Research in the Brian Garibaldi Lab focuses on acute lung injury (ALI) resolution. Recently, we evaluated the mechanisms underlying mobility therapy and found that therapeutic exercise reduces neutrophilic lung injury and skeletal muscle wasting in ALI mice.

The Charles Wiener Lab primarily conducts research on pulmonary circulation and hypoxia as well as respiratory muscle function in patients with neuromuscular diseases. Our recent studies have included investigating the treatment of pericardial effusions in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and examining the use of non-invasive ventilation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We also have an interest in medical education research. Our work in this area has included reviewing the role of academic medical centers in emerging health care markets.

Research efforts in the Edward Chen Lab focus on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and granulomatous inflammation as well as clinical and translational studies in sarcoidosis. Our studies have included topics such as the etiologies of sarcoidosis, hylleraas hydride binding energy in diatomic electron affinities, and molecular convergence of neurodevelopmental disorders. We have also investigated the use of quantitative mass spectrometric analysis to better understand the mechanisms of phospho-priming and auto-activation of the checkpoint kinase Rad53 in vivo.

Work in the Enid Neptune Lab focuses on topics within the fields of pulmonary and critical care medicine. Our research centers primarily on therapeutic strategies for Marfan syndrome and hepatocyte growth factor signaling in airspace homeostasis. We also conduct research on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with a focus on its mechanisms and potential methods for preventing its progression. Our research within critical care has most recently involved investigating superoxide dismutase 3 dysregulation in neonatal lung injuries.

Research in the Eric McCollum Lab focuses on pediatric pulmonary medicine, particularly pulmonary diseases among children in undeveloped, low-resource countries. We are taking part in the IMPACT trial, which looks at the impact of bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) on the mortality of Malawian children with pneumonia.

The Franco D’Alessio Lab investigates key topics within the fields of critical care, internal and pulmonary medicine. We primarily explore immunological determinants of acute lung inflammation and repair. Our lab also investigates age-dependent lung immune response in patients with acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), regulatory T-cells in lung injury and repair, and modulation of alveolar macrophage innate immune response in ARDS.

Research in the Henry Fessler Lab is focused on pulmonary medicine. We are interested in heart-lung interaction, mechanical ventilation and lung mechanics. We’re also interested in medical education and recently examined contemporary strategies for effective lecturing.

Research in the James Sham Lab focuses on pulmonary arteries. Studies include local calcium signaling in the pulmonary arteries and transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells. We’re also interested in calcium regulation in chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.

The Jonathan Jun Lab studies the function of lipolysis in intermittent hypoxia-induced insulin resistance.

Research in the Jonathan Orens Lab examines topics such as clinical outcomes of lung transplantation, chronic allograft rejection and ischemic reperfusion injury, also known as primary graft dysfunction.

Research in the Larissa Shimoda Lab focuses on several important topics within pulmonary and critical care medicine. We primarily study pulmonary arterial responses to chronic hypoxia as well as hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and oxidant-mediated lung injury. Our recent research has included investigating the effects of chronic hypoxia on pulmonary circulation and the ways in which hypoxia-inducible factors impact pulmonary vascular responses to hypoxia. We have also studied vascular remodeling in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Research in the Mark Liu Lab explores several areas of pulmonary and respiratory medicine. Our studies primarily deal with allergic inflammation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, specifically immunologic responses to asthma. We have worked to develop a microfluidic device with integrated ratiometric oxygen sensors to enable long-term control and monitoring of both chronic and cyclical hypoxia. In addition, we conduct research on topics such as the use of magnetic resonance angiography in evaluating intracranial vascular lesions and tumors as well as treatment of osteoporosis by deep sea water through bone regeneration.

Research in the Noah Lechtzin Lab investigates several important aspects of cystic fibrosis (CF), including the impact of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections in CF patients and new therapy options for individuals with CF. Our research into new CF therapies has included studies on home electronic symptom and lung function monitoring, transbronchial needle aspiration and bedside percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement. We also explore the role of metabolic complications in CF patients by examining how the disease is impacted by factors such as vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis and testosterone deficiency.

The Outcomes After Critical Illness and Surgery Group is focused on understanding and improving patient outcomes after critical illness and surgery. Research projects include improving long-term outcomes research for acute respiratory distress syndrome/acute respiratory failure (ARDS/ARF) patients; examining the long-term outcomes for acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) patients; and evaluating the effects of lower tidal volume ventilation and other aspects of critical illness and ICU care on the long-term physical and mental health outcomes of ALI/ARDS patients.

Research in the Pali Shah Lab focuses on lung transplants. Specifically, we’re interested in chronic rejection and quality and safety as they relate to lung transplants.

Work in the Rachel Damico Lab explores topics within the fields of vascular biology and pulmonary medicine, with a focus on acute lung injury and apoptosis in lung diseases. Our studies have included examining idiopathic and scleroderma-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension, vascular receptor autoantibodies, and the link between inflammation and the Warburg phenomenon in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. We have also researched the inhibitory factor of macrophage migration and its governing of endothelial cell sensitivity to LPS-induced apoptosis.

The Robert Wise Lab conducts clinical trials to study chronic obstructive lung diseases (COPD). We investigate inhaled corticosteroids in patients with mild to moderate COPD and the effectiveness of anti-inflammatories in allowing lung growth in mild to moderate asthmatic children. Our research includes exploring the efficacy of various treatments for asthmatic women who are pregnant and of lung-volume reduction surgery for emphysema patients. We also conduct studies of the clinical epidemiology, pathobiology and treatment of interstitial lung disease in patients with scleroderma.

xResearch in the Shyam Biswal Lab focuses on therapeutic resistance of cancer due to a gain-of-function mutation in transcription factor Nrf2. Using patient-derived xenografts in humanized immunocompetent mice and GEM models, we aim to understand the mechanisms of oncogenic cooperation and metabolic adaptation in cancer cells. We’re also investigating the systemic and pulmonary effects of air pollution as well as the health effects of recent tobacco products, such as electronic cigarettes and water pipes.

The Stephen Mathai Lab focuses its research on pulmonary medicine. We're particularly interested in scleroderma-associated pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary complications of connective tissue disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension.

We are interested in basic and translational studies looking at the effects of environmental exposures, including cigarette smoke and electronic cigarettes, on lung epithelial function. We are focused on mechanisms to reverse injury to promote lung health, primarily in the context of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).