The American Lung Association in Virginia has awarded a $50,000 Catalyst grant to Dr. In Su Cheon from the University of Virginia. This grant is renewable for an additional year, potentially totaling $100,000. Dr. Cheon's research focuses on understanding how certain immune responses can lead to COVID-19 following viral pneumonia.
Over the past year, the American Lung Association Research Institute has invested $22 million in research, making it one of the largest lung health programs in the country. The association funded 139 research grants across various initiatives aimed at identifying, treating, and curing lung diseases.
Deb Brown, Chief Mission Officer at the Lung Association, stated: “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... supporting research on COVID-19 and much more.” She emphasized that lung research is critical in Pennsylvania due to over a million residents living with lung disease and expressed honor in welcoming Dr. Cheon to their team.
Dr. Cheon's work aims to explore how CD4+ tissue-resident helper T cells—an immune cell population—play a role in chronic lung conditions post-viral pneumonia like COVID-19. This could enhance understanding of chronic lung diseases' cellular and molecular basis and potentially lead to new prevention or treatment methods for conditions such as "long COVID."
The awards were distributed across various categories addressing different aspects of lung disease, including several specific awards such as the American Lung Association/AAAAI Allergic Respiratory Diseases Award and the Innovation Award.
Research projects supported by the Lung Association undergo rigorous scientific peer review processes. The association is currently accepting applications for its 2025-2026 research awards cycle.
For further details about active funding opportunities or information about new grant awardees and the full American Lung Association Research Team, interested parties are encouraged to visit their website at Lung.org/awards or Lung.org/research-team.
