Ross Summer, MD

Critical Care Medicine
Pulmonary Disease
Internal Medicine

Research in my laboratory centers on uncovering the molecular and cellular mechanisms that contribute to organ dysfunction following pulmonary injury. A key focus is the interplay between cellular signaling pathways and the processes of injury and repair in critical lung cell types, including epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and alveolar macrophages. Through a range of experimental models, we examine how acute insults and chronic stressors impact cellular resilience and function. We are particularly interested in how genetic predisposition, aging, and environmental exposures shape the lung's metabolic capacity to adapt and recover from injury. As a practicing physician, my goal is to translate these insights into clinical practice by identifying the molecular drivers of diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and acute respiratory distress syndrome, ultimately leading to the development of more effective therapies for these severe lung conditions.