My clinical focus includes the evaluation and care of lung transplant candidates and recipients as well as the intensive care management of critically ill bone marrow transplant candidates and recipients. My research interests focus on these same patient groups and include: 1) the pharmacogenetics and immunogenetics of lung transplantation, specifically how genetic differences effect response to immunosuppression agents and the subsequent influence on lung transplant outcomes as well as how these agents influence and alter the immune system after transplantation; 2) hematologic complications after lung transplantation, particularly immunosuppression-driven changes and clonal hematopoiesis; and 3) Racial and socioeconomic disparities in access to lung transplantation. We aim to increase the understanding of how genotoxic stress drives aberrant immune responses with a goal of identifying novel targets for immunosuppression and developing precision approaches to immunosuppression management. 

Lung transplantation, critical care medicine.

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My goals in mentoring are to provide the tools necessary for growth and development not only of strong, rigorous top tier scientists, but also of well-rounded members of the academic community who have the requisite skillset and confidence to serve as leaders within their respective fields. To this end, I believe that mentoring requires 1) a collaborative environment in which free expression of ideas are celebrated and not shunned, 2) regular, direct interactions between the mentor and mentee in both group and 1:1 settings, 2) clear and consistent expectations regarding duties, performance, and productivity, 4)timely, constructive and specific feedback that provides intellectual stimulation and promotes scientific advancement 5) an environment where it is clear that the importance of mental health and well-being is crucial to academic and personal success 6) an ongoing reassessment of the effectiveness of the current relationship and a means for bidirectional feedback to strengthen the mentoring relationship, and 7) a commitment on the part of the mentor to continuing education on strategies for successful mentoring.

My lab utilizes primary human blood and tissue samples and well as human cell lines in concert with cutting edge genomic and immune profiling techniques. Students and trainees in the lab will have the opportunity to learn and perform both fundamental and cutting edge techniques in cellular and molecular biology and immunology. We employ a variety of cutting edge tools including spectral cytometry, mass cytometry (CyTOF), and next gen sequencing, including RNAseq and scRNAseq. Additionally, we work in close collaboration with our transplant surgery colleagues in conducting investigation in mouse models of acute lung injury and lung transplantation.