Pulmonology Research

We see children in our specialty clinics day in and day out living with cystic fibrosis as well as high-risk asthma, primary ciliary dyskinesia and chronic ventilation. Our researchers work to find the best therapies and cures for children with these conditions.

Our Research

• Host-pathogen interactions in special populations with underlying chronic lung disease
• Immuno- and patho-biology of allergic hosts during respiratory infections (influenza virus and pneumococci), the role of antimicrobial peptides at the air-lung interphase and eosinophil development and function in health and disease
• Duchenne muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis (CF) and asthma
• Basic and translational CF studies:
  • Characterization of an inhibitory protein complex for CF therapy
  • Characterization of novel CF mutations
  • Roles of CF transmembrane conductance regulator-containing protein complexes in fluid secretion and inflammatory responses in gastrointestinal systems
• Proximity to local CF care center as a predictor of overall access to health care and positive health outcomes
• Sleep disturbances and obesity
• Screening tools and management for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and management for obstructive sleep apnea
• Primary ciliary dyskinesia, CF quality improvement and aerodigestive diseases

Clinical Trials

If you are interested in participating in a pulmonology clinical trial, please view our list of current and active trials.

Recent Publications

• "COVID-19 and Dysphagia in Children: A Review" Dysphagia
• "The Effects of Cardio-Selective β Blockade on Diastolic Dysfunction in Children with Sickle Cell Disease" Haematologica 
• "Use of VOTE Score in Predicting Outcomes in Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea" International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
• "Human Matters in Asthma: Considering the Microbiome in Pulmonary Health" Frontiers in Pharmacology 
• "Pulmonary Complications in Children Following Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Case Report and Review of the Diagnostic Approach" Frontiers in Oncology
• "Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children With Sickle Cell Disease: A Pilot Study" The Laryngoscope