Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine Research

DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE

Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine

Research conducted at the The Catherine and Henry J. Gaisman Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine provides the foundation for the exceptional care we offer our patients. The Division’s investigative portfolio addresses the full spectrum of respiratory health, from basic science investigations into lung biology, to clinical trials evaluating novel therapies.

From investigating lung development and repair to exploring the impacts of environmental exposures on respiratory function, our studies at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai examine common conditions like asthma as well as complex issues such as interstitial lung disease and sarcoidosis. By integrating cutting-edge technologies—including artificial intelligence and machine learning—we continually bridge the gap between scientific discovery and clinical application.

Research Laboratories

Hook Laboratory

Promoting resilience and repair of infected lungs through advanced imaging studies.

Kathirya Lab

Uncovering the mechanisms driving early activation of distal lung epithelial progenitors following injury, and the role of cytoskeletal remodeling in guiding cell differentiation.

Powell Laboratory

Leveraging gene signatures to identify invasive tumors in early-stage lung adenocarcinoma.

Shah Lab

Investigating the complex relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease by leveraging cutting-edge methods in epidemiology, cardiovascular imaging, proteomics, and machine learning.

Varga Laboratory

Specializing in sleep movement disorders, including RLS and REM Behavior Disorder.

Watanabe Laboratory

Investigating the role of oncogenic transcriptional regulators in non-small cell lung cancer.

Research Areas

Faculty within the Division are engaged in many research projects designed to explore and address pulmonary conditions and diseases. These initiatives span from basic science to clinical applications, and focus on research areas such as lung development, infections, injury, repair, and aging; asthma; bronchiectasis; and the impacts of environmental exposures and climate change on lung function. Our portfolio extends to studies on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, interstitial lung disease, and sarcoidosis. We are also committed to exploring how artificial intelligence and machine learning can enhance our clinical decision support systems.

Across these efforts, our goal remains the same: to deepen our understanding of pulmonary diseases and conditions in order to develop innovative diagnostic tools and treatment.

Researchers associated with pulmonary disease projects include:

Our critical care medicine research is aimed at improving patient outcomes and treatment practices. Our faculty focus on enhancing noninvasive respiratory support, evaluating predictive tools for patient management, addressing health equity in medical devices, and exploring advanced monitoring techniques for respiratory failure. We are also participating in a multicenter adaptive trial that evaluates the safety and efficacy of emergency care strategies for cardiac arrest and respiratory infection patients.

Researcher associated with critical care medicine projects:

Using advanced techniques such as actigraphy and home sleep testing, our researchers are studying the intricate relationships between obstructive sleep apnea, sleep duration, cardiovascular disease, and metabolism. We are additionally exploring the impacts of sleep disturbances on brain health, cognition, and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers, particularly in aging populations and at-risk groups.

Other areas of investigation include the effects of sleep duration on asthma and lung function, as well as the influence of chronic short sleep on immune system function. On the clinical front, our researchers are developing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for sleep disorders, which includes creating AI-powered clinical decision support tools for sleep apnea patients, and potential treatments for sleep disturbances related to long COVID.

Researchers associated with sleep medicine projects include: