Milwaukee doctor wins American Lung Association award for pediatric lung research

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Jasmine Dowell, M.D. from The Medical College of Wisconsin has been honored with the Catalyst Award by the American Lung Association Research Institute. Dowell receives a $50,000 grant as part of her award, which can be renewed for another year, totaling $100,000.

The recognition holds significance for Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin, where 744,000 residents grapple with lung disease. The state also faces recurring challenges from respiratory viruses such as COVID-19 and influenza each year.

Dowell's award is part of a larger initiative by the institute, which has allocated $13.6 million in grants to support 129 projects aimed at ending lung disease.

The Catalyst Award was granted to Dowell for her research on Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, a pediatric lung condition. Her study focuses on understanding how oxygen disrupts proteins in children's lungs that control airway resistance.

The insights gained from this research aim to identify new treatment avenues for the condition, offering hope for improved lung health in children.