Dr. Hongmei Zhang
A University of Memphis professor has won a grant from a major government institution that supports research to understand the causes, preventions and treatments for asthma.Â
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health has awarded a team of researchers led by Hongmei Zhang, an associate professor in the Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Environmental Health at the U of M, a research grant to study childhood asthma.Â
“Childhood asthma is a significant problem for many Memphis families,†dean of the School of Public Health Lisa Klesges said. “This is a great example of nationally recognized research at the University of Memphis that can lead to future benefits in reduced disease burden in our community.â€Â
Memphis joins several universities from around the United States in looking into the gender-switch in adolescent asthma.Â
“Asthma is more common among boys before adolescence than among girls, but after adolescence, more females suffer from asthma,†Zhang said. “This switchover drew our attention to explore the role of epigenetics.â€Â
The research team includes researchers and clinicians from several universities, including the University of Bristol, the University of Southampton and Michigan State University, said Klesges, in a press release issued by the University of Memphis.Â
“I have been working closely with researchers and clinicians on our team for more than 8 years,†Zhang said.Â
Early prevention of asthma is vital to lessening the burden of the high-impact and avoidable disease, according to the press release.Â
The researchers hope the project will help prevent the prevalence and promote the decline of asthma during adolescence.Â
“Our ultimate goal with these findings is to help health practitioners to predict asthma at an earlier age, reduce asthma risk factors in adolescence, and prevent new incidence especially among girls,†Zhang said. “Our research will lead us one step closer to diminish the prevalence of asthma."
