Stephen Reeves, M.D., Ph.D.

Research has indicated that decreased lung function caused by childhood asthma does not improve as a child ages, despite appropriate treatment with medications. Current leading theories of mechanisms underlying the decline in lung function involve the concept of airway remodeling - this proposes that the airways of asthmatic children are altered over time as part of the disease state. Using state-of-the-art molecular techniques Dr. Reeves and his team will examine the way fibroblasts, cells known to promote airway remodeling, lead to irreversible lung damage in asthmatic children.