Michele Polfuss, PhD, RN, CPNP

• Milwaukee Campus-Children's Wisconsin
  8915 W. Connell Court
  Milwaukee, WI 53226

Dr. Polfuss is a nurse scientist who has the privilege of holding the role of Joint Research Chair in the Nursing of Children between Children’s Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee School of Nursing. Through this role she expands the knowledge base in nursing care of children and their families by:

• Advancing nursing science as a scientist, collaborator and consultant through a strategic and funded program of research that promotes child health and wellbeing by investigating and reducing challenges surrounding health and the provision of care to children and their families.
• Promoting visibility of nursing science through the dissemination of study findings at local, national and international levels.
• Fostering a spirit of inquiry and professional engagement, encouraging and supporting others to conduct research.
• Serving on state and national level committees related to areas of research.
• Providing research consultation and mentoring to nurses and advanced practice providers of Children’s Wisconsin and nursing students.

Bibliography

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/michele.polfuss.1/bibliography/public/

Education

• 2010, Marquette University, PhD
• 2000, Marquette University, MSN

Awards

Research

Research Summary

Dr. Polfuss’ federally funded program of research advances the science of understanding obesity and weight management in children, with a specific focus on children with developmental disabilities. This research trajectory addresses the need for an accurate assessment of abnormal weight status in a clinical setting and leverages the role of the individual, familial parenting and feeding behaviors, and the environment to optimize health outcomes.

This research originates from Dr. Polfuss’ extensive clinical background working on the prevention and treatment of obesity and the secondary chronic diseases associated with obesity in children and their families. Unfortunately, research on obesity primarily focuses on the typically developing child, despite evidence that obesity and its sequelae have higher prevalence in children with certain developmental disabilities (i.e., Down syndrome, spina bifida and autism spectrum disorder).

Current studies are focused on 1) developing a clinically feasible, cost-effective, and valid method to assess and categorize the amount of body fat in children with spina bifida, 2) developing an algorithm to predict the energy requirements of children with spina bifida and Down syndrome, and 3) understanding weight-related behaviors of nutrition and physical activity. Additional research topics focused on children with chronic conditions include health promotion, self-management and understanding of the influence of a child’s chronic condition on other family members, including siblings.

Current Grant Funding

• Hartley, S., Handen, B., Hom, C, Ptomey, L. 1U01HD116477-01. Lifestyle, Metabolic Health, and Comorbidity Risk in Down Syndrome (MET-DS). RFA-OD-24-003 U01 Down Syndrome Cohort Research Site (DS-CRS) for the Down syndrome Cohort Development Program (DS-CDP). 9/17/2024-5/31/2026 NIH/NICHD. Co-I
• Polfuss, M 3R01HD096085-02S1.  Energy Expenditure and Weight-Related Behaviors in Youth with Down Syndrome. NOT-OD-20-023; PA-20-185. Investigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down Syndrome (INCLUDE). 09/22/21-11/30/25. NIH/NICHD. PI
• Polfuss, M. R01HD096085. Body Composition and Energy Expenditure in Youth with Spina Bifida. 07/1/19-11/30/25. NIH/NICHD. PI
• Sherburne, E. U01DD001240-01. Research Approaches to Improving the Care and Outcomes of People Living with Spina Bifida in Wisconsin: The NSBPR. US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 09/1/19-08/31/25. Co-I