Author Archives: ecroe

The UNC School of Medicine has researchers across disciplines working together to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Among them are several researchers from the Marsico Lung Institute working as a team to map the entry sites for SARS-CoV-2 in the respiratory tract and explore the risk/benefit aspects of drugs commonly used...

Ray Pickles, PhD, and Robert Tarran, PhD, have both been consulted for separate articles about the possibility that smoking and vaping could increase vulnerabilities to the coronavirus. Dr. Pickles was consulted by Neoscope for an article entitled “Experts: Vaping Could Make Coronavirus Infection More Severe,” which can be found here. Scientific American...

As a wave of vaping-related deaths was thrust into the spotlight last year, researchers at the UNC School of Medicine and colleagues at Carolina have become experts in all areas of the field from pulmonology to marketing. Among the experts discussed are Robert Tarran, PhD, and Ilona Jaspers, PhD, both...

Scott Donaldson, MD, has been interviewed for a Radio In Vivo podcast about a breakthrough new treatment for cystic fibrosis. The podcast can be found here.

The Campaign for Carolina has showcased the Virtual Lung Project for its innovation in combating respiratory diseases. The Virtual Lung Project is helmed by a team of UNC researchers that includes Richard Superfine, PhD, and Richard C. Boucher, MD. Read the story here.

Robert Tarran, PhD, has been consulted for a NPR story about the link between vaping and chronic lung disease. The article, “Vaping Nicotine Linked to Increased Risk of Chronic Lung Disease,” can be found here.

Scott Donaldson, MD, has been interviewed for a WECT News story about a newly approved drug, Trikafta, being used to treat patients with cystic fibrosis. The article and accompanying video, “Newly approved drug called a ‘game changer’ for patients with cystic fibrosis,” can be found here.

Ilona Jaspers, PhD, has been consulted for a Yahoo Lifestyle article about the recent lung transplant in a teen who was suffering from a critical vaping-related illness. The article, “Teen who received double lung transplant for vaping illness was ‘days’ from death, doctors say,” can be found here.

Ilona Jaspers, PhD, has been interviewed on the Kaiser Health News website about how pitting vaping against cigarette use is the wrong comparison to make when considering the issue of vaping-related illnesses. The interview, “Cigarettes Vs. Vaping: That’s The ‘Wrong Comparison,’ Says Inhalation Researcher,” can be found here.

The Knowles Lab is the winner of the UNC Freezer Challenge, which is a challenge sponsored by UNC Green Labs for researchers to reduce energy usage in lab freezers. As a prize, the Knowles Lab received an energy-efficient -80°C freezer. As noted on the UNC Green Labs website, “UNC Green...