Laurie Christine Eldredge, MD, PhD

Research Project:
Investigating Airway Epithelial Cell Injury and Maladaptive Repair in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Grant Awarded:

Innovation Award

Research Topics:

basic biologic mechanisms
modeling

Research Diseases:

bronchopulmonary dysplasia
COPD

Premature birth halts normal lung development, resulting in the chronic lung disease Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and lifelong reductions in lung function. BPD affects at least 50,000 premature infants each year in the U.S. and more than 40 percent of those born at less than 28 weeks gestational age. Despite many advances in neonatal care, there are no preventive or disease-modifying treatments for BPD. An increasing number of infants with BPD develop persistent airway disease; in fact, 30 percent of premature infants with severe BPD develop Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) as young adults. We have a critical knowledge gap in understanding how disrupted airway development, recurrent airway injuries, and maladaptive repair intersect. This study will identify and link novel cellular and molecular data with clinical measures of airway disease in premature infants with BPD-associated airway disease. The overarching goal of this research is to provide mechanistic insight for future development of targeted therapies.

Page last updated: September 23, 2026

Laurie Christine Eldredge, MD, PhD

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