3 Yale University Researchers Receive Funding from American Lung Association to Study Lung Diseases, Including Lung Cancer and COVID-19

In an effort to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, the American Lung Association invests in promising lung health research. The organization recently announced an investment in 98 promising lung health research awards, including for 3 local researchers from Yale University: Lokesh Sharma, Ph.D, Nikhil Joshi, Ph.D., and Dan Jane-wit, MD., Ph.D.  

“More than 36 million Americans are living with lung disease, placing them at increased risk for the most severe impacts of COVID-19. The American Lung Association recognizes that now is a crucial time to champion lung health, and is investing in promising lung health research, including the researchers at Yale University,” said American Lung Association Connecticut Director of Advocacy, Ruth Canovi.  “We’re proud to support promising scientists to help us realize our vision of a world free of lung disease.” 

The 3 separate awards will fund research on different lung diseases:

• Lokesh Sharma, Ph.D has received the Catalyst Award to study the mechanisms of anti-inflammatory effects in the Lung
• Nikhil Joshi, Ph.D. received the Lung Cancer Discovery Award to investigate the function of tumor-specific T cells in non-small cell lung cancer
• Dan Jane-Wit, M.D., Ph.D., received the COVID-19 Respiratory Virus Research Award to study the role of a specific gene (ZFYVE21) in COVID-19 respiratory complications.

“I am very excited to be involved in COVID-19 research, and I am very thankful to the American Lung Association for giving me this opportunity,” said Dr. Jane-Wit. “I hope that my work will contribute in a meaningful way to help patients that I see in the clinic. I have seen first-hand how devastating COVID-19 complications can be, and I believe that more research is needed to find drug therapies that are safe and effective for patients.”

Research projects funded by the Lung Association are carefully selected through rigorous scientific review and represent the investigation of a wide range of complex issues to help improve the lives of those living with a lung disease. 

For more information about the American Lung Association research award recipients and projects, visit Lung.org/research-team. For media seeking an interview with a COVID-19 researcher or lung health expert, contact Jennifer Solomon at [email protected]