Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research

Home
United States
Chicago, IL
Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research, Medical Research Center, 750 N. Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL.

CFAAR part of the Institute for Public Health and Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, finds answers and shapes policies surrounding food allergy, asthma and other allergic conditions.

02/26/2026

Food allergy prevention, treatment, and access took center stage at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Expert Panel on Food Allergies and CFAAR was proud to be part of the national conversation.

CFAAR’s Dr. Ruchi Gupta joined leading clinicians and federal experts to discuss advancing prevention strategies, improving transparency, and expanding equitable access to care for the more than 33 million Americans living with food allergies. Thank you Dr. Marty Makary, Dr Richard Iorio and Dr. Gideon Lack for leading the panel and all the amazing speakers.

🎥 Watch the full recording on the FDA’s YouTube Channel. Watch, share, and join us in shaping the future of food allergy policy and patient care.

02/25/2026

We are incredibly excited and deeply honored to share that Ruchi Gupta, MD, MPH, is officially joining the Elijah-Alavi Foundation as part of our Medical Advisory Team, and we are proud to be working alongside her and her incredible team.

Dr. Gupta is a nationally recognized leader in food allergy and asthma research, policy, and public health. Her groundbreaking work has transformed how we understand the prevalence, burden, and lived experience of food allergies in America. She has helped shape national conversations, guided policy, and elevated the voices of families navigating this journey every day.

To have her expertise, wisdom, and heart aligned with our mission is truly meaningful. She brings not only scientific excellence, but also a deep commitment to equity, access, and improving outcomes for underserved communities. That alignment matters to us.

At the Elijah-Alavi Foundation, we believe advocacy must be rooted in evidence, compassion, and action. With Dr. Gupta and her team on board, we strengthen our commitment to advancing education, policy, and life-saving awareness for families across the country.

We are beyond grateful for her partnership and belief in our mission. Together, we move the needle forward.

Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research
Dr. Ruchi S Gupta

02/24/2026

CFAAR's Dr. Ruchi S Gupta has been invited to serve as a panelist on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Expert Panel on Food Allergies taking place on Wednesday, February 25, from 1–3pm ET (12–2pm CT).

This national panel brings together leading clinicians, researchers, and federal experts to discuss the current landscape of food allergy science, policy, and patient care. The session will be live-streamed on the FDA’s YouTube channel! U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Event Details & Livestream Link: https://www.fda.gov/patients/fda-expert-panels/fda-expert-panel-food-allergies-02252026

Tune in tomorrow to hear insights from national leaders shaping the future of food allergy research and regulation.

02/23/2026

Big news on allergen food labels. The FDA held a pivotal public meeting this week on the subject of moving to a system of consistent precautionary (aka 'may contain') food labels based on allergen thresholds. Our must-read full report is here: https://www.allergicliving.com/2026/02/20/fda-weighs-moving-food-allergen-warnings-to-thresholds-system/

What was discussed:
• Trouble with the current warnings: voluntary system, amount of allergen may be more than trace. Also not all food makers use, while others apply too broadly.
• Science has come a long way on allergy population data on how much individuals can tolerate before reacting.
• That the proposed new system would be a "mindset change' for those avoiding top allergens. People will need much education to gain confidence in a new system - even though the current one is very flawed.

What are your thoughts on the topic after reading our writeup?

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology U.S. Food and Drug Administration The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team, FAACT Food Allergy Research & Education Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) Center for Food Safety No Nut Traveler Zachary Rubin, MD AllergyStrong Elijah-Alavi Foundation Gratefulfoodie Allergy Moms with Gina Clowes

02/23/2026

It’s not just a fear of the reaction, it’s the fear of the “social spotlight.” In a recent Healio publication Dr. Melissa Engel from CFAAR and explores “FA-related social anxiety.” Dr. Engel brings a unique perspective to this research. She highlights that many young people fear negative social evaluation, like appearing “difficult” at a restaurant or “different” for bringing their own food. Without support, this anxiety can lead to missed social opportunities or even risky management behaviors. Read the full article: https://www.healio.com/news/psychiatry/20251223/fears-of-negative-social-evaluation-common-among-youth-with-food-allergy

02/19/2026

On this episode of Real Talk with Dr. Ruchi, Dr. Ruchi sits down with Francesca Cornelli, Dean of Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, to discuss the grit behind entrepreneurial success.

Dean Cornelli highlights a vital truth: success isn’t just a great idea, it’s about the resilience to handle the lows and the preparation to meet the highs.

✅ Key Takeaways:

The Recipe for Success: What it truly takes to build.
The Resilience Factor: Why your “bounce-back” is your best asset.
Founder Pitfalls: Common downfalls to avoid.
Staying Prepared: How to stay one step ahead.

🌟 The goal? Resilience, preparedness, and a clear path. Watch now! 🎥

02/16/2026

Dr. Ruchi Gupta along with her Northwestern University colleague, Dr. Peter Lio, were among the coauthors of the narrative review, “Atopic Comorbidities and Topical Steroids in Early Childhood Atopic Dermatitis: Are We Missing a Piece of the Puzzle?”

Topical corticosteroids (TCS) are effective in controlling the visible symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD), but do not fully suppress key “type-2” allergy-related immune signals in infant skin. These persistent immune pathways may explain why some children with early-onset AD remain at higher risk for food allergies, asthma, and other atopic conditions.

One of the interesting findings highlighted in the review,

“Over 16 weeks, children aged 6 months to 5 years treated with dupilumab and TCS show a 70% reduction in IgE levels, whereas those treated with TCS alone exhibit a 30% increase in IgE levels.”

The authors emphasize that additional research is needed to determine how current and emerging treatments, including topical treatments as well as immune targeting biologics, may affect comorbidities such as food allergies and other atopic conditions.

➡️Read the full article: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12016-025-09131-5

02/13/2026

It was wonderful to have our first CFAAR team meeting of 2026! We were especially excited to reconnect with Justin one of our very first interns over 10 years ago. From being an intern at CFAAR to now almost graduating medical school and on to the next chapter of a pediatrics residency, it’s been incredible to watch his journey come full circle.

So grateful to celebrate the growth of our team and the positive impact we continue to make together. 💜

02/12/2026

On this episode of Real Talk with Ruchi, Dr. Ruchi sits down with Dr. Chase Schuler from the University of Michigan to explore how the mouth, gut, and skin are all connected when it comes to food allergies. 🥜

Dr. Schuler breaks down the powerful connection between these systems and what actually happens inside the body during a food allergy reaction or anaphylaxis. From early warning signs to full-body responses, he explains how understanding this connection can lead to faster recognition, better treatment, and improved outcomes.

✅The goal? Knowledge, preparedness, and empowering families to act with confidence. Tune in now!

CFAAR

02/05/2026

Our team on the move, dropping off samples at the lab and keeping the research going 💜

02/05/2026

On this episode of Real Talk with Ruchi, Dr. Ruchi sits down with , Dr. Dave Stukus, to discuss why individualized plans are the gold standard of care.
Dr. Stukus highlights a vital truth for allergy parents: every child is different, but treatment and support are available regardless of how “severe” the allergy may seem. It’s about moving past fear and into a plan that fits your child’s specific needs.

✅ Highlights from the conversation:

Why “individualized” is better than “universal.”
Navigating treatment options at every severity level.
How to have the right conversation with your allergist.

🌟The goal? Safety, confidence, and a better quality of life. Tune in now! 🎧

02/04/2026

Tune in NOW! Food allergy diagnosis and management can vary throughout the patient’s lifespan. Join us on Wednesday, February 4, at 12:00 p.m. ET, for an educational webinar as expert speakers Ruchi Gupta, MD, MPH, and Gary Falcetano, PA-C, AE-C, walk through how food allergy diagnostics evolve from childhood through adulthood.

Register here: https://bit.ly/4aj8cVt

This FARE webinar is in partnership with

Address

750 N. Lakeshore Drive
Chicago, IL
60611

Website

https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/cfaar/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Chicago?