We feel that direct involvement of the fellows in a research program will greatly enhance their scholarly development, provide a foundation for logical and critical thinking, and encourage lifelong habits of continuing scholarship. One goal of this experience is to foster potential interest in a career in academic medicine. Through their research experience, our fellows:
- Learn the design and interpretation of research studies
- Learn to evaluate investigative methods and the interpretation of their data
- Develop competence in critical assessment of the medical literature and of the results of their work.
The first-year fellows are introduced to the research areas of the faculty at our weekly research conferences. During the early springtime of the first year, each first-year fellow will discuss projects with various faculty members and then decide on a research theme. Research opportunities are available in both clinical and basic science within the department in the areas of Sleep, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine. In addition, ample opportunities exist outside the department for joint research projects.
One faculty member acts as preceptor for the research project and meets frequently with the fellow to review their work. In addition, fellows, and faculty meet at weekly work-in-progress seminars to discuss ongoing projects. Visiting faculty from both American and International institutions visit the Pulmonary Division, meet with faculty and fellows, and lecture at pulmonary research conferences. It is expected that a fellow will initiate and complete 1-2 projects during their fellowship experience.
Fellows who desire to pursue an academic career are urged to stay beyond the third year to continue their research endeavors under the preceptorship of one of the faculty. Fellows are eligible for our T32 institutional research training grant via the NIH, which provides funding to obtain a Master’s degree through Brown University in the appropriate school as well as continued clinical experience, research mentorship, and career networking. Applicants interested in such a career are encouraged to express this interest on their application.
Areas of Active Research
Active Areas of Research Include:
- Sepsis (mechanisms and treatment)
- Knowledge translation
- Acute lung injury
- Pulmonary vascular disease (mechanisms and treatment)
- Pulmonary vascular permeability and endothelial dysfunction
- Extracorporeal life support
- Sleep medicine
- Women’s Lung and Sleep Health
- Systemic vascular co-morbidities of COPD
- Tuberculosis/NTM
- End-of-life care in the ICU
- Ethical and practical aspects of rationing medical care
- Health-related quality of life
- Role of Stem Cells, progenitor cells and extracellular vesicles in lung injury repair
- Pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung diseases”
Please refer to our Research Programs page for more in-depth information regarding the diverse and varied research opportunities available through our division.
Faculty Interviews Regarding Research
To view additional faculty interviews please visit our YouTube page.
Former Fellow’s Research Projects and Publications
Below are publications which one or more fellows worked on or completed during their fellowship at Brown.
Roger Auth, MD – Graduated 2023
- Auth R, Klinger JR. Emerging pharmacotherapies for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2023 Jul-Dec;32(11):1025-1042. doi: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2274439. Epub 2023 Nov 24. PMID: 37881882.
- Auth R, Catanese S, Banerjee D. Integrating Primary Care into the Management of Cystic Fibrosis. J Prim Care Community Health. 2023 Jan-Dec;14:21501319231173811. doi: 10.1177/21501319231173811. PMID: 37158604; PMCID: PMC10176593.
- Rhoads S, Auth R, Chambers A, Blundin M, Mahoney L, McLaughlin S, Banerjee D. Perceptions and Use of E-cigarettes among Young Adults with Cystic Fibrosis: An Observational Study. R I Med J (2013). 2023 Aug 1;106(7):58-63. PMID: 37494629.
- Boyd C, Auth RD, Blundin M, Banerjee D. Updates on the Management of Cystic Fibrosis: Development of Modulators and Advancement of Antibiotic Therapies. R I Med J (2013). 2021 Sep 1;104(7):20-25. PMID: 34437661.
Rachel Darling, MD – Graduated 2023
- Jang D, Darling R, Choudhary G, Jankowich M. Hemorrhagic Adverse Events of Transthoracic Needle Biopsy of the Lung in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2024 Apr 27:S1051-0443(24)00319-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2024.04.015. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38685471.
- Khawaja HR, Greene SM, Darling R. Redesigning the sub-internship experience in internal medicine. Med Educ. 2023 May;57(5):480. doi: 10.1111/medu.15034. Epub 2023 Feb 22. PMID: 36814070.
Daniel Dustin, MD – Graduated 2023
- Dustin D, Martin D. The Evolving Continuum of Diagnosis in the Modern Age of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. R I Med J (2013). 2021 Sep 1;104(7):36-41. PMID: 34437664.
Michael Simon, MD – Graduated 2023
- Simon M, Simmons JE. A Review of Respiratory Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) and the Potential Benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation. R I Med J (2013). 2022 Sep 1;105(7):11-15. PMID: 35930484.
Christoper Theroux, MD – Graduated 2023
- Theroux CD, Aliotta JM, Mullin CJ. High-Risk Pulmonary Embolism: Current Evidence-Based Practices. R I Med J (2013). 2019 Dec 2;102(10):43-47. PMID: 31795534.
Maya Cohen, MD – Graduated 2022
- Monaghan SF, Fredericks AM, Jentzsch MS, Cioffi WG, Cohen M, Fairbrother WG, Gandhi SJ, Harrington EO, Nau GJ, Reichner JS, Ventetuolo CE, Levy MM, Ayala A. Deep RNA Sequencing of Intensive Care Unit Patients with COVID-19. medRxiv [Preprint]. 2021 Jan 13:2021.01.11.21249276. doi: 10.1101/2021.01.11.21249276. PMID: 33469603; PMCID: PMC7814849.
- Cohen M, Monaghan SF. Hemorrhagic shock and fluid dynamics. Physiol Rep. 2021 Mar;9(6):e14813. doi: 10.14814/phy2.14813. PMID: 33769690; PMCID: PMC7995542.
Julia Munchel, MD – Graduated 2022
- Munchel JK, Shea BS. Diagnosis and Management of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. R I Med J (2013). 2021 Sep 1;104(7):26-29. PMID: 34437662.
Navneet Singh, MD – Graduated 2022
- Singh N, Dorfmüller P, Shlobin OA, Ventetuolo CE. Group 3 Pulmonary Hypertension: From Bench to Bedside. Circ Res. 2022 Apr 29;130(9):1404-1422. doi: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.121.319970. Epub 2022 Apr 28. PMID: 35482836; PMCID: PMC9060386.
- Singh N, Ventetuolo CE. Prime Time for Proteomics in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Risk Assessment? Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2022 May 1;205(9):988-990. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202201-0040ED. PMID: 35143371.
- Singh N, Mullin CJ. Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension. R I Med J (2013). 2021 Sep 1;104(7):30-35. PMID: 34437663.
Evan Smith, MD – Graduated 2022
- Smith EJ, Gartman EJ. The Clinical Utility of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing. R I Med J (2013). 2021 Sep 1;104(7):14-19. PMID: 34437660.
Nicholas Nassikas, MD – Graduated 2021
- Nassikas N, Malhame I, Miller M, Bourjeily G. Pulmonary considerations in pregnant women. Clinics in Chest Medicine (in press).
- Fann N, Nolte C, Sarofim M, Martinich J, Nassikas N. Associations between simulated future changes in climate, air quality, and human health. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Jan;4(1).
- Anenberg S, Haines S, Wang E, Nassikas N, Kinney P. Synergistic health effects of air pollution, temperature, and pollen exposure: a systematic review of epidemiological evidence. Environ Health. 2020 Dec; 19(130).
- Nassikas N, Monteiro JFG, Pashnik B, Lynch J, Carino G, Levinson AT. Intensive care unit rounding checklists to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2020 Mar 4:1-4.
- Nassikas N, Spangler K, Fann N, Nolte CG, Dolwick P, Spero TL, Sheffield P, Wellenius GA. Ozone-related asthma emergency department visits in the US in a warming climate. Environ Res. 2020 Jan 31;183:109206.
- Nassikas N, Baird G, Duffy C. Improving Advance Care Planning in a Resident Primary Care Clinic. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2020 Mar;37(3):185-190.
Yevgeniy Vayntraub – Graduated 2021
- Vayntrub, Y., Gartman, E., Nici, L., Jankowich M.D. Diagnostic Performance of the Herder Malignancy Risk Prediction Model in Veterans Undergoing Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scans for Pulmonary Nodule Evaluation. American Thoracic Society International Conference. May 2021. ePoster Presentation.
- Vayntrub, Y., Banerjee, D. Disseminated Mucormycosis in a Young Patient with Diabetic Ketoacidosis. American Thoracic Society International Conference. May 2021. ePoster Presentation.
- Yee, D., Cangemi, R., Osler, B., Cox, K.E., Vayntrub, Y., Mullin, C.J. Profound Shock from Metformin-Induced Lactic Acidosis in a Patient with End Stage Liver Disease and Hepatic Encephalopathy. American Thoracic Society International Conference, Philadelphia, PA. May 2020. Poster Presentation.
Zoe Vazquez, MD – Graduated 2020
- Vazquez ZGS, Klinger JR. Guidelines for the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Lung. 2020 Aug;198(4):581-596.
- Vazquez ZGS, Sodha NR, Devers C, Ventetuolo CE, Abbasi A. Prevalence of Deep Vein Thrombosis in Patients Supported With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. ASAIO J. 2021 Jan 11.
Jisoo Lee, MD – Graduated 2020
- Lee J, Ward NS. Emerging Ethical Challenges in Critical Care for the 21st Century: A Case-Based Discussion. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2019;40(5):655-661.
- Lee J, Levy MM. Treatment of Patients with Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock: Current Evidence-Based Practices. R I Med J (2013). 2019;102(10):18-21. Published 2019 Dec 2.
- Lee J, Banerjee D. Metabolomics and the Microbiome as Biomarkers in Sepsis. Crit Care Clin. 2020;36(1):105-113.
Mohammed Nayeemuddin, MD – Graduated 2019
- Corl KA, Azab N, Nayeemuddin M, et al. Performance of a 25% Inferior Vena Cava Collapsibility in Detecting Fluid Responsiveness When Assessed by Novice Versus Expert Physician Sonologists [published online ahead of print, 2019 Oct 14]. J Intensive Care Med. 2019;885066619881123.
- Abbasi A, Nayeemuddin M, Azab N, et al. Respiratory Variation in Carotid Artery Peak Systolic Velocity Is Unable to Predict Fluid Responsiveness in Spontaneously Breathing Critically Ill Patients When Assessed by Novice Physician Sonologists [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jun 29]. J Intensive Care Med. 2020;885066620934392.
Andrew Schiff, MD – Graduated 2019
- Gartman E, Jankowich M, Baptiste J, Schiff A, Nici L. Outcomes of the First Three Years of a Lung Cancer Screening Program at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2018;15(11):1362-1365.
James Simmons, MD – Graduated 2019
- Simmons J, Ventetuolo CE. Cardiopulmonary monitoring of shock. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2017;23(3):223-231.
Christopher Dado, MD – Graduated 2018
- Dado CD, Levinson AT, Bourjeily G. Pregnancy and Pulmonary Embolism. Clin Chest Med. 2018;39(3):525-537.
- Corl KA, Dado C, Agarwal A, et al. A modified Montpellier protocol for intubating intensive care unit patients is associated with an increase in first-pass intubation success and fewer complications. J Crit Care. 2018;44:191-195.
Michael Prodromou, MD – Graduated 2018
- Corl KA, Prodromou M, Merchant RC, et al. The Restrictive IV Fluid Trial in Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock (RIFTS): A Randomized Pilot Study. Crit Care Med. 2019;47(7):951-959.
Daniel Gutman, MD – Graduated 2018
- Raghunathan V, Pelcovits A, Gutman D, Carino G. Cardiogenic shock from coronary vasculitis in granulomatosis with polyangiitis. BMJ Case Rep. 2017;2017:bcr2017220233. Published 2017 Jun 29.
Tim Amass, MD – Graduated 2017
- Corl KA, Dado C, Agarwal A, Azab N, Amass T, Marks SJ, Levy MM, Merchant RC, Aliotta J. A modified Montpellier protocol for intubating intensive care unit patients is associated with an increase in first-pass intubation success and fewer complications. J Crit Care. 2018;44:191-195.
- Amass T, Cumplido J, Aswad B, Whittenhall M, Ventetuolo C, Klinger J. Rapid development of pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure due to large vessel intravascular microcrystalline cellulosis in an intravenous drug user. Pulm Circ. 2020;10(1):2045894020907871. Published 2020 Apr 6.
- Amass TH, Villa G, OMahony S, et al. Family Care Rituals in the ICU to Reduce Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Family Members-A Multicenter, Multinational, Before-and-After Intervention Trial. Crit Care Med. 2020;48(2):176-184.
Andrew Foderaro, MD – Graduated 2017
- Foderaro A, Ventetuolo CE. Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and the Sex Hormone Paradox. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2016;18(11):84.
- Foderaro AE, Reagan JL. Hodgkin lymphoma mimicking lung abscess. Blood. 2016;128(25):3011.
- Baird GL, Archer-Chicko C, Barr RG, Bluemke DA, Foderaro AE, Fritz JS, Hill NS, Kawut SM, Klinger JR, Lima JAC, Mullin CJ, Ouyang P, Palevsky HI, Palmisicano AJ, Pinder D, Preston IR, Roberts KE, Smith KA, Walsh T, Whittenhall M, Ventetuolo CE. Lower DHEA-S levels predict disease and worse outcomes in post-menopausal women with idiopathic, connective tissue disease- and congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension. Eur Respir J. 2018;51(6):1800467. Published 2018 Jun 28.
Janelle Baptiste, MD – Graduated 2017
- Gartman E, Jankowich M, Baptiste J, Schiff A, Nici L. Outcomes of the First Three Years of a Lung Cancer Screening Program at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2018;15(11):1362-1365.
- Balachandran JS, Thomson CC, Sumter DB, Shelgikar AV, Lachapelle P, Pamidi S, Fall M, Lal C, Baba RY, Shah N, Fields BG, Sarmiento K, Butler MP, Shea SA, Baptiste JV, Sharkey KM, Wang T. ATS Core Curriculum 2016: Part I. Adult Sleep Medicine. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2016;13(4):549-561.
- Okereke IC, Bates MF, Jankowich MD, Rounds SI, Kimble BA, Baptiste JV, Ng TT, Nici LL. Effects of Implementation of Lung Cancer Screening at One Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Chest. 2016;150(5):1023-1029.
Amanpreet Kaur, MD – Graduated 2017
- Pengo MF, Banerjee D, Kaur A, Bourjeily G. Sleep disordered breathing in pregnancy: Food for thought. Obstet Med. 2016;9(4):153-155.
- Kaur AP, Levinson AT, Monteiro JFG, Carino GP. The impact of errors on healthcare professionals in the critical care setting. J Crit Care. 2019;52:16-21.