Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research

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Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research

The Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research (CFAAR) is an interdisciplinary and collaborative re

02/19/2026

On this episode of Real Talk with Dr. Ruchi, Dr. Ruchi sits down with Francesca Cornelli, Dean of Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, to discuss the grit behind entrepreneurial success.

Dean Cornelli highlights a vital truth: success isn’t just a great idea, it’s about the resilience to handle the lows and the preparation to meet the highs.

✅ Key Takeaways:

The Recipe for Success: What it truly takes to build.
The Resilience Factor: Why your “bounce-back” is your best asset.
Founder Pitfalls: Common downfalls to avoid.
Staying Prepared: How to stay one step ahead.

🌟 The goal? Resilience, preparedness, and a clear path. Watch now! 🎥

02/16/2026

Dr. Ruchi Gupta along with her Northwestern University colleague, Dr. Peter Lio, were among the coauthors of the narrative review, “Atopic Comorbidities and Topical Steroids in Early Childhood Atopic Dermatitis: Are We Missing a Piece of the Puzzle?”

Topical corticosteroids (TCS) are effective in controlling the visible symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD), but do not fully suppress key “type-2” allergy-related immune signals in infant skin. These persistent immune pathways may explain why some children with early-onset AD remain at higher risk for food allergies, asthma, and other atopic conditions.

One of the interesting findings highlighted in the review,

“Over 16 weeks, children aged 6 months to 5 years treated with dupilumab and TCS show a 70% reduction in IgE levels, whereas those treated with TCS alone exhibit a 30% increase in IgE levels.”

The authors emphasize that additional research is needed to determine how current and emerging treatments, including topical treatments as well as immune targeting biologics, may affect comorbidities such as food allergies and other atopic conditions.

➡️Read the full article: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12016-025-09131-5

02/13/2026

It was wonderful to have our first CFAAR team meeting of 2026! We were especially excited to reconnect with Justin one of our very first interns over 10 years ago. From being an intern at CFAAR to now almost graduating medical school and on to the next chapter of a pediatrics residency, it’s been incredible to watch his journey come full circle.

So grateful to celebrate the growth of our team and the positive impact we continue to make together. 💜

02/12/2026

On this episode of Real Talk with Ruchi, Dr. Ruchi sits down with Dr. Chase Schuler from the University of Michigan to explore how the mouth, gut, and skin are all connected when it comes to food allergies. 🥜

Dr. Schuler breaks down the powerful connection between these systems and what actually happens inside the body during a food allergy reaction or anaphylaxis. From early warning signs to full-body responses, he explains how understanding this connection can lead to faster recognition, better treatment, and improved outcomes.

✅The goal? Knowledge, preparedness, and empowering families to act with confidence. Tune in now!

CFAAR

02/05/2026

Our team on the move, dropping off samples at the lab and keeping the research going 💜

02/05/2026

On this episode of Real Talk with Ruchi, Dr. Ruchi sits down with , Dr. Dave Stukus, to discuss why individualized plans are the gold standard of care.
Dr. Stukus highlights a vital truth for allergy parents: every child is different, but treatment and support are available regardless of how “severe” the allergy may seem. It’s about moving past fear and into a plan that fits your child’s specific needs.

✅ Highlights from the conversation:

Why “individualized” is better than “universal.”
Navigating treatment options at every severity level.
How to have the right conversation with your allergist.

🌟The goal? Safety, confidence, and a better quality of life. Tune in now! 🎧

02/04/2026

Tune in NOW! Food allergy diagnosis and management can vary throughout the patient’s lifespan. Join us on Wednesday, February 4, at 12:00 p.m. ET, for an educational webinar as expert speakers Ruchi Gupta, MD, MPH, and Gary Falcetano, PA-C, AE-C, walk through how food allergy diagnostics evolve from childhood through adulthood.

Register here: https://bit.ly/4aj8cVt

This FARE webinar is in partnership with

02/02/2026

February is Black History Month.❤️ At CFAAR, we remain committed to advancing equity, inclusion, and understanding within the food allergy community. This month, we honor Black leaders, past and present & recognize the importance of breaking down systemic barriers that impact health outcomes for Black families. Join us as we learn, reflect, and celebrate Black history and culture. ❤️💛

01/29/2026

We are grateful for fresh air, teamwork, and this crew, even in the cold. ❄️💜

01/29/2026

On this episode of Real Talk with Ruchi, Dr. Ruchi chats with James Schroeder from about sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) and its role in advancing food allergy care. 💧✨

They explore how SLIT works, who it may be right for, and what families should understand about emerging immunotherapy options, highlighting the importance of safety, research, and individualized treatment plans.

✅Key SLIT insights from James Schroeder:
• How SLIT is administered
• Potential benefits and considerations
• Why patient-specific care matters

Tune in each week to learn more about innovations in food allergy treatment.

01/29/2026

REGISTER TO ATTEND THE FDA PUBLIC MEETING ON A NEW APPROACH TO 'MAY CONTAIN' STATEMENTS ON FOOD LABELS: FEB. 18

The FDA has been evaluating the use of scientifically established 'thresholds' to standardize the use of "May Contain" statements. A threshold would be the minimum amount of allergenic protein (top 9 if US) at which MOST food allergic people would NOT react. The idea: If a food product's allergen content exceeded the thresholds set for an allergen, the manufacturer would be required to be use a "May Contain" warning.

The FDA is hosting a public meeting on thresholds on February 18, and listening sessions on Feb. 19 and 20 to explore the use of thresholds in this manner. The use of thresholds has potential to bring greater clarity to food labels for the food allergy community.

If you manage food allergies, please consider attending these meetings, submitting questions, and evaluating firsthand the materials presented and the discussions surrounding the threshold approach. It's important that consumer concerns are voiced during this conversation so they can be factored into the FDA's decision process.

Read Allergic Living's article about these meetings, the global food labeling problem, and background on thresholds. This could be a game changer for our entire food allergy community.

Access article and registration links below:

Allergic Living Coverage: https://www.allergicliving.com/2026/01/26/fda-to-host-virtual-meeting-on-food-allergy-thresholds-and-labels/

Register to Attend Meetings:
https://touchpoints.app.cloud.gov/touchpoints/4a12ce06

📷Gustavo Fring on Pexels

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Allergic Living MenuTrinfo Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research Gratefulfoodie

01/27/2026

🌟Check out CFAAR Sleuths🌟 The 2026
CFAAR Science Sleuths Spring Session starts on March 2nd! CFAAR Sleuths🔎 is a 3-month self-guided program providing students of all ages a STEM-based opportunity to become young researchers & explore the field of scientific research. Students will advocate and promote awareness and education to a community they are involved in & will work alongside a mentor of their choosing to implement their study.

Learn more on our website and submit the interest form for the Spring session today! https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/cfaar/community-outreach/cfaar-sleuths-program.html

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750 N. Lakeshore Drive
Chicago, IL
60611

Website

https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/cfaar/

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