Robert Foronjy, M.D., is an associate professor of Medicine and chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. His research aims to advance the understanding of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis to develop improved methods for treating and monitoring this debilitating condition. Over the past 20 years, Dr. Foronjy has pioneered models of cigarette smoke exposure in mice and lung epithelial cells, using these models to demonstrate how antioxidants influence protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity to protect against smoke-induced lung injury. His lab has identified mechanisms to enhance lung PP2A activity, with the ultimate goal of translating these findings into innovative therapies to counteract the inflammatory and proteolytic processes characteristic of COPD. Additionally, Dr. Foronjy's team uncovered that the RNA-binding protein HuR is downregulated in the airway epithelium of individuals with COPD. This discovery is particularly significant, as HuR regulates the mRNA fate of genes critical to COPD pathogenesis. Dr. Foronjy's NIH-funded research explores how HuR loss modulates the transcriptome to promote airflow obstruction and increase smokers' susceptibility to lung cancer.

Lunch will be provided.

RSVP HERE by January 22.

This event is part of the Dr. Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Leadership in Healthcare and Medicine Lecture Series.