Research Interests
Pulmonary pathobiology, COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, innate immunity, inhalation toxicology, aerosolized toxicants and pharmacologics, advanced cell culture methods, biomedical engineering, scientific outreach, and community engagement.
Research description
Innate immune defenses in our lungs protect us from the array of chemicals, particulate matter, and pathogens we inhale every day. Dysregulation of these essential defenses can lead to disruption of pulmonary immune homeostasis and the development or worsening of lung disease. My lab is interested in understanding how airborne pollutants and emerging toxicants deposit in the lungs, how these substances modify pulmonary defense functions, and how exposures may contribute to lung disease in healthy and vulnerable people. To address these questions, we use state-of-the-art cell culture methods, develop novel in vitro model platforms that more closely mimic lung microenvironments, and utilize in vitro aerosol exposure systems to achieve real-world relevant dosing scenarios.
