Two Indiana University doctors have been awarded grants by the American Lung Association Research Institute for their research project for treatments for lung disease.
Marta Gomes was awarded the Catalyst Awar to study whether the loss of a protein called WWOX contributed to increased cell growth and metabolic changes in the arteries which can lead to pulmonary arterial hypertension. The study hoped to understand the role of WWOX and define it as a target for therapy strategies.
Catherine Ruffato Sears was awarded the Lung Cancer Discovery Award for her work on learning how lung cancer develops in people with COPD. Her team will study how DNA repair deficiency impacts lung cells in response to smoking, leading to lung cancer and COPD.
In the past year, the American Lung Association Research Institute has announced a total research investment of $22 million, making it one of the largest programs in the country with a focus on lung health.
“Here in Indiana, lung research is critical because more than one million Hoosiers are living with lung disease,” said Tanya Husain, executive director at the Lung Association. “We are honored to welcome Dr. Gomes and Dr. Sears to the elite American Lung Association Research Institute team.”
Research projects through this funding are carefully selected through peer review. The Lung Association is now accepting applications for it 2025-26 research awards and grants cycle.
For more information, visit lung.org/awards. For more information about the research team, visit lung.org/research-team.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
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Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
