Interstitial Lung Disease Projects

The University of Utah Health offers cutting edge research in pulmonary diseases such as COPD, IPF, sarcoidosis, and other interstitial lung disease. The University of Utah Lung Health Research Center serves as a major clinical research site for patients suffering from interstitial lung disease, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

The University of Utah Health is a pulmonary fibrosis foundation designated Care Center. One of 26 academic medical centers that "excel in the treatment of IPF". As a dedicated IPF research center and the only IPF network research center within the Mountain West, patients from Utah, Idaho, Montana, and other surrounding states are often referred to our center for pharmacological trials in pursuit of better therapies to treat early and later stages of IPF.

Dr. Mary Beth Scholand is program director for the IPF Clinical Program and a widely recognized expert in treating this disease. Under Dr. Scholand’s direction, the ILD Clinical Research Group hosts regular IPF support group meetings for those diagnosed with IPF and their family members.

In addition to the clinical research efforts in IPF, Dr. Scholand is passionate about understanding the genetic basis of this disease. With the support of her patients and their families, Dr. Scholand has created extensive database of samples.

Systemic Sclerosis

In close collaboration with Rheumatology, Dr. Scholand participates in a variety of clinical research projects to seek new and better treatments for those affected with SSc.

Sarcoidosis

The ILD group is involved with ongoing research examining therapies for sarcoidosis and sarcoidosis-related pulmonary hypertension.

Chronic Cough

Dr. Krishna Sundar continues his work in chronic cough. New projects include pharmacological clinical trial and ongoing examination CPAP in chronic cough.

Our Research

Without effective treatment for many of these diseases, physicians are left only addressing symptoms.