About
Wonnie Ryu, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at Yale School of Medicine. He specializes in diagnosing and treating interstitial lung diseases like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and sarcoidosis. His research focuses on mitochondrial DNA as a biomarker and pathogenic mediator in lung fibrosis, with translational studies on innate immunity and fibrotic mechanisms.
Education:
- BS: Emory University (2003)
- MPH: Dartmouth College (2004)
- MD: New York Medical College (2008)
Research Interests: Dr. Ryu investigates the role of extracellular mitochondrial DNA in disease progression, particularly in IPF and sarcoidosis. His work explores innate immune pathways (e.g., TLR9, CGAS-STING), fibroproliferative mechanisms, and potential therapeutic targets like α1-adrenergic receptor antagonism. He employs single-cell profiling and translational animal models to bridge basic science and clinical applications.
Awards & Grants:
- NIH/NHLBI K08 Award (2020)
- Parker B. Francis Foundation Award (2018)
- Boehringer Ingelheim IPF/ILD Discovery Award (2019)
- ATS Recognition of Early Academic Achievement (2018)
Lab Collaborations: Works closely with Erica Herzog, MD, PhD (Mentor), Naftali Kaminski, MD, and others in the Interstitial Lung Disease Program and Winchester Center for Lung Disease.