The focus of my clinical practice and research gravitates around chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung transplantation. COPD is the leading chronic respiratory cause of death worldwide as well as the second most common indication for lung transplantation in the United States. The barriers to lung transplantation are many and include socioeconomic, medical and surgical barriers. My research has developed and locally validated mortality prediction rules that take into consideration competing events. This way we can help selecting the appropriate timing for transplantation. Detecting a disease in early stages increases the chances of cure and provides more opportunities for intervention, I have developed a clinical severity classification for chronic bronchitis as well as ultrasound based non-invasive diagnostic tests aiming to diagnose chronic bronchitis at its earliest stages. My goal for the near future is to help advance and meld emerging knowledge in COPD and lung transplantation.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung transplantation, pulmonary rehabilitation, critical care medicine.

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