Research Focus: Dr. Michael R. Knowles is a Professor of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at UNC. He has over 3 decades of clinical research experience that spans across the disciplines of biology, physiology, genetics and clinical trials in both the academic and private sectors. He is currently the head of two large multicenter studies: 1) Genetic Modifiers of Disease phenotype (severity) in cystic fibrosis lung and liver disease, which includes an International Consortium doing whole genome and differential gene expression studies; and 2) a Consortium with 8 sites in North America to study rare genetic disorders of mucociliary clearance, and non-CF/non-PCD (idiopathic) bronchiectasis.