Meet the Research Team

Research Areas

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Ryan Lab Introduction

One of the major limitations to studying human lung disease is limited access to primary airway epithelial cells and poor recapitulation of human disease in rodent models, leading to fewer therapies making it to the clinic. To progress toward new therapeutics and eventually cures, it is imperative to study the human lung, including cells from the proximal conducting and distal gas exchange regions across a diverse spectrum of lung disease patients. My research program is focused on the development and utilization of iPSC models of human lung disease to overcome this critical lack of model systems that closely reflect disease pathogenesis as it occurs in humans. The Ryan laboratory focuses on applying in vitro, in vivo, iPSC and 3-D spheroid models including primary lung epithelial cells and state-of-the-art gene editing technologies to a) model and study mechanisms of lung development and disease, and b) investigate approaches for tissue regeneration and stem cell-mediated repair of the airway epithelium. To support this highly innovative program, we have established critical collaborations with clinicians, engineers, large animal research groups and bioinformaticians both within USC and around the world. Our long-term goal is to fully understand specification of specialized airway epithelial cell types from stem and progenitor cells in the human lung in the context of injury, regeneration and disease pathogenesis. Our primary research focus is on rare lung diseases where human samples are particularly difficult to obtain or from end stage disease, namely cystic fibrosis (CF) and primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD).

 

 

 

Looking for opportunities?

We are always looking for energetic, motivated, creative individuals who have a strong curiosity and desire to learn.  Please look through our research areas or contact us to to see if we have anything that could be a fit for you.

About the University of Iowa

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Upcoming Area Events

Our Water, Our Future: A Look at the Central Iowa Water Quality Report promotional image

Our Water, Our Future: A Look at the Central Iowa Water Quality Report

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Big Grove Brewery Iowa City
Join for a public presentation of findings from the Central Iowa Source Water Resource Assessment (CISWRA) report.
"Only a Mask" a new musical by Blake Cordell promotional image

"Only a Mask" a new musical by Blake Cordell

Thursday, October 30, 2025 7:30pm
The James Theatre
A workshop of a new musical about identity and superpowers written by a music composition graduate student as part of thesis research
Farm Tour at Kroul Farms promotional image

Farm Tour at Kroul Farms

Friday, October 31, 2025 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Kroul Farms

Join the Office of Sustainability and the Environment for a guided tour of Kroul Farms, a 1,250-acre family-owned farm located just 25 minutes from campus in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Owned in part by former Iowa Hawkeye and NFL football player Matt Kroul, the farm has been in the Kroul family for over 75 years.

Discover how the farm integrates row crops like corn, soybeans, and alfalfa with timber harvesting, pasture-raised beef cattle, and a thriving Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. You...

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