Advancing Research 2020-2021
Highlighting our impact in lung disease research, including in-depth looks at researchers from the Airways Clinical Research Centers, updates from our Award & Grant recipients, and patient stories.Read the full issue below and scroll down for more Advancing Research.
Featured Content
Thank You for Supporting Lifesaving Research
For over 115 years, the American Lung Association has focused on driving excellence and innovation through research. Today, we continue to support trailblazing research, novel ideas and innovative approaches with the hope of eliminating lung disease and improving life for those living with lung disease. With our donors, we are investing in brilliant scientific minds of the future and supporting projects with the potential to improve prevention, detection and treatment options.
Member of Research Family Makes History
Last June, surgeons at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago successfully performed a double-lung transplant for the first time on a patient in her 20s whose lungs were severely and irreversibly damaged by COVID-19. Northwestern’s Chief of Thoracic Surgery, Ankit Bharat, M.D., led the transplant team that made headlines worldwide. He is also an exemplary member of our research family.
Study Updates
Still Inspiring
Jerry Krishnan, M.D., Ph.D., associate vice chancellor for the Population Health Sciences Program at University of Illinois in Chicago and an ACRC principal investigator, and his research team excitedly continue to move forward on their INSPIRE pilot project. “Our plans are in motion to help lift the burden to COPD patients and caregivers, in partnership with their healthcare providers.”
As part of this progress, Sandra Zaeh, M.D., M.S., newly joined as an INSPIRE co-investigator. Dr. Zaeh, a pulmonary/critical care fellow at Johns Hopkins University, will play a lead role in
interviewing patients and healthcare providers about their decisions regarding home oxygen. The INSPIRE patient investigators, Michele DaSilva, Karen Deitemeyer and Annette Woodruff, are likewise are currently completing their human subjects training so that they can fully collaborate. The training will help to ensure that all study investigators are aware of regulatory and ethical best practices.
Meanwhile, the team reviewed examples of shared decision-making tools for other conditions (e.g., use of statins for heart disease) and will soon review the recently published American Thoracic Society guidelines about home oxygen in preparation for submitting the INSPIRE study protocol for Institutional Review Board approval.
Find a MATCH
The Improving Medication Adherence with Telehealthcare Medication Therapy Management to Change Health Outcomes in Adolescents and Young Adults with Asthma (MATCH) study is gearing up to begin recruitment this winter. Participation is all virtual and will include individuals between the ages of 14 and 30 who have been diagnosed with asthma by a physician and prescribed an inhaled corticosteroid medication. If you or anyone you know is interested, please contact the center nearest you at the link below:
Airways Clinical Research Centers Locations
We will continue to keep you updated as the study progresses.
Want more Advancing Research?
View our collection of annual Advancing Research publications and learn more about how lung disease research is helping improve lives and making a difference for all those who have been touched by lung disease.
