Claire M. Doerschuk

Claire M. Doerschuk, MD is a Professor of Medicine and Pathology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. She serves as Director of the Center for Airways Disease and is a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her academic career has focused on pulmonary immunology and host defense mechanisms in the lungs.

Dr. Doerschuk's research addresses host defense mechanisms in the lungs, particularly the inflammatory and innate immune processes that are important in the pathogenesis of bacterial pneumonia, acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome, and lung disease induced by environmental toxins. Her work employs in vivo, translational, imaging, cell biological, immunological, molecular and multi-omic approaches to investigate leukocyte recruitment, edema, and lung injury. She studies pathogens causing community-acquired and nosocomial pneumonias, particularly in immunocompromised cancer patients, with the goal of developing therapies that can enhance beneficial inflammatory responses while dampening harmful ones.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a continued focus on neutrophil biology, inflammatory signaling pathways, and lung injury mechanisms. Her work spans from basic molecular mechanisms to clinical applications, with increasing attention to environmental lung disease and translational approaches to treat inflammatory lung conditions. The research shows consistent investigation of leukocyte-endothelial interactions, cytokine signaling, and the cellular mechanisms underlying pulmonary inflammation.

Dr. Doerschuk has received numerous prestigious awards including the Distinguished Achievement Award from the American Thoracic Society (2016), the Parker B. Francis Lectureship (2006), the Elizabeth Rich MD Award (2003), and Fellowship in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (1999). She has also been recognized with the American Thoracic Society Recognition Award for Scientific Accomplishment (1998) and the American Lung Association Career Investigator Award (1990-1995).

She has served as Principal Investigator on multiple NIH R01 grants investigating lung microenvironment and neutrophil responses during pneumonia and acute lung injury. Dr. Doerschuk also served as Chair of the NIH Study Section on Lung Injury, Resolution and Repair (2008-2010) and as Multi-PI of the UNC Research Training Program in Respiratory Diseases and Critical Care. Her grant portfolio demonstrates sustained NIH funding for innovative research in pulmonary inflammation and host defense.

As Director of the Center for Airways Disease, Dr. Doerschuk leads a collaborative research effort focused on understanding the conceptual and mechanistic basis of airway diseases. The center brings together investigators studying various aspects of airway biology, inflammation, and disease pathogenesis to advance knowledge and develop new therapeutic approaches for patients with airway disorders.