Meet our Primary Investigator:

Carolyn Foster, MD, MS

Our Team

Carolyn Foster, MD, MS (she/her)

Dr. Carolyn Foster is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and an attending physician at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago in Advanced General Pediatrics and Primary Care.

She received her undergraduate degree in biological science from Columbia University and medical doctorate from Harvard University. She is a board-certified pediatrician with pediatric and health services research training from the University of Washington’s School of Public Health and Seattle Children’s Hospital, where she spent an additional year as chief resident.

As a physician-investigator, she focuses on developing and evaluating health care delivery interventions and health care policies for children with medical complexity and disability that maximize their health outcomes and optimizes their health care utilization within a family context. She is particularly interested in improving the access to and quality of home and community-based health care for children needed for safe, independent, and vibrant lives at home, school, and play.

As part of this work, she is co-director of Lurie Children’s Complex Care Program and co-leads evaluation of Lurie Children’s Digital Health/Telemedicine programs.

Our Current Research Staff

Leah West, MS, CCLS (she/her)

Project Manager

Leah joined the Foster Health Lab in April of 2023 after transitioning from a full-time certified child life specialist role within the medical imaging department of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital. Leah graduated from the University of Missouri in 2018 with a master’s degree in human development and family sciences with an emphasis in child life, completed by publishing a research thesis in the Journal of Child Life. Leah has frontline experience working with patients and their caregivers to navigate the pediatric healthcare system, which has fostered a strong desire to make the system more accessible, equitable, and responsive to all children’s physical and emotional needs. Outside of the lab, Leah enjoys cooking new recipes, doing yoga with friends, and exploring all that Chicago has to offer!

Cameron Cooper, MPH (she/her)

Behavioral RESEARCH coordinator II

Cameron joined the Foster Health Lab in July of 2023 after working as a full-time Clinical Research Coordinator at the Autism Assessment, Treatment, Research and Services (AARTS) Center at Rush University Medical Center. Prior to her time at the AARTS Center, Cameron completed a dual degree program earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Public Health. During her time in this program, Cameron gained an interest in early childhood adversity and understanding how evidence-based interventions can be used to improve access to mental health services for historically marginalized groups. Cameron is excited to be joining the Foster Lab to continue her passion for using research to improve the lives of children and families. Outside of the lab, Cameron enjoys doing pilates, trying Chicago’s incredible restaurants, and taking film pictures on her 35mm camera.

Peter Walsh (he/him)

Behavioral research coordinator ii

Peter joined the Foster Health Lab in November of 2023 after graduating from Northwestern University, where he studied Psychology and Asian American Studies. Previously, Peter worked as an undergraduate research assistant at The Family Institute at Northwestern University and Feinberg Medical School. Through these opportunities, he developed a love for research and prioritized frameworks of intersectionality and care. Peter is thrilled to be joining the Foster Health Lab where he hopes to provide support to children and families and make a positive impact in their lives. Outside of the lab, Peter enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, baking cookies, and tending to his large collection of house plants.

Sofia Seewald (she/her)

Behavioral research Assistant

Sofia joined the Foster Health Lab in September of 2024 after graduating from Emory University, where she studied Anthropology and Human Biology. She discovered a passion for research at the Emory National Primate Research Center working as an undergraduate research assistant in a lab focused on developmental and cognitive neuroscience. Her interests in anthropology, research, and medicine have allowed her to view health and well-being holistically and reflect on ways to improve health systems to make them more inclusive. She is incredibly excited to contribute to the Foster Health Lab’s mission of improving care for children and supporting their families every step of the way. In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis, sailing with her family, going on long walks, trying new foods with friends, baking scones, and traveling whenever possible!

Connor Karwowski (he/him)

Behavioral research COORDINATOR I

Connor joined the Foster Health Lab in October 2024 after spending a year working as a medical scribe in a developmental-behavioral pediatrics clinic. This experience helped him develop an interest in the specific public health considerations for children with developmental disabilities and their families/caregivers. Previously, Connor graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2023 where he received undergraduate degrees in Psychology, Music, and Spanish. During this time, Connor became passionate about behavioral research and working with families in a research context while working in a developmental neuroscience lab. Connor is thrilled to be joining the Foster Health Lab and contribute to research which is inclusive and responsive to the needs of children with medical complexity and the experiences of their families. When he’s not in the lab, you can find Connor practicing the oboe, volunteering at his local food bank, or listening to a podcast.