American Lung Association Awards Cleveland Researcher Grant to Study T-Cell Response to Tuberculosis

We live in an age where the boundaries of science and medicine are constantly expanding. Novel research is consistently accompanied by questions that challenge our understanding of human conditions and prompts a need for further discovery. As such, the American Lung Association seeks to recognize and support innovative research initiatives that will contribute to a world free of lung disease and a healthy world for all. 

Today, the American Lung Association in Ohio announced that it awarded the “Innovation Award” grant to Stephen Carpenter, MD, PhD from Case Western Reserve University - School of Medicine to research T-Cell responses to tuberculosis and how they could assist in vaccine development.

T-Cells are a type of white blood cell that guide immune system response, recognition, and attack of foreign particles (antigens) in the body. Carpenter’s research will thoroughly investigate CD4 T-Cells, which specifically respond to the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. His study of these cells within individuals exposed to and infected by TB could help in developing a fully reliable vaccine. Although TB has been essentially eradicated in the United States since 1950, the devastating lung disease is still actively affecting 10 million people worldwide, today. 

“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 Kim Covey, Executive Director at the Lung Association in Ohio. “We are proud that lung research performed in Ohio will help to make waves in treating a disease that still impacts so many people. We are honored to have Dr. Carpenter on the elite American Lung Association Research Institute team, helping to fight for lung health for all.”

In total, the American Lung Association Research Institute announced a $22 million research investment in the past year, making it one of the largest programs in the country focused on lung health. The Lung Association funded 139 research grants, including the Airways Clinical Research Centers (ACRC), and strategic research partnerships focused on finding ways to identify, treat and cure lung disease.

Awards were given different categories addressing many 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 Lung Association are carefully selected through rigorous scientific peer review and awardees represent the investigation of a wide range of complex issues related to lung health.

The Lung Association is currently accepting applications for its 2025-2026 research awards and grants cycle. For more information about the active research funding opportunities, visit Lung.org/awards. For more information about the new grant awardees and the entire American Lung Association Research Team, visit Lung.org/research-team.