Research Opportunities

Our division focuses on understanding the mechanisms of lung injury and repair. This work explores how tissue damage and remodeling contribute to diseases like ARDS and asthma, as well as how lung cells respond to hypoxia, hyperoxia, vasoactive substances, and cytokines.

Key areas of investigation include:

• Cell signaling pathways in lung injury
• Antigen identification in sarcoidosis
• Lung responses to oxidative stress
• Vascular changes in lung disease

NIH-funded projects currently underway include:

• Lung metabolism enzymes in the pulmonary circulation
• Oxidant effects of TGFβ on lung cells
• Stimulation of smooth muscle cell growth by serotonin
• Role of xanthine oxidase in lung injury
• Activation of the JAK/STAT pathway by oxidative stress
• Cytokine-generated reactive oxygen species in lung injury and repair

Fellows interested in basic science may receive salary support through our NIH research training grant, which also allows fellows to start in the lab before transitioning to clinical service.

Our clinical research program focuses on improving care for people with respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, and pulmonary complications of systemic illness. Active studies include:

• Predictors of outcomes in mechanical ventilation and acute lung injury
• Weaning and extubation protocols
• Use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) to support weaning or prevent reintubation
• Sedation practices in the ICU and their impact on outcomes
• Exercise limitation and dyspnea in hepatic failure and obesity
• Cardiopulmonary exercise testing for liver transplant evaluation

We collaborate closely with the Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) service at Tufts MC on clinical and translational projects, such as:

• Pulmonary quality of life after BMT
• Respiratory muscle function after BMT
• Cellular and physiological responses to BMT

We’re also engaged in several ongoing, industry-supported studies related to:

• Acute lung injury
• Nosocomial pneumonia
• Pulmonary hypertension
• COPD

Our fellows have the flexibility to pursue research aligned with their career goals, with strong mentorship from faculty across Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine.