Developed research hypotheses, designed studies, applied for extramural support and managed the regulatory, data collection and research-related clinical trials. Planning and development of phase II, III and translational research clinical trials. Study sickle cell related psychosocial issues, pulmonary hypertension, drug development and pregnancy and obstetric outcomes.
Provided longitudinal and comprehensive care to patients with benign hematological disorders, specially those with congenital hemoglobinopathies such as Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia. Experience in planning, designing and implementing protocols targeting quality improvement interventions, with emphasis on individualized pain management protocols.
Actively involved in teaching, training and mentoring students at different stages of their academic and scientific career but especially pre-med, medical students, interns, residents, fellows and graduate science students. Have been a career mentor for the last 5 yrs. to recipients of the American Society of Hematology “Minority Medical Student Award Program (MMSAP) grant award.
- MD, Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 1986
- PhD, University of South Carolina, 1990
- Resident, Internal Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein School of Medicine, 1985
- Fellow, Hematology/Oncology, Yale University, 1998
- Master in Clinical Research, Duke University Medical Center, 2014
Education & Training
Jonassaint CR, Shah N, Jonassaint J, DeCastro L. Usability and Feasibility of an mHealth Intervention for Monitoring and Managing Pain Symptoms in Sickle Cell Disease: The Sickle Cell Disease Mobile Application to Record Symptoms via Technology (SMART). Hemoglobin. 2015; 1-7.
Shah N, Jonassaint J, DeCastro L, Hemoglobin. Patients welcome the Sickle Cell Disease Mobile Application to Record Symptoms via Technology (SMART). Hemoglobin. 2014; 38(2): 99-103.
Royal CD, Jonassaint CR, Jonassaint JC, DeCastro LM. Living with sickle cell disease: traversing 'race' and identity. Ethnicity & Health. 2011; 16(4-5): 389-404.
Jonassaint CR, Jonassain JC, Stanton MV, DeCastro LM, Royal CD. Clinical and sociodemographic factors predict coping styles among adults with sickle cell disease. Journal of the National Medical Association. 2010; 102(11): 1045-9.
Edwards CL, Raynor RD, Feliu M, McDougald C, Johnson S. Neuropsychological assessment, neuroimaging, and neuropsychiatric evaluation in pediatric and adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment. 2007; 3(6): 705-9.
Edwards CL, Killough A, Wood M, Doyle T, Feliu M, DeCastro L. Emotional reactions to pain predict psychological distress in adult patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine. 2014; 47(1): 1-16.
DeCastro LM, Zeennadi R, Jonassaint JC, Batchvarova M, Telen MJ. Effect of propranolol as antiadhesive therapy in sickle cell disease. Clinical Trials Science. 2012; 5(6): 437-44.
Wun T, Styles L, DeCastro L, Telen MJ, Kuypers F. Phase 1 study of the E-selectin inhibitor GMI 1070 in patients with sickle cell anemia. Pl9S one. 2014; 9(7): e101301.
Telen MJ, Wun T, McCavit TL, DeCastro LM, Krishnamurti L. Randomized phase 2 study of GMI-1070 in SCD: reduction in time to resolution of vaso-occlusive events and decreased opioid use. Blood. 2015; 125(17: 2656-64.
- Honor for Scholastic Excellence, School of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo, 1986
- The International Society for Antiviral Research, Travel Award, 1990
- Scholar, NHLBI Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center Program, 2003-2008
- Fellow, Functional Genomics of Blood Disorders, Summer Institute Program to increase Diversity (SIPID, NHLBI, 2008-2010)
- Duke Diversity Award, 2009
- Duke Chancellor's Clinical Leadership in Academic Medicine Program, 2011
- Duke's Strength, Hope and Caring Team Award, 2011
