Research in the William Checkley Lab explores the field of lung health, with an emphasis on the epidemiology of obstructive lung diseases as well as acute lung injury and mechanical ventilation. We also explore the interactions between nutrition and infection, and the impact of environmental exposures to health.

Research in the Henry Fessler Lab is focused on pulmonary medicine. We are interested in heart-lung interaction, mechanical ventilation and lung mechanics. We’re also interested in medical education and recently examined contemporary strategies for effective lecturing.

Work in the Pedro Alejandro Mendez-Tellez Lab focuses on critical care medicine and acute lung injury. Recent studies include evaluating demographic and clinical factors associated with self-reported dysphagia after oral endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation in patients with acute lung injury. We've also analyzed orticosteroids and their relationship with delirium in critically ill patients.

Work in the Mahendra Damarla Lab focuses primarily on the field of vascular biology. Much of our research involves exploring alternatives to mechanical ventilation as a therapy for acute lung injury. We investigate mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 as a method to mediate apoptosis during lung vascular permeability by regulating movement of cleaved caspase 3. We have also conducted research on the prevalence of confirmatory tests in patients hospitalized with congestive heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).