The ASPIRE Path in Molecular Medicine

My research interest is in understanding the molecular mechanisms behind acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). While ARDS is a leading cause of mortality in ICUs, there is little understanding on how to treat or prevent ARDS in patients. Communication between the endothelial-epithelial microvasculature may influence development of ARDS. My project will involve probing the role of exosomes in mediating barrier dysfunction in ARDS patients, and if these extracellular vesicles can serve as a biomarker to predict ARDS progression.