My research explores role that neutrophils play in the pathogenesis of inflammatory lung disease, with particular emphasis on chemokine networks and the regulation of inflammation. A better understanding of neutrophil biology and inflammation in the lung will allow the discovery and development of novel therapeutics. Inflammation and neutrophil recruitment ares a key components of many lung diseases including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diseases caused by pathogenic viruses and bacteria such as influenza virus (flu) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumonia).

 A key area of my research focuses on how complex chemokine networks influence the accumulation of neutrophils at sites of inflammation. These chemokine networks are often contextual, meaning that certain chemokines influence the migration of different leukocytes depending on the associated milieu . I am particularly interested in neutrophil migration into the lung, which is dependent on the classic chemoattractant CXCL8 (IL-8) and the non-conventional neutrophil chemoattractants CCL2 and CCL7.

Several inflammatory mediators are expressed in the lung during inflammation. However, how these factors regulate neutrophil effector functions is still poorly understood in the context of acute lung inflammation. Although it is understood that some of these factors regulate neutrophil migration, their effects on neutrophil degranulation, neutrophil extracellular trap formation (NETosis), phagocytosis and cytokine release are poorly understood.