Lydia Chelala

Dr. Lydia Chelala is an Associate Professor in the Department of Radiology at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine. Her primary focus is thoracic imaging with specialized expertise in lung cancer screening, interstitial lung disease, and pulmonary fibrosis. She maintains an active research program with over 40 publications spanning from 2015 to the present.

Dr. Chelala's research interests center on advanced thoracic imaging techniques and their clinical applications. She has made significant contributions to the development and refinement of lung cancer screening protocols, particularly through her work on Lung-RADS (Lung Reporting and Data System). Her research also explores the imaging characteristics of interstitial lung diseases, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and pulmonary fibrosis patterns. She has published extensively on the reverse halo sign, classic chest radiograph patterns, and the diagnostic challenges of pulmonary conditions in emergency settings.

Her publication record shows a clear upward trajectory with increasing output and impact, from 1 publication in 2015 to 6 publications in the current year (2025). Her work spans multiple disciplines including radiology, pulmonology, cardiology, and molecular biology, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to thoracic imaging research. Many of her recent publications involve collaboration with pulmonologists and participation in multidisciplinary clinics for interstitial lung disease.

Dr. Chelala serves on expert panels including the ACR (American College of Radiology) Appropriateness Criteria for Thoracic Imaging and has contributed to major narrative reviews in prominent radiology journals. She has been instrumental in implementing specialized clinics for interstitial lung abnormalities and promoting multidisciplinary approaches to complex pulmonary conditions.

Her work extends to medical education, where she has published educational materials for residents on chest radiograph interpretation and classic imaging signs. She has also investigated the intersection of radiology with public health issues, particularly regarding lung cancer screening eligibility criteria and patient attitudes toward screening and smoking cessation.