Samir Kelada

Samir Kelada is an Associate Professor in the Department of Genetics at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. His research focuses on gene-environment interactions in airway diseases, particularly asthma, using a systems genetics approach to study genetic determinants of gene expression and disease susceptibility.

• Institution: University of North Carolina School of Medicine
• Email: samir_kelada@med.unc.edu

Research Interests:

Dr. Kelada's lab investigates how genetic variation and environmental exposures (e.g., ozone, allergens) jointly influence respiratory health. Key areas include:

• Systems genetics of airway diseases
• Gene-environment interaction mapping
• Transcriptomic responses to environmental toxins
• Computational genomics of lung epithelia
• Mouse models of asthma and COPD
• Regulation of mucin production and mucociliary clearance

Recent Research Trends: The lab's publications demonstrate expertise in ozone exposure effects, Collaborative Cross mouse models, mucin regulation, and integrative multi-omics approaches across human and mouse systems.

Scientific Awards:

• NIH/NHLBI F31 Fellowship (Sarah Lester)
• NIH/NHLBI F31 Fellowship (Lauren Donoghue)
• Golberg Fellowship in Toxicology (Greg Smith)
• Joy Cappel Young Investigator Award (Samir Kelada)

Training & Collaboration: The lab has mentored numerous graduate students and postdocs, secured multiple NIH grants (R01, R21), and maintains active collaborations with the Furey Lab on computational genomics projects.