Currently Funded
Blanca Camoretti-Mercado, PhD
University of Chicago
Catch Your Breath Research Award
Dr. Camoretti-Mercado is researching LAM (lymphangioleiomyomatosis), a rare lung disease that mostly affects women in their 30s and 40s. In particular, Dr. Camoretti-Mercado is looking into the molecular mechanisms involved with the development of LAM. Increased understanding may lead to new and effective therapies for LAM.
Navdeep Chandel, MD
Northwestern University
Lung Cancer Promise of Tomorrow Award*
Dr. Chandel's research involves adenocarcinoma, a type of non small cell lung cancer that is increasingly affecting non smokers. Adenocarcinoma accounts for 30% of non small cell lung cancer cases. Dr. Chandel is looking at a novel cellular signaling system that may lead to the development of adenocarcinoma. Understanding how this signaling system works in the cells may eventually lead to the development of new therapies to treat and prevent adenocarcinoma.
*Funded by LUNGevity Foundation, Arkansas Respiratory Health Association, Breathe California of the Bay Area, Breathe California of Los Angeles County, Breathe New Hampshire, and Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago.
Samuel Dorevitch, MD
University of Illinois at Chicago
Respiratory Health Association Research Grant
A dominant theory about the link between asthma and obesity focuses on inflammation (a component of both conditions) and an element of inflammation called oxidative stress. Dr. Dorevitch is investigating the relationship between asthma, obesity and oxidative stress within an urban African American community to gain more information about the link between asthma and obesity.
Kyle Hogarth, MD
University of Chicago
Catch Your Breath Research Award
Dr. Hogarth's research involves screening fluroescence bronchoscopy; a test that may improve early detection of pre-cancerous lesions in the large airways that are not detected by CT scan. Dr. Hogarth is looking at the clinical differences in men versus women for the detection of pre-cancerous lesions as well as the differences amongst women that develop lesions compared to those that do not.
Baxter Bioscience Educational Grant
Dr. Hogarth is designing a program to demonstrate that a direct-to-consumer education and awareness campaign can increase the number of COPD patients tested for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1). Alpha-1 is an inherited disorder that can cause lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Ravi Kalhan, MD
Northwestern University
Respiratory Health Association Research Grant
Asthma is a complex disease which is determined by multiple genetic and environmental factors. Some research has noted a relationship between dietary intake of soy isoflavone and asthma severity. In particular, some research has shown that higher consumption of soy leads to decreased self report of cough and other respiratory symptoms. Dr. Kalhan is currently investigating whether dietary supplementation with soy will improve lung function, reduce symptoms and decrease airway inflammation.
Jerry Krishnan, MD
University of Chicago
American Thoracic Society/Respiratory Health Association Research Grant
Conventional treatment for a severe asthma attack includes using corticosteroids orally or intravenously, and the use of inhaled bronchodilators. These treatments, however, can take hours or days to provide benefits. Dr. Krishnan is examining the benefits of using high-doses of inhaled corticosteroids, in addition to conventional treatment, as a potential new therapy to improve outcomes of patients hospitalized for asthma.
Sharon Rosenberg, MD
Northwestern University
Catch Your Breath Research Award
In 2000, for the first time, the number of women dying from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) surpassed the number of men. Research has recently indicated that there are important differences in the presentation and course of COPD in men versus women. Dr. Rosenberg is researching COPD, including gender-based differences in co-morbid conditions (2 or more diseases that occur together) and gender-based differences in health status related to COPD.
Ravi Salgia, MD, PhD
University of Chicago
Funded through proceeds from the Chicago Lung Run
Adenocarcinoma is a type of non small cell lung cancer, and is the most common type of lung cancer in non smokers. Dr. Ravi Salgia's research involves studying the biomarkers in tumor and blood of women who smoke and women who don't smoke with adenocarcinoma. This highly innovative research will provide insight into developing a blood test for adenocarcinoma in women, as well as provide some insight into the genes that may involved.
Tuberculosis Epidemiologic Studies Consortium
A number of tuberculosis research projects are underway through a 10-year contract with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This research, conducted through the CDC's Tuberculosis Epidemiologic Studies Consortium, and in collaboration with the Metropolitan Chicago Tuberculosis Coalition works to strengthen, focus and coordinate tuberculosis research.
