Drs. Evi Stavrou, John O'Toole, and John David Spencer will function as co-Leads for the TL1 training core. They are accomplished investigators focused on basic and translational research. Their combination of experience will facilitate the creation of individualized training plans for trainees and ultimately reduce barriers to successful interdisciplinary team science.
Dr. Evi Stavrou, MD
Dr. Stavrou is an MPI of the TL1, member of the Steering Committee, and Professor of Pediatrics and Chief of the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at NCH. He is the John E. Fisher Endowed Chair in Clinical and Translational Research. His research program, which investigates innate immune mechanisms that prevent urinary tract infections in the kidney and bladder, has been continuously funded by the NIH since 2012. Dr. Spencer also serves as PI for two NIDDK training grants including R25 and T35 mechanisms that support undergraduate and medical/graduate student research, respectively. He is as a standing reviewer for the NIH-NIDDK DDK-G study section. He has mentored six pre-doctoral and seven post-doctoral trainees who have academic careers. He currently mentors three NIDDK-supported K01/K08 supported faculty and one F32-awardee. In 2025, he was awarded the Mid-Career Award from the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology for mentoring and contributions to the field.
Dr. John F. O'Toole, MD
Dr. O'Toole is an MPI of the TL1, member of the Steering Committee, and Associate Professor in the Division of Molecular Medicine of the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of CWRU and nephrologist in the Division of Kidney Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. His laboratory has received NIH-funding for basic and translational research over the last 17 years. He has trained one graduate student and five post-doctoral students, four have remained in research intensive careers, currently he has one graduate student and three post-doctoral trainees. He has served as a standing member of the grant review panels for career development awards for the American Society of Nephrology and NIH-NIDDK DDK-D study sections. He is Associate Editor of Kidney Medicine. He is a member of the ASN-STARS subcommittee and has served as Associate Program director for the Nephrology Fellowship Program at CWRU and Director of the Physician Scientist Training Program at the MetroHealth Campus of CWRU.
Dr. John David Spencer, MD
Dr Spencer is an MPI of the TL1, member of the Steering Committee, and Professor of Pediatrics and Chief of the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at NCH. He is the John E. Fisher Endowed Chair in Clinical and Translational Research. His research program, which investigates innate immune mechanisms that prevent urinary tract infections in the kidney and bladder, has been continuously funded by the NIH since 2012. Dr. Spencer also serves as PI for two NIDDK training grants including R25 and T35 mechanisms that support undergraduate and medical/graduate student research, respectively. He is as a standing reviewer for the NIH-NIDDK DDK-G study section. He has mentored six pre-doctoral and seven post-doctoral trainees who have academic careers. He currently mentors three NIDDK-supported K01/K08 supported faculty and one F32-awardee. In 2025, he was awarded the Mid-Career Award from the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology for mentoring and contributions to the field.