University of Iowa Researcher Awarded Grant to Study COVID-19

Sean Fain, PhD, from the University of Iowa, was awarded a $100,000 grant from the American Lung Association to study COVID-19 and chronic lung disease. He joins a cohort of researchers receiving a total of $12.6 million in over 100 grants in increased research funding from the organization, including seven new COVID-19 research grants. 

“Many of us know someone, be it a family member, coworker or friend who is suffering from ‘long COVID’ symptoms,” said Micki Sandquist, executive director at the Lung Association. “As a society, we need research like Dr. Fain’s to help all the ‘long-haulers’ in our lives heal from the damaging effects of this lung disease.”

For the Lung Association’s 2021-2022 research grant cycle, Fain received the COVID-19 and Emerging Respiratory Viruses Research Award. This award includes $100,000 per year for up to two years, totaling $200,000. Titled “Understanding ‘Long Haul’ COVID-19,” his project aims to study blood vessel injury in COVID-19 patients and gain insight on improving treatment for lung inflammation. 

Research projects funded by the Lung Association are carefully selected through a rigorous review committee and represent the investigation of a wide range of complex issues to help reduce the burden of lung disease. 

Meet the full Lung Association research team, including current awardees and their full abstracts at Lung.org/research-team.