My research is focused on translational studies of clinical and genetic risk factors for Primary Graft Dysfunction (PGD) and chronic rejection after lung transplantation. In addition to increased perioperative mortality, patients recovering from severe PGD have decreased quality of life and an increase risk of chronic rejection, the leading obstacle to long term survival after lung transplantation. Therefore, studies of the mechanisms of PGD and BOS will have a significant impact on the field of lung transplantation and may lead to therapies that improve the overall survival of lung transplant recipients. My current primary research interest is evaluating the role of innate immune activation in the development of post-lung transplant PGD and chronic rejection. I am also actively involved in integrating data on differential innate immune activation with the expanding body of knowledge on microbial colonization and infection of the lower respiratory tract as part of our evaluation of the microbiome of lung transplant recipients