Daniel J. Tschumperlin

Daniel J. Tschumperlin, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering and a Consultant in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. His research is centered at the intersection of lung mechanics, cellular function, and disease progression, with a focus on pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania
• M.S. in Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania
• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Rice University

Research Interests:
Dr. Tschumperlin's work explores how mechanical forces regulate lung structure and function. His lab investigates the role of tissue stiffness, myofibroblast activation, and epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in fibrotic lung diseases. Using atomic force microscopy and engineered tissue models, his team studies mechanotransduction pathways that drive fibrosis. The overarching goal is to identify novel therapeutic targets to halt or reverse lung remodeling.

Recent Research Trends:
His most recent publications (2020–2025) highlight a shift toward multi-omics approaches, redox biology, and regenerative strategies. Key themes include fibroblast heterogeneity, extracellular vesicle-mediated repair, dopamine receptor signaling in fibrosis, and alveolar regeneration. His work increasingly integrates precision-cut lung slices, patient-derived models, and metabolic reprogramming in fibroblasts.

Scientific Awards:

• No specific awards listed in the provided text.

Advising and Grants:
Dr. Tschumperlin serves as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-PI on multiple NIH- and U.S. Army-funded grants. His current projects include studies on fibrogenic memory in lung mesenchyme, dopamine D1 receptor agonism for reversing fibrosis, and epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in fibrosis resolution. His lab supports postdoctoral fellowships and training grant programs, though specific student advisees are not listed.

Laboratories and Teams:
He leads the Tissue Repair and Mechanobiology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, which is affiliated with the Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics and the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center. The lab employs a multidisciplinary team to study lung organoids, cell-cell communication, and matrix remodeling using advanced imaging and biomechanical tools.