Kent Willis, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Neonatology, has been awarded the UAB Microbiome Center Pilot Grant to help fund his project titled, “The Gut-Lung Axis Shapes Innate Pulmonary Immunity in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.” This project will explore how bacteria and fungi that live in the gut and lungs interact with the innate immune system in the lungs.

“This pilot grant is designed to augment my K08 award (K08 HL151907) by generating pilot data that will allow me to delve deeper into the mechanism in future extramural grants,” explained Dr. Willis. “Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is the most severe lung complication of preterm birth and we hope to learn more about lung injury and repair through this research.”

Congratulations Dr. Willis!