My current projects are investigating the mechanisms by which pneumonia increases cardiovascular risk. In collaboration with colleagues at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and University of Pennsylvania, we are using state-of-the art non-invasive techniques for in-vivo evaluation of the dynamic changes in the cardiovascular system that occur in patients with pneumonia during and after this infection. In addition, in collaboration with colleagues at University of Pennsylvania and Universisty of Pittsburgh, we are analyzing the effect of pneumonia on the progression of several parameters of cardiovascular structure and funciton using high quality longitudinal data from large North-American cohorts specifically designed to understand cardiovascular risk-factors. Our ultimate goal is the design, testing, and eventual implementation of mechanistically-informed interventions to reduce cardiovascular disease post-pneumonia.