Gabriele Grunig, Ph.D., DVM
Columbia University
Inflammatory Model of Pulmonary Arterial Remodeling and Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a devastating, fatal disease caused when blood vessels in the lungs constrict abnormally, forcing the heart to work harder to propel blood through the lungs and raising the blood pressure. PH occurs in a large percentage of individuals who are affected with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is highly prevalent. While there has been progress in the therapy of PH, there is no cure. Dr. Grunig aims to determine the genetic influence on the remodeling of pulmonary blood vessels in response to chronic exposure to an inflammatory agent.
Raviraja Neelavar Seetharam, Ph.D.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Respiratory Tract Axoneamal Dynein Arms Motility
When harmful substances enter the respiratory tract, they are removed by mucus-secreting and ciliated cells that line the airways. The cilia of these cells are microscopic hair-like structures. The axonemal dynein arms, which act as the skeleton and musculature of these cilia, generate the brushing motion of the cilia to remove the substances. Dr. Seetharam aims to better understand how these arms work so that the medical community will be able to design interventions that affect the efficiency and function of the mucociliary appartus.
Vijay Seelall, MD
NYU Medical Center
Effect of Nasal Resistance on Delivered Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea, which is characterized by disordered breathing during sleep, is a highly prevalent disease that affects up to 5% of the adult U.S. population. Excessive daytime sleepiness is the main symptom in these patients. Continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) is very effective at treating the condition. It works by blowing pressurized air through a mask fitted over the nose and/or mouth. Compliance, however, has been very low due mainly to complaints about difficulty exhaling. Dr. Seelall seeks to examine the use of flexible CPAP whereby exhalation pressure is lowered.
Mamta Reddy, MD
Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center
Integrated Pest Management and Childhood Asthma
Various school-based asthma education programs have been shown to be successful in teaching children and their families to better manage asthma by identifying triggers, recognizing symptoms and understanding medications. Cockroaches are one of the most common and most allergenic of indoor pests. Studies have shown a strong association between the presence of cockroaches and increased severity of asthma symptoms. Through school-based education and home-based integrated pest management, Dr. Reddy aims to reduce school absenteeism related to asthma.
