Harvard Catalyst Profiles

My research uses the tools of clinical epidemiology and genetics to understand chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) phenotypes and treatment responses, moving towards personalized medicine for this heterogeneous disease. We are particularly interested in clinically-relevant COPD subtypes, such as patients with frequent exacerbations, airway disease, and the overlapping diagnoses of asthma and COPD. Most of the research is centered within the COPDGene Study, a multi-center longitudinal study of smokers with and without COPD. We are able to leverage the wealth of clinical information, chest CT scans, genetic and biomarker data within COPDGene to examine multiple research questions.

My lab studies the genetic epidemiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Most of my research is within the COPDGene Study, a longitudinal study of over 10,000 current and former smokers followed for more than 10 years. In addition, we utilize other large studies, such as the Lung Tissue Research Consortium. My group's approach to COPD genetic epidemiology is to start with a clinical question, then try to understand the epidemiology, such as disease phenotypes and subtypes. Then we incorporate genomics and biomarkers. There are multiple potential projects analyzing these datasets, which can last a few months to a year or longer. Previous short-term projects included associating vitamin D deficiency with COPD symptoms and chest CT scan findings. A previous medical student completed a cluster analysis of COPD subjects using blood protein biomarkers. There are opportunities for other epidemiology projects, studying COPD exacerbations for example, and analysis of RNA-sequencing and biomarker datasets. The student would be responsible for data analysis, with supervision from the PI and other lab members. Prior experience with statistical programming, particularly using R, is beneficial. The work can be done remotely.