Research
Our team at the Division of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine is actively involved in clinical, translational and basic science research investigations (with grants from the NIH, private foundations and others) on childhood asthma, complex airway problems, lung disease of prematurity and sleep disorders. Some of the active areas of investigation are included below:
Investigate Mechanisms Underlying Obesity-Related Asthma among Children
Since obesity is an independent risk factor for asthma, we are elucidating the mechanisms underlying the association of obesity with childhood asthma. Having shown that systemic inflammation associated with obesity-related asthma in children is non-atopic, our lab is investigating the role of epigenetics and that of other obesity-mediated complications such as metabolic abnormalities in establishing non-atopic inflammatory patterns among obese children with asthma.
Investigate Effectiveness of Biologics in Addressing Asthma Burden among Children with Severe Disease
There are many biologics that are effective in children with asthma. While clinical trials report on the effectiveness of these medications, there are limited studies on real-world understanding of their effectiveness in ameliorating disease, particularly in children residing in an urban environment with high burden of disease and environmental exposures that augment allergic inflammation. Our team is conducting research to address this knowledge gap
Investigate Sleep Disordered Breathing among Children with Neurological Conditions
Children with neurological conditions, such as muscular dystrophies, have a high incidence of respiratory problems including respiratory failure. Our team members are investigating clinical aspects associated with these concerns, with the goal to identify additional clinical variables, such as sleep study abnormalities that may help to identify the subset of children with neurological disorders at risk for respiratory insufficiency.