Meet the Researchers

Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis is the leading lung scarring charity committed to stopping lives being lost to pulmonary fibrosis. Supporting pioneering research and the ‘next generation’ of researchers will make a vital contribution to faster diagnosis, new and better treatments, and improved care for those affected by pulmonary fibrosis.

Our Conference Awards mean that the latest pulmonary fibrosis research findings are shared around the world. The award helps researchers to deepen their knowledge, strengthen their skills, and build crucial collaborations with other scientists. Our conference awards only made possible by the generosity of our supporters, and we need more people to donate to keep this vital research alive.

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About the research:

Anna’s work

Your DNA is organised into structures called chromosomes. A telomere is a protective ‘cap’ found on the end of chromosomes, like the plastic cap on a shoelace.  Telomeres naturally become shorter as we age. When telomeres become short prematurely this increases the risk for some diseases.

Research at the University of Exeter suggests that telomeres are shorter in people with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) compared to those without, and that this may play a role in lung scarring.  The sex hormones, oestrogen and testosterone, might help to protect telomeres from premature shortening. Anna wants to find out if giving sex hormone supplements to people with PF, could help them to live well for longer. As a first step, Anna has explored the relationship between sex hormone levels in people with PF, their telomere length, and lung function. Her findings presented at ATS, indicate a link between lower hormone levels and lung function. Her work confirms the need for a future clinical trial to evaluate the potential benefits of hormone supplements in the treatment of PF patients.

Kevin’s work

Kevin’s research focuses on understanding how small changes in our DNA, referred to as genetic variants, play a role in disease. Our genes provide instructions to make proteins, which act like ‘microscopic machines’ essential to all function in the body, Research has found that a genetic variant in the AKAP13 gene is more common in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) compared to people without pulmonary fibrosis. Kevin examined how this variant alters the AKAP13 protein in lung cells grown in the lab, and whether this caused the cells to act differently. Kevin’s findings presented at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) conference, suggest that this genetic variant plays a role in driving lung scarring. Kevin’s future work will further explore the role of AKAP13 using lung cells from patients with IPF. This will enable him to test new, and existing medicines used in other conditions, to see if they are able to counteract the effect of altered AKAP13.

Katherine’s work

A bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows an image or samples of tissue/cells to be taken from your lungs. Eosinophils, are a type of immune cell that may be present in the lungs. When present in higher numbers eosinophils are thought to be a sign of lung inflammation. Katherine wanted to find out if higher levels of these cells (eosinophilia) is common in interstitial lung disease.

Katherine found that nearly half the patients (46.3%) in her study with a diagnosis of ILD had eosinophilia. The study provided new insight suggesting that eosinophilia may be common in fibrotic lung diseases, as well as those which are predominantly inflammatory in nature. Katherine’s findings open-up a potential new avenue of research that could aid in the diagnosis and management of ILDs.

Laura’s work

Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) is a term used to describe small changes seen on an image of the lungs. A person with an ILA typically has no symptoms and normal lung function. It is not clear how ILAs are related to interstitial lung disease (ILD) like pulmonary fibrosis. Laura’s research focused on understanding the connection between ILAs  and pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Laura wanted to know the views of healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, etc.) specialising in PF, patients living with PF, and their family members, on national lung health screening programmes.

The insights from Laura’s study indicate that raising awareness about PF and its early signs and symptoms should be a priority. Professionals and people affected by PF were generally supportive of screening programs that could help detect PF sooner, but felt that more research is needed to fully determine their benefits and risks.

Catherine’s work

APF Mike Bray Fellow, Dr Richard Allen, identified that a genetic variant (a small change to a person’s DNA) is more commonly found in the PKN2 gene of people with IPF compared to those without IPF. Catherine took this finding forward to explore what role the PKN2 gene plays in driving lung scarring. Catherine used different types of lung cells, grown in the lab, to measure the effect of switching the PKN2 gene on and off in these cells. Catherine’s findings presented at the European Extracellular Matrix Pharmacology Congress, indicate for the first time that PKN2 may be involved in protecting the lungs from scarring. Further work is required to better understand what role altered PKN2 plays in pulmonary fibrosis, to aid in the identification of new or existing medicines that can slow lung scarring.

Opportunity to attend the conference:

The opportunity to attend and present my research to date has allowed me to connect with and meet other researchers who are also focusing on respiratory diseases and other fibrotic diseases. Making these connections gave me new ideas and thoughts about how I can continue and further develop my research for the remaining time of my PhD project.

– Catherine McMullan

These conferences are vital for networking, particularly in a niche such as pulmonary fibrosis. I am grateful for this sponsorship because it allowed me to meet face-to-face with international collaborators I had only met online.

– Dr Laura Fabbri

What’s hot in PF research:

A key highlight of the conference was the focus on the genetics of pulmonary fibrosis. Researchers presented ground-breaking work that have identified new genes associated with pulmonary fibrosis. These findings are crucial for developing targeted therapies and improving diagnosis. Updates on ongoing clinical trials showcased promising results, and the potential for new treatment options and bringing hope to patients and healthcare providers alike.

– Dr Bin (Kevin) Liu

There were fantastic presenters speaking about pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, drug discovery and new models which can be used for investigating lung diseases. I was especially interested in one of the keynote sessions which focused on the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a presentation which gave me ‘food for thought’ and some new ideas to consider for my own PhD project.

– Catherine McMullan

Although I’ve never been to the ATS conference before, I’ve heard that trial results are often announced there and it was good to hear updates on several possible new treatments coming through. Some trials haven’t worked but carry important lessons we can learn from, and others are sounding more hopeful. I think the future is looking brighter for ILD patients than it ever has before.

– Dr Anna Duckworth

Outcomes and actions:

My purpose has always been to help find better treatments and ultimately a cure for PF and as a direct consequence of attending this conference I shall be responding to the offers of support that are already coming in. Thank you APF for supporting my work and helping to bring these hopeful possibilities closer! – Dr Anna Duckworth

I very much enjoyed attending an interactive workshop on public speaking in medicine. As such, I am better equipped with the skills to communicate effectively with colleagues in person, through online platforms, and most importantly with patients. I have come away from ATS feeling incredibly grateful, inspired and excited for the future of medical research.

– Katherine Bowes

Want to get involved?

At APF, we know that supporting research into pulmonary fibrosis is a powerful motivator for many of us as supporters, volunteers or donors. By investing in research today, you will be providing vital support for generations to come, so that we can stop lives being lost to PF.”  

Join us this September to raise vital funds towards ground breaking new PF research .

APF funded research is only possible thanks to the support of our generous community of supporters. This year all funds raised during PF Awareness Month will do exactly that.  Get together with a group of loved ones, pick a date, a location and distance, and raise money – it's as simple as that! Every penny you raise will go towards improving our understanding of PF and making progress towards faster diagnosis, new and better treatments, symptom control, and improved services and care.

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Or can you make a gift today, to continue our vital work?

Every donation truly changes lives.

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Share your lived experience

Want to share your lived experience with scientists to help shape future PF research? Or work with us to create information or stories about research? Contact us at involvement@actionpf.org

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