Research Award Recipients
2023 Lung Cancer Research Award

Investigator
Diego Avella-Patino, MD
Project Title
Improving Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer
Research Summary
Dr. Avella-Patino and his team will work on the identification of cells that mediate the anti-tumor effects of immune checkpoint blockade and the immune components of the metastatic process in lung cancer. Data from this research will contribute to the development of more effective cellular transfer therapies in the future, using specific subsets of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (immune cells) in combination with immune checkpoint blockade therapy.
2022 Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Award

Investigator
Julian Solway, MD
Project Title
Preclinical Development of Aerosol Remodilins as a New Treatment for IPF
Research Summary
Dr. Solway will test whether remodilins delivered directly to the lung via the airways improve experimental pulmonary fibrosis in mice without causing lung toxicity themselves. Positive results would establish lung-targeted remodilins as a completely new class of candidate medicine to prevent lung scarring in pulmonary fibrosis.
2022 Lung Cancer Research Award

Investigator
Kayla Goliwas, PhD
Project Title
Targeting the Metabolic and Immune Suppressive Landscape in Lung Cancer
Research Summary
Dr. Goliwas and her team will utilize novel three dimensional human lung tumor tissue models which maintain the human tumor microenvironment and 3D tissue architecture. These models allow for tumor-immune interactions, immune cell recruitment, response to therapies, and biomarkers of response to be evaluated. This study will establish the efficacy of this novel combination therapy within the lung carcinoma.
2021 Lung Cancer Research Award

Investigator
Maria Lucia L. Madariaga, MD
Project Title
Comprehensive Metabolic Profiling of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer In Vivo and Ex Vivo
Research Summary
Dr. Madariaga’s research aims to improve understanding of non-small cell lung cancer with the goal of expanding diagnostic modalities and increasing therapeutic targets. She and her team will employ novel techniques to accurately and comprehensively determine the metabolic pathways altered in lung cancer.
2020 Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Award

Investigator
Paul Reyfman, MD, MS
Project Title
Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analysis of Nasal Epithelium in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Research Summary
Dr. Reyfman’s study will investigate novel techniques for measuring the expression of genes within all individual cells in a sample of tissue in an effort to discover new insights into IPF. The goal of Dr. Reyfman’s study is to identify ways to improve IPF patient outcomes. His research may form a foundation for the development of marker tests for diagnosis, prognosis, and predication of response to therapy in IPF.
2020 Lung Cancer Research Award

Investigator
Marquita Lewis-Thames, PhD, MPH, MS
Project Title
Community-Engaged and Patient-centered Approach to Understanding the Implementation of Posttreatment Survivorship Care Planning for Rural Lung Cancer Survivors
Research Summary
In her study, Dr. Lewis-Thames will focus on rural lung cancer survivorship. Through use of interviews and focus groups of both survivors and caregivers, she will assess care planning and follow up care needed to improve adherence. By using patient-centered and community-engaged methods, Dr. Lewis-Thames’ research aims to understand care planning for rural lung cancer survivors.
2019 Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Award

Investigator
Laura Frye, M.D. – University of Chicago Medicine
Project Title
Regional Pathologic and Metagenomic Heterogeneity in IPF(ACL) cells
Research Summary
Dr. Frye is creating a database through analysis of the existing lung tissue bank from explanted IPF lungs. The study will look at the relationship between the host immune system and the pulmonary microbiome in an effort to correlate microbial presence and diversity to fibrosis in IPF.
2019 Lung Cancer Research Award

Investigator
Maurizio Bocchetta, Ph.D. – Loyola University Medical Center
Project Title
Role of the deubiquitinase OTUD6B isoforms in cell cycle progression and survival of Adenocarcinoma of the lung (ACL) cells
Research Summary
Dr. Bocchetta is researching the potential for the OTUD6B enzyme to stabilize lung cells and prevent cancer growth by inhibiting degradation of an important protein. The study will provide insights into whether this protein can be a novel therapeutic target in lung cancer.
2018 Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Award
Investigator
Robert Hamanaka, Ph.D., The University of Chicago
Project Title
Metabolic Regulation of Myofibroblast Differentiation
Research Summary
Through this research Dr. Hamanaka will provide insights into the metabolic and signaling requirements for tissue fibrosis and will potentially identify novel targets for treatment of IPF.
2018 Lung Cancer Research Award

Investigator
Guofei Zhou, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine
Project Title
Targeting PDLIM5 for Lung Cancer
Research Summary
Dr. Zhou is researching a novel target (PDLIM5) for lung cancer drug discovery that may be capable of inhibiting lung cancer development. The results from Dr. Zhou’s study will provide insights into novel therapeutic strategies including new drugs to treat lung cancer. The committee was impressed by the translational characteristics of his work which closely align with the mission of RHA.
2017 Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Award

Investigator
A. Christine Argento, M.D., Northwestern University
Project Title
Comparison of Transbronchial, Cryoprobe and Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Biopsy for the Diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Background
Respiratory Health Association encouraged applications from junior investigators interested in conducting translational research. RHA appreciated the value this project may have in seeking a way to minimize use of other more invasive diagnostic procedures for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We hope this award leads to improvements in the treatment options for IPF.
Research Summary
Dr. Argento is investigating different biopsy procedures in the diagnosis of IPF. Typically, IPF diagnosis requires patients to undergo a surgical lung biopsy which carries a 2-6% post-surgical mortality risk within 90 days of the procedure. However, other safe procedures including cryobiopsies and transbronchial biopsies exist and may prove invaluable in the diagnosis of IPF. Dr. Argento’s research will be the first to directly compare cryobiopsy to transbronchial bronchoscopic biopsy and surgical biopsy.
2017 Lung Cancer Research Award

Investigator
Kevin Haas, M.D., University of Illinois at Chicago
Project Title
Pulmonary Nodule Diagnostic and Therapeutic Timeliness Study (PuNDiTT)
Background
RHA research application review committee was impressed by the translational characteristics of this work which closely align with the mission of RHA. In particular, RHA appreciated the interest in working to determine the health literacy of an underserved predominately minority population with high risk pulmonary nodules. We hope this award assists in the development of research that will make a positive impact on future work leading to improvements in lung cancer screening.
Research Summary
Dr. Haas is investigating health equity in the management of high risk pulmonary nodules. The process to determine if a lung nodule is cancerous is complex, requiring multiple tests that can overwhelm individuals with low health literacy. PuNDiTT will help determine how population demographics, health literacy rates, and delays in the management of high risk nodules affect clinical outcomes. Dr. Haas’s study will provide the groundwork to improve the timeliness and efficiency of lung cancer screening programs in providing individualized care to an understudied population.
2016 Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Research Award

Investigator
Anna Lam, M.D., Assistant Professor, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern University
Project Title
Wnt/beta-catenin Signaling Impacts Macrophage Differentiation in Persistence of Pulmonary Fibrosis
Background
Respiratory Health Association encouraged applications from investigators interested in conducting innovative research studies in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) to build upon an existing portfolio of research. The committee appreciated the novel connection of the function of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway to pulmonary fibrosis. We are hopeful her efforts will lead to enhancements in the lives of those living with IPF in the future and further advance the study of the genetic factors impacting IPF.
Research Summary
Dr. Lam is investigating important pathways in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Core pathways, such as Wnt/beta-catenin, that are important during human prenatal development are altered in IPF. Abnormal function of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway is known to cause human diseases such as colon cancer and osteoporosis. Dr. Lam and her team are the first to link this pathway to lung fibrosis.
2016 Lung Cancer Research Award

Investigator
Gye Young Park, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep, and Allergy, University of Illinois at Chicago
Project Title
Macrophage Regulation of Lung Cancer Progression
Background
RHA sought applications designed to investigate lung cancer and the development and testing of new methodologies including models to treat this disease. RHA’s research review committee felt that Dr. Park’s research closely aligns with our mission and looks forward to the advancements that this award will have on lung cancer treatment in the future.
Research Summary
Dr. Park is investigating a new therapeutic strategy for lung cancer by modifying the phenotype of tumor associated macrophages (TAMs). It is known that macrophages inside or within the surrounding area of a tumor play a role in tumor growth. However, this type of macrophage secretes biologically active substances to enhance tumor growth. The alteration of TAM characteristics could be implicated and improve treatment of lung cancer. Dr. Park will examine the involvement of the macrophage cellular and biochemical mechanisms as it relates to lung cancer in an effort to develop new approaches for treatment resulting in an increased survival rate.
For more information about RHA’s involvement in research, contact Rachael Morkunas, Senior Program Manager, via email at rmorkunas@resphealth.org or by phone at (312) 628-0233.