Kopp Lab Staff

Benjamin Kopp, MD, MPH
Principal Investigator
Benjamin.Kopp@NationwideChildrens.org

Benjamin Kopp, MD, MPH, graduated from Ohio State University School of Medicine and received his MPH from Ohio State University College of Public Health. He completed pediatrics residency and a pediatric pulmonology fellowship at Nationwide Children’s Hospital before serving on the faculty from 2012-2022. In 2022, Dr. Kopp moved to Atlanta to become the Director of the Pulmonary Sickle Cell Program and Director of Pulmonary and Sleep Physician Research at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Co-Director of the Cystic Fibrosis and Airway Disease (CF-AIR) Research Center and Co-Director of the Pediatric Residency Investigative Scholars at Emory (PRISE).

In 2026, Dr. Kopp returned to Nationwide Children's as Division Chief. Dr. Kopp’s vision as new Pulmonary Division Chief utilizes this multi-faceted background in clinical care, research, advocacy and administrative service to empower colleagues to challenge dogma and enact innovative change while identifying young trainees and faculty of all backgrounds to continue to build an inclusive leadership and community structure. Utilization of technologic innovations in research, clinical care, education, communication and training are critical to continued divisional growth.

Chris Harding, PhD
Research Scientist
Chris.Harding@NationwideChildrens.org

Dr. Harding is a microbiologist focused on host–microbe interactions, with a particular interest in how innate immune cells respond to bacterial infections. His research examines how pathogen-associated factors and host-derived molecules shape the recognition, uptake and antimicrobial functions of phagocytes. His previous work focused on understanding how Plasmodium infection impairs innate immunity to bacterial co-infections and characterizing the functions and drug susceptibility of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) secretion system and neutrophil responses to Mtb and other species of Mycobacteria. Currently, his research will focus on LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) in macrophages, specifically how defects in this pathway in cystic fibrosis impact bacterial clearance and contribute to chronic pulmonary infections.

In his free time, Dr. Harding enjoys playing music, backpacking and snowboarding.

Irina Miralda, PhD
Senior Research Scientist
Irina.Miraldamolina@NationwideChildrens.org

Dr. Miralda is an immunologist and microbiologist with over a decade of experience investigating how innate immune dysfunction drives chronic disease. She earned her PhD from the University of Louisville, where her research focused on neutrophil responses to the emerging oral pathogen Filifactor alocis. She then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, studying mast cell biology in allergic and infectious diseases, followed by additional postdoctoral training in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) at Emory University.

Now a senior research scientist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Dr. Miralda investigates the critical but underappreciated role of mast cells in CF disease and aims to identify immune functions and pathways that remain dysregulated despite modulator therapies. Her research aims to inform adjunctive treatments to reduce inflammation and improve quality of life for individuals with CF.

Beyond the bench, Dr. Miralda is a passionate advocate for science communication and mentorship, contributing as an editor, presenter and educator committed to supporting the next generation of scientists.