Research Team

Wayne Mitzner, PhD
Professor

Department of Environmental Health and Engineering

Dr. Mitzner's research interests are focused on the structural basis of physiologic lung function and how this normal structure manifests itself in pathologic situations and environmental exposures. His current work is concerned with understanding the mechanisms that underlie the chronic lung tissue destruction that occurs in emphysema. These functional and immunological studies in the mouse are directed toward investigating mechanisms of alveolar destruction with age or with emphysematous lesions. How this tissue destruction impacts the interaction between the lung parenchyma and airways plays a key role in the ability to breath in this pathology, and ongoing work is involved in studying this interaction.
 

Nathachit ‘James’ Limjunyawong, BS
PhD Student

James received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. In 2010, he has joined the Department of Environmental Health Sciences as a graduate student.

James' current area of research is focusing on the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases particularly COPD, asthma and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He is also interested in how environmental pollutants such as ozone can cause lung tissue damage. This includes the interdisciplinary approaches from the molecular and immunological mechanisms, pathophysiology as well as epigenetic alteration.

Matthew Craig, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow

Matt Craig received his PhD from Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. He trained under Dr. Alan Scott to study the regulation of immune-mediated inflammation during malaria and hookworm infections. His current research interests include applying his training in immunology and physiology to the study of how pulmonary inflammation impacts lung structure and function.

Matt has extensive research experience in animal models of respiratory disease and an excellent understanding of the pulmonary immune system. He is focusing on assessing chronic changes to lung structure and function as a consequence of pulmonary inflammation, specifically in the context of emphysema.
 

Boris Lande, PhD
Research Consultant

Boris Lande is an emeritus laboratory assistant, who provides important theoretical insights to graduate students and fellows into all aspects of lung structure and function. He also has considerable expertise in the construction of home-made laboratory prototypes that often help direct student research into new directions.