American Lung Association Awards Columbus Researcher Grant to Study Enzyme Potential in Fighting Influenza

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 prompt 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 “Emerging Respiratory Pathogens Award” grant to Yohannes Mebratu, PhD, DVM from Ohio State University. Dr. Mebratu’s research will focus on ARIH2 enzymes, which break down a protein that increases influenza severity in humans by helping the virus replicate. Increasing these enzymes might aid in the development of new treatments ¬─ a relevant topic of study as influenza resistance to antiviral drugs has become a growing concern. 

“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 Brittany Sinzinger, Executive Director at the Lung Association. “With the widespread impact of influenza each and every year, furthering research towards novel ways to fight the virus is as important as ever. We are extremely honored to welcome Dr. Mebratu to join the elite American Lung Association Research Institute team.”

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 144 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/awards. For more information about the new grant awardees and the entire American Lung Association Research Team, visit Lung.org/research-team.