About

James Schneider is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. He serves as the Director of Facilities, IT, and Safety within the department. His research and professional focus include chemical engineering principles, safety protocols, and departmental management, contributing to the development of safe and efficient chemical engineering practices. His role encompasses overseeing departmental facilities and safety measures, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and supporting the department's operational infrastructure.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Intensive care medicine
• Immunology
• Virology
• Internal medicine

Selected publications

• 40-Year-Old Male with Medial Gastrocnemius Tear after Adderall (Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine) Use: A Case Report

  Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports · 2026-01-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Introduction: Gastrocnemius tears most commonly occur after a forceful eccentric contraction of the muscle. Adderall (i.e., amphetamine/dextroamphetamine), a commonly prescribed medication in the United States, has been proven to have many adverse effects. However, this is the first report demonstrating a potential musculoskeletal side effect of Adderall. Case Report: A 40-year-old male sustained an atraumatic medial gastrocnemius tear after taking Adderall. The patient presented with calf pain, swelling, and ecchymosis after having severe, sustained muscle spasms. He was found to have exquisite tenderness over the medial head of the gastrocnemius, worse with ankle dorsiflexion and knee extension. The Thompson test and deep vein thrombosis ultrasound were negative. He was diagnosed clinically with a tear of the medial head of the gastrocnemius. Adderall was discontinued, and he was treated conservatively with full resolution of symptoms. Conclusion: The case highlights the potential for Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) to predispose patients to musculoskeletal injuries such as gastrocnemius tears, a phenomenon not previously described in the literature.

  PublisherDOI

• Overcoming the Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infection Plateau through Proactive Safety Methodologies: A Quality Improvement Project

  Pediatric Quality and Safety · 2025-08-01

  articleOpen access

  Introduction: Using traditional methodologies, we have decreased central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates significantly. However, many organizations have hit a plateau. To reframe our approach to CLABSI, we tested out proactive safety methodologies based on the following principles: (1) safety is not just the absence of harm, but the presence of safeguards; (2) things go right because of a system’s ability to flex and adapt to various conditions; and (3) to advance safety, we must learn from everyday events and from work as done versus work as imagined. Methods: To test proactive safety methodologies, we focused on 4 pillars: We reviewed 6 years of cases to identify common themes including patient-related, environment, and line-specific factors. Using this information, we developed a high-risk bundle to augment our standard bundle elements.1 By packaging high-risk interventions with standard bundle elements into a single bundle, we provided frontline teams with clear, evidence-based steps to mitigate known risks before an infection develops. We developed a frontline champion group to proactively identify risks in real time, using principles of proactive safety, including “monitor, anticipate, respond, learn,” “work as done versus work as imagined,” and language for psychological safety. CLABSI champions were trained to audit the standard and high-risk bundles and to proactively identify risks to bundle adherence in real time.2,3 Chat groups linked unit-based teams to experts to rapidly escalate any anticipated breaks in bundle reliability and to initiate proactive safety huddles to create patient-specific plans. Proactive safety huddles were incorporated into our CLABSI prevention guidelines with specific guidance on who to invite, what to discuss, and how to document each huddle. We reframed CLABSI root cause analyses into critical event learning huddles, which incorporate language for psychological safety into opportunities for shared learning. These are leadership-hosted, frontline-driven, and action-oriented meetings to translate observations from the front line into specific system improvements. Real-time dashboards were created to monitor central line usage, bundle reliability, and anticipate any opportunities for intervention. These dashboards include data directly from the electronic medical recor to display bundle adherence for each patient with a central line on each unit. Leaders tested out various processes to monitor this dashboard and intervene with frontline teams to create patient-specific plans. Results: CLABSI rates decreased 42% from 1.11 to 0.46 CLABSI per 1,000 central line patient days (Fig. 1). Average days between events were 15 days with special cause variation shifting the centerline to 50 days in 2023. Adherence to the maintenance bundle shifted from 88.6% to 76.9%, signifying a shift from measuring work as imagined versus work as done. Adherence to the high-risk bundle was sustained near 90% once bundle observations were initiated (Fig. 2).Fig. 1.: CLABSI rates 2020–2025: U-chart of CLABSI per 1000 central line patient days. CCMC indicates cohen children’s medical center; MBI, mucosal barrier infectionFig. 2.: High-risk bundle reliability: p-chart of compliant bundles per total bundles reviewed.Conclusions: Leadership shifting from thinking about safety as the absence of events to the presence of safeguards builds the adaptive capacity of our system, emphasizing resiliency even with a changing landscape and team engagement. Small tests of proactive change can impact culture, but learning from the front line and building adaptive capacity in a system. This model can be used for other HACs and safety domains.

  PublisherDOI

• Long‐Read, High‐Resolution Sanger Sequencing by Micelle‐Tagging Electrophoresis

  Electrophoresis · 2025-10-21

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  We demonstrate a gel-free electrophoretic separation of Sanger sequencing fragments up to 782 bases in length using nonionic wormlike micelles as drag-tags in micelle-tagging electrophoresis (MTE). This is an increase of 280 bases over previous MTE methods and a nearly three-fold improvement over end-labeled free-solution electrophoresis (ELFSE) methods that use covalently attached drag-tags. For MTE, C18 alkane groups are attached to primers prior to their enzymatic extension. This alkane group provides a binding site for wormlike micelles composed of CiEj-type nonionic surfactants in the running buffer. Transient attachment of micelles to the C18 alkane group provides a highly uniform drag, equal to that of an ssDNA fragment 309 bases long. To account for slight mobility differences among the BigDye chain terminators, we developed a two-parameter time-shifting procedure to align the electropherograms for each termination chemistry. The increase in read length for this low-viscosity buffer (2.1 cP) is attributed to the alignment procedure, the large yet uniform drag, and the small degree of adsorption-based band broadening.

  PublisherDOI

• Perioperative Considerations in Patients With Rett Syndrome as Compared With Those With Cerebral Palsy

  Spine · 2024-11-06

  articleSenior author

  STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare perioperative outcomes of Rett syndrome (RS) and cerebral palsy (CP) patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion for neuromuscular scoliosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Surgical correction in the treatment of scoliosis for patients with RS has been shown to increase the survival rate. CP patients, like RS patients, are often nonverbal and nonambulatory, with frequent surgical complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 36 RS and 80 CP patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion from 2005 to 2023. Data and x-ray measurements were collected preoperatively and postoperatively. A subanalysis was performed comparing nonambulatory patients (GMFCS IV-V). The Wilcoxon-Rank Sum, Fisher exact, and χ 2 tests were utilized. RESULTS: The primary outcome measure, complication rates, was similar between the groups ( P =0.09). Preoperative Cobb angle, levels fused, fixation points, and LOS were similar ( P >0.05). EBL was significantly higher in CP patients, as was the rate of transfusion ( P =0.001) and surgical time ( P =0.001). Postoperative Cobb angle ( P =0.002) was significantly higher for CP patients. There was no significant difference between CP and RS patients in both preoperative ( P =0.383) and postoperative ( P =0.051) coronal decompensation. Nonambulatory status was associated with increased odds of having a postoperative complication (OR=6.17, 95% CI=1.36-28.04). Subanalysis of nonambulatory RS and CP patients revealed significantly higher postoperative Cobb ( P =0.008), EBL ( P =0.019), and surgical time ( P =0.017) in CP patients compared with RS patients. There were no significant differences in preoperative Cobb, levels fused, fixation points, hospital stay, or complication rate ( P >0.05). CONCLUSION: RS patients are shown to have better outcomes than CP patients in terms of surgical, perioperative, and radiographic variables. Ambulatory status was identified as an independent risk factor for complications.

  PublisherDOI

• Autophagy and Akt‐Stimulated Cellular Proliferation Synergistically Improve Antibody Production in CHO Cells

  Biotechnology Journal · 2024-11-01 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  ABSTRACT Over the past decade, engineered producer cell lines have led 10‐fold increases in antibody yield, based on an improved understanding of the cellular machinery influencing cell health and protein production. With prospects for further production improvements, increased antibody production would enable a significant cost reduction for life‐saving therapies. In this study, we strategized methods to increase cell viability and the resulting cell culture duration to improve production lifetimes. By overexpressing the cell surface adenosine A 2A receptor (A 2A R), the Akt pathway was activated, resulting in improved cellular proliferation. Alternatively, by inducing autophagy through temperature downshift, we were able to significantly enhance cellular‐specific productivity, with up to a three‐fold increase in total antibody production as well as three‐fold higher cell‐specific productivity. Interestingly, the expression levels of the autophagy pathway protein Beclin‐1 appeared to correlate best with the total antibody production, of autophagy‐related proteins examined. Thus, during cell clonal development Beclin‐1 levels may serve as a marker to screen for conditions that optimize antibody titer.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Electrophoretically Snagging Viral Genomes in Wormlike Micelle Networks Using Peptide Nucleic Acid Amphiphiles and dsDNA Oligomers

  Biomacromolecules · 2024-07-17 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  We demonstrate that the attachment of 30-170 bp dsDNA oligomers to ssDNA viral genomes gives a significant additional mobility shift in micelle-tagging electrophoresis (MTE). In MTE, a modified peptide nucleic acid amphiphile is attached to the viral genome to bind drag-inducing micelles present in capillary electrophoresis running buffers. Further attachment of 30-170 bp dsDNA oligomers drastically shifts the mobility of the 5.1 kB ssDNA genome of mouse minute virus (MMV), providing a new mechanism to improve resolution in CE-based analysis of kilobase nucleic acids. A model based on biased-reptation electrophoresis, end-labeled free-solution electrophoresis, and Ferguson gel-filtration theory is presented to describe the observed mobility shifts.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• 1315: ALTERED RENAL BLOOD FLOW AND RENIN CORRELATE WITH PRESENCE AND PERSISTENCE OF AKI IN PEDIATRIC SHOCK

  Critical Care Medicine · 2023-12-14

  article

  Introduction: Up to 25% of PICU patients develop acute kidney injury (AKI), which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Prior studies demonstrated alterations in renal blood flow (RBF) and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS) in AKI. Power doppler (PDU), which quantifies blood flow (higher score = more blood flow), and renal resistive index (RRI), which reflects regional vascular resistance (normal < 0.70), can be assessed via point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). We hypothesize that RBF and RAS alterations will correlate with presence and/or persistence of AKI in pediatric shock. Methods: This prospective observational cohort study enrolled July 2020-Jan 2022. Patients requiring fluid resuscitation (>=1 bolus) or vasoactive support were enrolled within 48hrs of PICU admission. Renal POCUS was performed on Days 1 and 3; serum was collected on Day 1. RRI, PDU scores, clinical and lab data were recorded. Pre-admission baseline creatinine (Cr) was collected; if unavailable, a normal GFR was assumed and baseline Cr was calculated with the revised Schwartz equation. KDIGO criteria were used to define presence of AKI. T-test with Satterthwaite approximation was performed to identify differences between groups. Multivariate analysis adjusted for baseline Cr, vasoactive inotrope score (VIS), and age. Results: Fifty patients met inclusion criteria: 20 patients had AKI on Day 1. Median Day 1 RRI was higher (0.78 vs 0.67, p=0.001) and median PDU was lower (1.6 vs 2.4, p=0.017) in patients with AKI. Patients with Day 1 AKI had higher Day 3 RRI (p=0.025). Day 1 renin (pg/mL) and aldosterone (pg/mL) were higher in the AKI group (2784 vs 1246, p=0.003 and 322 vs 152, p=0.007). No difference was found in the renin:aldosterone ratio. On multivariate analysis, Day 1 RRI correlated with higher Day 3 Cr. Day 1 renin correlated with higher Day 3 Cr and Day 3 VIS. Conclusions: Admission RRI and PDU correlate with the presence of AKI in pediatric shock. Early abnormalities in RBF correlate with AKI on Day 3. Early increased renin correlates with higher Day 3 vasoactive needs. There was no correlation between renin:aldosterone and AKI, which is different from published adult data. POCUS-measured RBF and renin may be useful in predicting persistent AKI in pediatric shock.

  PublisherDOI

• Factors Associated With Post-Extubation Stridor in Infants Intubated in the Pediatric ICU

  Journal of Intensive Care Medicine · 2023-10-03 · 1 citations

  article

  Background Post-extubation stridor (PES) is a common problem in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and is associated with extubation failure, longer length of stay, and increased mortality. Infants represent a large proportion of PICU admissions and are at higher risk for PES, making identification and mitigation of factors associated with PES important in this age group. Research Question What factors are associated with PES in infants (age less than 1 year) intubated in the PICU? Study Design &amp; Methods The primary outcome was PES as defined by the need for racemic epinephrine within 6 h of extubation. Secondary outcomes were heliox administration and reintubation. Statistical analyses were performed with Fisher's exact test for univariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression. Results 518 patient charts were retrospectively reviewed. 24.1% of patients developed PES. Duration of mechanical ventilation greater than 48 h was associated with increased risk of PES (odds ratio [OR] = 1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-2.71, P = .01), as was nonelective intubation (OR = 2.92, 95% CI 1.91-4.46, P &lt; .01). The presence of a cuff, gastroesophageal reflux disease, prematurity, and known upper airway abnormality had no association with PES. 4.0 endotracheal tubes (ETTs) had an increased association with PES compared to 3.5 ETTs (OR = 1.96, 95% CI 1.18-3.27, P &lt; .01). There was no difference in risk of PES between 3.5 and 3.0 ETTs. Interpretation In infants intubated in the PICU, mechanical ventilation greater than 48 h and nonelective intubation were associated with PES. 4.0 ETTs were associated with higher risk of PES compared to 3.5 ETTs. These findings may help providers in ETT selection and to identify infants that may be at increased risk of PES.

  PublisherDOI

• Rosmarinic acid enhances CHO cell productivity and proliferation through activation of the unfolded protein response and the mTOR pathway

  Biotechnology Journal · 2023-10-28 · 8 citations

  articleOpen access

  Rosmarinic acid (RA) has gained attraction in bioprocessing as a media supplement to improve cellular proliferation and protein production. Here, we observe up to a two-fold increase in antibody production with RA-supplementation, and a concentration-dependent effect of RA on cell proliferation for fed-batch Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell cultures. Contrary to previously reported antioxidant activity, RA increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, stimulated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, activated the unfolded protein response (UPR), and elicited DNA damage. Despite such stressful events, RA appeared to maintained cell health via mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway activation; both mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2) were stimulated in RA-supplemented cultures. By reversing such mTOR pathway activity through either chemical inhibitor addition or siRNA knockdown of genes regulating the mTORC1 and mTORC2 complexes, antibody production, UPR signaling, and stress-induced DNA damage were reduced. Further, the proliferative effect of RA appeared to be regulated selectively by mTORC2 activation and have reproduced this observation by using the mTORC2 stimulator SC-79. Analogously, knockdown of mTORC2 strongly reduced X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) splicing, which would be expected to reduce antibody folding and secretion, sugging that reduced mTORC2 would correlate with reduced antibody levels. The crosstalk between mTOR activation and UPR upregulation may thus be related directly to the enhanced productivity. Our results show the importance of the mTOR and UPR pathways in increasing antibody productivity, and suggest that RA supplementation may obviate the need for labor-intensive genetic engineering by directly activating pathways favorable to cell culture performance.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Use of single analytic tool to quantify both absolute N‐glycosylation and glycan distribution in monoclonal antibodies

  Biotechnology Progress · 2023-05-23 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Recombinant proteins represent almost half of the top selling therapeutics-with over a hundred billion dollars in global sales-and their efficacy and safety strongly depend on glycosylation. In this study, we showcase a simple method to simultaneously analyze N-glycan micro- and macroheterogeneity of an immunoglobulin G (IgG) by quantifying glycan occupancy and distribution. Our approach is linear over a wide range of glycan and glycoprotein concentrations down to 25 ng/mL. Additionally, we present a case study demonstrating the effect of small molecule metabolic regulators on glycan heterogeneity using this approach. In particular, sodium oxamate (SOD) decreased Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) glucose metabolism and reduced IgG glycosylation by 40% through upregulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reducing the UDP-GlcNAc pool, while maintaining a similar glycan profile to control cultures. Here, we suggest glycan macroheterogeneity as an attribute should be included in bioprocess screening to identify process parameters that optimize culture performance without compromising antibody quality.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• UNS: Mechanisms of Surface Charging in Nonpolar Media

  NSF · $355k · 2015–2019

• Rapid Electrophoretic Sorting of DNA using Nanoemulsion Tags

  NSF · $330k · 2009–2012

• CAREER: Aqueous Two-Phase Separation of DNA Using PNA-Conjugated Amphiphiles

  NSF · $392k · 2001–2007

Frequent coauthors

• Todd Sweberg

  Cohen Children's Medical Center

  48 shared

• Robinder G. Khemani

  38 shared

• Sareen Shah

  Cohen Children's Medical Center

  24 shared

• Matthew Taylor

  University of Rochester Medical Center

  22 shared

• Charles L. Schleien

  Cohen Children's Medical Center

  22 shared

• Deirdre Lewis

  Cohen Children's Medical Center

  21 shared

• Grace Fisler

  Northwell Health

  21 shared

• Christine A. Capone

  20 shared

Education

• Ph.D., Chemical Engineering

  University of Minnesota

  1998

• B.S., Chemical Engineering

  University of Wisconsin

  1992

Awards & honors

• NSF CAREER Award (2001)
• Beckman Young Investigator Award (2002)
• Kun Li Award for Excellence in Education (2005)
• Kun Li Award for Excellence in Education (2012)
• Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological…