Mary Ellen Vajravelu, MD MSHP
Dr. Vajravelu is a pediatric endocrinologist in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh. She is a faculty member within the Center for Pediatric Research in Obesity and Metabolism. She treats all pediatric endocrine conditions and has special expertise in management of obesity and type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents. Her research aims to develop optimal treatment strategies for youth and young adults with obesity, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes that overcome real-world barriers. Current and past projects include development of digital health-based interventions to increase physical activity, community-partnered interventions to address health-related social needs, and characterization of social risk factors for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in youth.
Dr. Vajravelu enjoys mentoring trainees of all levels and collaborating with investigators across disciplines.
Research Highlights
NIH NIDDK 5R01DK137803, 7/2024-6/2029 (PI): Real-time Engagement For Learning to Effectively Control Type 2 Diabetes
NIH NIDDK R01DK142766, 9/2025-7/2028 (MPI with Maya Ragavan, MD MPH MS): ONWARD: Optimizing Navigation for Wellness And Resource utilization in type 2 Diabetes
NIH NIDDK R01DK147932, 9/2026-5/2031 (MPI with Kristin Ray, MD MS): Econsults to optimize care for children with obesity
NIH NIDDK U01DK134971, 6/2026-1/2028 (site PI; co-site PI Silva Arslanian, MD): DISCOVERY of Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes in Youth
RK Mellon Institute, 1/2026-12/2027 (PI): A Pilot Observational Study to Inform Development of Nutrition Interventions for Adolescents Using GLP-1 for Weight Loss
CGM with home-based OGTT for type 2 diabetes risk assessment in youth
Prediabetes prevalence by adverse social determinants of health
Race- and neighborhood-related disparities and glycemic and BMI trajectories in youth with diabetes
Real-world patterns of treatment for children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes
BMI changes after a diagnosis of prediabetes for adolescents
Interested in participating in one of our studies?
Check out the flyers below and fill out an interest form here:
DISCOVERY REFLECT2D ONWARD Adolescent Body Composition and GLP-1 Use
Training
Fellowships
2018: Pediatric Endocrinology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
2018: Healthcare Improvement and Patient Safety, Center for Healthcare Improvement and Patient Safety, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Residency
2015: Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Internship
2013: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Education
Master of Science in Health Policy (MSHP)
2018: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
2012: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (Alpha Omega Alpha)
Bachelor of Science (BS)
2008: Johns Hopkins University
Major: Biomedical Engineering (Tau Beta Pi)
Board Certification:
General Pediatrics (ABP 2015)
Pediatric Endocrinology (ABP 2019)
Obesity Medicine (ABOM 2024)
Schedule an appointment
Call 412-692-5170 or click here
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
4401 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224