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Lung disease

Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are investigating promising new approaches to prevent, diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases that affect the lungs. Our work spans the full spectrum of research from basic science to clinical research to knowledge translation. Learn more below.

Research News


Pioneering biotherapeutics trial paves the way for innovative approaches to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension Pioneering biotherapeutics trial paves the way for innovative approaches to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension
June 20, 2025 - Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and deadly disease that involves progressive damage to the tiny blood vessels that feed the lungs. In most cases, the cause is unknown and treatments are limited.
Could a preemie’s umbilical cord help repair their lungs? Could a preemie’s umbilical cord help repair their lungs?
February 11, 2025 - “Our results suggest we could one day test whether cells from a preemie’s umbilical cord might prevent them from developing a chronic lung disease.”
$2.8M grant to support Canada-wide trial of cell therapy for preterm babies $2.8M grant to support Canada-wide trial of cell therapy for preterm babies
September 16, 2024 - “This trial could change the way we care for premature babies. It’s my hope that these tiny patients will have a better chance to thrive, grow up, and have an impact on the world around them."
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Researchers


Name Scientific appointment Diseases, conditions and populations of interest Research and clinical approaches
Aaron, Shawn
MD, FRCPC
Senior Scientist
(Inflammation and Chronic Disease)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Cystic fibrosis, Lung disease, Asthma Clinical research
Addison, Christina
PhD
Senior Scientist
(Cancer Research)
Bone and joint degeneration, Cancer, Lung cancer, Lung disease, Pancreatic cancer, Prostate cancer, Breast cancer Basic research, Clinical research, Cohort studies, Disease models, Drug development, Genetics, Imaging, Model organisms, Translational research, Molecular and cellular biology
Alvarez, Gonzalo
MD, MPH, FRCPC
Senior Scientist
(Inflammation and Chronic Disease)
First Nations, Inuit and Métis Health, Health in disadvantaged peoples, Infectious disease, Lung disease, Population health, Tuberculosis Clinical research, Epidemiology, Public health
Gilbert, Sebastien
MD FRCSC
Clinician Investigator
(Acute Care Research)
Cancer, Gastric cancer, Gastrointestinal disease, Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), Lung cancer, Lung disease Artificial intelligence and data science, Clinical research, Epidemiology, Health technology, Patient safety, Quality Improvement, Surgery
Kendzerska, Tetyana
MD, PhD
Associate Scientist
(Inflammation and Chronic Disease)
Aging, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Heart disease, Lung disease, Population health, Women's health Biostatistics, Clinical research, Cohort studies, Epidemiology, Health research methods, Health services research, Systematic reviews
Klein, Ran
PhD
Clinician Investigator
(Methodological and Implementation Research)
Cancer, Heart disease, Kidney disease, Lung disease, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Bioinformatics, Biomarkers, Biostatistics, Clinical decision rules, Health technology, Imaging
Kwok, Chanel
MD, FRCPC
Associate Scientist
(Inflammation and Chronic Disease)
Lung disease Epidemiology
Mei, Shirley
PhD, MSc
Investigator
(Regenerative Medicine)
COVID-19, Infectious disease, Influenza, Lung disease, Septic shock Basic research, Biomarkers, Cell therapy, Critical care, Disease models, Drug development, Epigenetics, Gene therapy, Knowledge translation and implementation research, Molecular and cellular biology, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Translational research
Pakhale, Smita
MD, FRCPC, MSc (Epi & Biostat)
Senior Scientist
(Inflammation and Chronic Disease)
COVID-19, First Nations, Inuit and Métis Health, Health equity, Health in disadvantaged peoples, Lung disease, Sickle cell anemia Clinical research, Clinical trials, Cohort studies, Epidemiology, Health economics, Health promotion, Health services research, Patient engagement, Pragmatic trials, Public health, Quality Improvement
Thébaud, Bernard
MD, PhD
Senior Scientist
(Regenerative Medicine)
Lung disease, Newborn and child health Cell therapy, Extracellular vesicles / exosomes, Molecular and cellular biology, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Translational research
Luks, Vanessa
MD, FRCPC
Clinician Investigator
(Inflammation and Chronic Disease)
Asthma, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Cystic fibrosis, Lung disease, Pneumonia