The University of Cincinnati is nationally recognized as a Cystic Fibrosis Center, a Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) Foundation-approved LAM Clinic specializing in rare lung diseases, and a Pulmonary Hypertension Association Care Center, providing the division with ample opportunities for both clinical and translational research. This is mirrored within the realm of critical care; as a member of the Ohio consortium for the Prevention and Early Treatment of Acute Lung Injury (PETAL), there are also numerous opportunities within the research realm of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). This group is funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHBLI) and seeks to build on the landmark studies of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Clinical Trial Network (ARDSnet). With the University of Cincinnati’s proximity to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, we also have faculty involved in basic science research with a focus on lung regeneration and cytokine networks.

With a rich history of scholarly activity, the fellows are each afforded protected research time for career scaffolding.  Flexibility is an important aspect of the fellowship research program.  We believe that your scholarly project should support your career trajectory and provide a wide variety of scholarly activity in our clinician educator, quality improvement and physician scientist tracks.  All fellows, regardless of training pathway, receive at least 6 months of protected time for research over the course of their fellowship, and up to 12 months of research time can be provided based on merits of the project and availability of funding. The Division shares a T32 training grant and a Rare Lung Disease Fellowship with Pulmonary Biology at Cincinnati Children’s, both of which are available to fellows.

Some highlights include:

• Novel methods of inhibiting pandemic influenza

• Clinical and molecular studies of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) and pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM).

• Observational studies for a variety of cystic lung diseases

• Animal models of pulmonary fibrosis and rare lung diseases

• Molecular biology research in structure and function of adrenergic receptors in asthma

• Effects of cigarette smoke exposure on innate and adaptive immune system function

• Federally funded and pharmaceutical trials in interventional pulmonary medicine, pulmonary hypertension, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, rare lung disease, obstructive lung disease and critical care

• Creation and use of a novel device in patients with COPD and Cystic Fibrosis

• Quality Improvement projects ranging from shared decision-making tool in complex care situations to use of sedation in the ICU

Fellows are provided with dedicated training and research opportunities in Quality Improvement (QI), led by Anderson Center Quality Scholar, Dr. Ahsan Zafar.  Fellows can choose to pursue large or small projects designed to improve healthcare delivery systems and patient outcomes.

All fellows who present original work at national meetings are funded for travel, lodging and registration by the division.  We have a dedicated research committee that meets with fellows on a regular basis to support their pursuits.

The combination of diverse research opportunities and ample divisional support make UC an ideal environment for young pulmonary and critical care investigators to flourish.  The expectation that all fellows will conduct meaningful scholarly activity with a product, such as a publication, a durable training curriculum or QI platform, or a grant application, enriches both the trainee and the Division, and becomes a major source of pride for both parties.