated Host-Microbe Gene Classifier to Predict SARS-CoV-2 and Severe Disease in Children with Respiratory Viral Coinfections NIH Principal Investigator
- “Examining mechanisms of synergy between asthma exacerbations and RV infection.” NIH NIAID Principal Investigator
- Enhancing SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing Efforts for Variants in AR UAMS ACHRI Flow Through Principal Investigator
- ORMDL3 Stimulated ICAM1 and RVA-induced Childhood Asthma Exacerbations NIH Principal Investigator
- “Mechanisms for Rhinovirus Induced Airway Hyper-responsiveness in Human Lung.” NIGMS COBRE Pilot Project Award Principal Investigator
- Targeting lipid rafts for treatment of asthma NIH Co-Principal Investigator
- ORMDL3 Stimulated ICAM1 and RVA-induced Childhood Asthma Exacerbations NIH/Nat. Inst. of Allergy & Infectious Diseases via UAMS ACHRI Flow Through Principal Investigator
- Host-Pathogen Genomic Determinants of Pediatric Respiratory Infection Severity UAMS Intramural Grant (CTSA) Principal Investigator
- Targeting Lipid Rafts for Treatment of Asthma UAMS ACHRI Flow Through Principal Investigator
- Examining mechanisms of synergy between asthma exacerbations and RV infections UAMS Clinician Scientist Program Principal Investigator
- GR034183-Kennedy-Enhancing SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing Efforts for Variants in the State of Arkansas UAMS ACHRI Flow Through Principal Investigator
- GR034176-Kennedy-ACRI-Airway Inflammation and Airway Remodeling in Severe Asthma-Cont of Dr. Kurten's(Retired) UAMS ACHRI Flow Through Principal Investigator
Collaboration Network
Top Collaborators
- Role of the Airway Microbiome in Respiratory Infections and Asthma in Children
- The role of next generation sequencing in infection prevention in human parainfluenza virus 3 infections in immunocompromised patients
- Viral infection and allergy status impact severity of asthma symptoms in children with asthma exacerbations
- Complete Genome Sequences of Four Novel Human Coronavirus OC43 Isolates Associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Infection
- An Outbreak of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections in an Outpatient Cancer Unit: Clinical Characteristics and Molecular Investigations
Showing 5 of 19 shared publications
- Impact of food allergy on food insecurity and health literacy in a tertiary care pediatric allergy population
- Effects of rhinovirus 39 infection on airway hyperresponsiveness to carbachol in human airways precision cut lung slices
- Effects of allergen sensitization on response to therapy in children with eosinophilic esophagitis
- Long-term Walnut Oral Immunotherapy Induces Clinically Relevant Treatment Responses in Tree Nut Allergic Children
- Acetaminophen is both bronchodilatory and bronchoprotective in human precision cut lung slice airways
Showing 5 of 18 shared publications
- Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease: Prevalence, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Considerations for the Future
- The role of next generation sequencing in infection prevention in human parainfluenza virus 3 infections in immunocompromised patients
- Viral infection and allergy status impact severity of asthma symptoms in children with asthma exacerbations
- Complete Genome Sequences of Four Novel Human Coronavirus OC43 Isolates Associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Infection
- Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel WU Polyomavirus Isolate from Arkansas, USA, Associated with Acute Respiratory Infection
Showing 5 of 16 shared publications
- Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Children: Pathophysiology, Evaluation, and Medical Management
- Effects of rhinovirus 39 infection on airway hyperresponsiveness to carbachol in human airways precision cut lung slices
- Pediatric SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Arkansas Over the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Viral infection and allergy status impact severity of asthma symptoms in children with asthma exacerbations
- Temporal Variations in Seroprevalence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infections by Race and Ethnicity in Arkansas
Showing 5 of 16 shared publications
- Modulation of airway hyperresponsiveness by rhinovirus exposure
- Effects of rhinovirus 39 infection on airway hyperresponsiveness to carbachol in human airways precision cut lung slices
- An ex vivo human precision-cut lung slice platform provides insight into SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and antiviral drug efficacy
- Acetaminophen is both bronchodilatory and bronchoprotective in human precision cut lung slice airways
- An ex vivo human precision-cut lung slice platform provides insight into SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and antiviral drug efficacy
Showing 5 of 13 shared publications
- The role of next generation sequencing in infection prevention in human parainfluenza virus 3 infections in immunocompromised patients
- Viral infection and allergy status impact severity of asthma symptoms in children with asthma exacerbations
- Complete Genome Sequences of Four Novel Human Coronavirus OC43 Isolates Associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Infection
- Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel WU Polyomavirus Isolate from Arkansas, USA, Associated with Acute Respiratory Infection
- Nasal IL-15 levels are similar between asthmatics and controls during asthma exacerbations and viral upper respiratory infections
Showing 5 of 12 shared publications
- Pediatric SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Arkansas Over the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Viral infection and allergy status impact severity of asthma symptoms in children with asthma exacerbations
- Acetaminophen is both bronchodilatory and bronchoprotective in human precision cut lung slice airways
- Temporal Variations in Seroprevalence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infections by Race and Ethnicity in Arkansas
- Effects of nonpharmaceutical interventions during COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric asthma exacerbations and viral infections
Showing 5 of 12 shared publications
- Pediatric SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Arkansas Over the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Implementing Pharmacogenomics Testing: Single Center Experience at Arkansas Children’s Hospital
- SARS-CoV-2 pandemic non-pharmacologic interventions temporally associated with reduced pediatric infections due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and co-infecting respiratory viruses in Arkansas
- SARS-CoV-2 Infection Mitigation Strategies Concomitantly Reduce Group A Streptococcus Pharyngitis
- Effects of nonpharmaceutical interventions during COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric asthma exacerbations and viral infections
Showing 5 of 12 shared publications
- SARS-CoV-2 pandemic non-pharmacologic interventions temporally associated with reduced pediatric infections due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and co-infecting respiratory viruses in Arkansas
- Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 using long-range PCR primers
- Effects of nonpharmaceutical interventions during COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric asthma exacerbations and viral infections
- Younger and rural children are more likely to be hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infections
- Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Using Long-Range PCR Primers
Showing 5 of 12 shared publications
- Impact of food allergy on food insecurity and health literacy in a tertiary care pediatric allergy population
- Effects of allergen sensitization on response to therapy in children with eosinophilic esophagitis
- Viral infection and allergy status impact severity of asthma symptoms in children with asthma exacerbations
- Long-term Walnut Oral Immunotherapy Induces Clinically Relevant Treatment Responses in Tree Nut Allergic Children
- Effects of nonpharmaceutical interventions during COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric asthma exacerbations and viral infections
Showing 5 of 11 shared publications
- Pediatric SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Arkansas Over the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Acetaminophen is both bronchodilatory and bronchoprotective in human precision cut lung slice airways
- Temporal Variations in Seroprevalence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infections by Race and Ethnicity in Arkansas
- Rural Research Network to engage rural and minority community members in translational research
- State-wide random seroprevalence survey of SARS-CoV-2 past infection in a southern US State, 2020
Showing 5 of 10 shared publications
- Effects of rhinovirus 39 infection on airway hyperresponsiveness to carbachol in human airways precision cut lung slices
- Long-term Walnut Oral Immunotherapy Induces Clinically Relevant Treatment Responses in Tree Nut Allergic Children
- Effects of nonpharmaceutical interventions during COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric asthma exacerbations and viral infections
- Younger and rural children are more likely to be hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infections
- Desensitization to Walnut and Test Tree Nuts during a Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Walnut Oral Immunotherapy Trial
Showing 5 of 10 shared publications
- Development of ACE2 autoantibodies after SARS-CoV-2 infection
- The Serological Sciences Network (SeroNet) for COVID-19: Depth and Breadth of Serology Assays and Plans for Assay Harmonization
- Pediatric SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Arkansas Over the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Temporal Variations in Seroprevalence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infections by Race and Ethnicity in Arkansas
- State-wide random seroprevalence survey of SARS-CoV-2 past infection in a southern US State, 2020
Showing 5 of 10 shared publications
- Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease: Prevalence, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Considerations for the Future
- Rhinovirus and Asthma Exacerbations
- Understanding the asthmatic response to an experimental rhinovirus infection: Exploring the effects of blocking IgE
- The past, present, and future of monoclonal antibodies to IL-5 and eosinophilic asthma: a review
- Lower viral loads in subjects with rhinovirus-challenged allergy despite reduced innate immunity
Showing 5 of 9 shared publications
- Viral infection and allergy status impact severity of asthma symptoms in children with asthma exacerbations
- Complete Genome Sequences of Four Novel Human Coronavirus OC43 Isolates Associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Infection
- Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel WU Polyomavirus Isolate from Arkansas, USA, Associated with Acute Respiratory Infection
- Medical Training in Common Pediatric Allergic Emergencies Using High Fidelity Patient Simulation Mannequins
- Complete Genome Sequences of Two Novel Isolates of Human Parainfluenza Virus 1 Associated with Acute Respiratory Infection
Showing 5 of 9 shared publications
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