Dr. Harper is a Professor in the Department of Neurology, Division of Child Neurology. In 1998, she received her MD and entered pediatric residency. Following residency, Dr. Harper completed fellowships in neurodevelopmental disabilities/child neurology and neuromuscular medicine. She was the first neurodevelopmental disabilities training graduate nationwide. Her board certifications have included Pediatrics, Child Neurology and Neuromuscular Medicine.
In 2016, she joined the faculty of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond (CHOR)/VCU Health where she is the Shirley Van Epps Waple Professor. Clinically, her primary Her primary clinical leadership role is serving as Director of the CHOR Neuromuscular program which includes directorship of CHoR’s MDA, Duchenne Certified, and SMA Network Care Centers. Formerly, she was the founder, co-founder and/or director for multidisciplinary High Risk Neonatal, Cerebral Palsy, and Pediatric MDA clinics.
Dr. Harper’s contributions and expertise have been recognized on several levels. She was voted by her peers as “Top Doc” in Pediatric Neurology 7 times in 2 (2 states, cities (highest votes 2020). Neurology residents voted her “Best Teacher in Pediatric Neurology” in 2017. She has been recognized by the MDA, PPMD, Cure SMA, and the NC Epilepsy Foundation for her clinical care. Nationally, she serves as an Executive Committee member and Co-Chair of the Publication sub-committee for the Collaborative Neuromuscular Research Group (CINRG). She has been an international workshop moderator, regional symposium course director, reviewer for 4 prominent journals, and contributor to book chapters.
Her research constitutes an unique portfolio of neurodevelopment, neuro-genetics, and muscular dystrophy. Publications have focused on neurodevelopmental outcomes, natural history, novel genes, and emerging therapeutics in muscular dystrophy. She has led or actively collaborated on up to 21 ongoing research studies at a time. She has been co-investigator and Principal Investigator (PI) PI and Co-I on several industry, NIH, CDC and MDA sponsored muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and high risk infant studies. She is involved in similar research efforts at VCU where she is PI and Co-I on 15+ active studies. Muscular dystrophy research has included: translational collaborations, molecular diagnostics, PI for multi-center tissue banking (PI), and site PI CINRG associated clinical trials. Her research has contributed to CINRG related manuscripts, and supported the first FDA approved DMD gene modifying therapy for DMD. At VCU she is an active investigator and supporter in the Muscular Dystrophy Translation Program with Dr. Nicholas Johnson.
Dr. Harper’s clinical and research activities clearly demonstrate her dedicated passion for collaborative scholarship and clinical care in neuromuscular and neurodevelopmental disorders.
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