The American Lung Association in Pennsylvania has announced the awarding of a $75,000 Innovation Award grant to Dr. Riyue Bao from UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at the University of Pittsburgh. This grant is renewable for an additional year, totaling $150,000. Dr. Bao will conduct research on how signals from tumor cells might influence the effectiveness of immunotherapy for lung squamous cell cancer.
The American Lung Association Research Institute has committed $22 million to research over the past year, making it one of the largest programs in the United States dedicated to lung health. The organization funded 139 research grants, including those through its Airways Clinical Research Centers and strategic partnerships aimed at identifying, treating, and curing lung diseases.
“In 2024, the American Lung Association is celebrating 120 years of funding lifesaving research. Lung Association researchers have achieved major milestones, including helping end the devastation of tuberculosis in this country, saving millions of lives of premature babies with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), supporting research on COVID-19 and much more,” said Deb Brown, Chief Mission Officer at the Lung Association. “Here in Pennsylvania, lung research is critical because [2,168,000 residents are living with lung disease. We are honored to welcome Dr. Riyue Bao to join the elite American Lung Association Research Institute team.”
Dr. Bao's project will investigate a tumor pathway known as p38 MAPK that may enable tumors to resist immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), a common form of immunotherapy. Insights into this pathway could enhance ICI efficacy and lead to new treatment options for patients.
The awards were distributed across various categories addressing multiple aspects of lung disease: American Lung Association/AAAAI Allergic Respiratory Diseases Award; American Lung Association/ATS/CHEST Foundation Respiratory Health Equity Research Award; Catalyst Award; Emerging Respiratory Diseases (formerly COVID-19 Respiratory Virus Research Award); Public Health & Public Policy Research Award; Hastings Innovation Award for Interstitial Lung Disease; Dalsemer Interstitial Lung Disease Award; Innovation Award; and the Lung Cancer Discovery Award.
Research projects funded by the association undergo rigorous scientific peer review and cover a wide range of complex issues related to lung health.
The association is currently accepting applications for its 2025-2026 research awards and grants cycle. For more information about active research funding opportunities or details about new grant awardees and the entire American Lung Association Research Team, visit Lung.org/awards or Lung.org/research-team.
