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Moving research forward
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences grant news
Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation
In August, two faculty members in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences received grants from the Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation (KSEF). Qunwei Zhang, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., will investigate the molecular mechanisms responsible for particulate matter-induced lung cancer in his project, “Mechanisms underlying ambient particulate matter-induced DNA damage and cell transformation.” Gary Hoyle, PhD received funding for his project, “Macrophages and airway fibrosis.” His studies will potentially identify a central mechanism of airway fibrosis and lead to novel therapeutic strategies to prevent the development of scarring following acute or chronic injuries. Drs. Zhang and Hoyle received $30,000 each from the KSEF’s Research and Development Excellence Program.
National Institute of Environmental Health
In September, Dr. Hoyle learned that he was the recipient of more than $400,000 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences for his project “Treatment of persistent chlorine-induced small airway disease.” With the support of this NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Award (R21), Dr. Hoyle and his team will develop an animal model of persistent chlorine-induced lung disease that replicates the disease states observed in chlorine-exposed humans and evaluate a currently available therapy. These exploratory studies will generate valuable information toward development of an appropriate animal model for countermeasure testing and generate initial data regarding efficacy of a type of treatment currently used for irritant-induced asthma that could be readily adopted as a countermeasure.
