Currently the goal of my lab is the translation of biological findings at the bench to clinically relevant diagnostics or therapeutics for patient care.

Our current research projects focus on the role of growth factors and integrins in the pathogenesis of the lung injury associated with ventilator associated lung injury, lung cancer and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). Specifically, our work uses molecular biologic, in vitro cell and chick CAM assays to investigate the biology of endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells as it relates to angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. New vessel formation plays a key role in lung cancer, cancer metastasis and LAM and the study of VEGF and integrins lends itself to the discovery of novel therapeutic peptides for treatment.

In separate projects we are investigating the role of growth factors, integrins and lipids in lung cell injury resulting from mechanical deformation and subsequent repair mechanisms. These studies are performed in both cells and animals using cell stretchers, confocal microscopy and mechanical ventilators respectively. Together these projects allow us to collaborate in a multidisciplinary fashion with the Angiogenesis & Vascular Biology Center, Cancer Center, the Biomedical Engineering Department & Nanotechnology & Nanoscience Center.