Ellen van der Plas, Ph.D.

Research Interests

Through the KIDSCAN Lab, she works to raise awareness of the critical importance of brain development and cognitive function in children treated for leukemia, sickle cell disease, chronic kidney disease, and those undergoing bone marrow transplantation. The mission of the KIDSCAN lab is to ensure that children who survive major medical crises enjoy the same quality of life as their healthy peers. While medical advancements mean that the vast majority of children diagnosed with conditions like leukemia, sickle cell disease, or chronic kidney disease are now cured, many survivors face ongoing challenges known as "late effects."

Research from the lab has shown that survivors of serious childhood illnesses often face difficulties with "executive functions"—tasks that require concentrating or keeping multiple pieces of information in mind at once. Using Multispectral Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Dr. van der Plas and her team have identified differences in brain structure, brain metabolites, and connectivity between survivors and their peers. Crucially, these neurological differences help explain the specific cognitive hurdles survivors experience in their daily lives.

The lab’s current research aims to use multispectral MRI to identify early biomarkers or signs of abnormal brain development. By understanding what to look for while a child is undergoing therapy for cancer, sickle cell disease, or kidney failure, medical teams may be able to intervene sooner. The ultimate goal of the KIDSCAN Lab is to move beyond just curing the primary illness and toward preventing neurocognitive late effects entirely, ensuring a high quality of life for every survivor.

National & International Leadership

Dr. van der Plas holds several leadership positions within national and international research consortia dedicated to the long-term well-being of pediatric cancer survivors. Notably, she serves as the Co-Chair of the Psychology Working Group for the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS). In this role, she plays a pivotal part in shaping research initiatives that leverage the CCSS database to better understand and improve mental health outcomes for survivors. Within the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), Dr. van der Plas leads the Neurocognitive Task Force, where she coordinates large-scale literature reviews to establish essential clinical guidelines for long-term care. Furthermore, as a working group leader for the International Guideline Harmonization Group (IGHG), she spearheads efforts to identify evidence-based risk factors. This work is vital in helping clinicians pinpoint survivors who are at the highest risk for neurocognitive challenges, allowing for earlier and more targeted support.

Dr. van der Plas has received funding from the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, the Translational Research Institute, and the Canadian Cancer Society.

Email: evanderplas@uams.edu

Phone: 501-364-2763