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The American Lung Association has selected UIC Research Assistant Professor Md Zahid Akhter, PhD, from the lab of University of Illinois Cancer Center member Dolly Mehta, PhD, for its Catalyst Award. 

The award supports early-career investigators pursuing a career in lung disease research, with a mentor who has a history of lung disease research. The grant award is $50,000 per year up to two years, starting July 1, 2025. It will support his project, “DNMT3a Mediated DNA Methylation Promotes Endothelial Inflammation and Cell Death in Acute Lung Injury.”

Pictured: Md Zahid Akhter, PhD

The Mehta Lab is in the Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, part of UIC. The lab’s research includes vascular biology, lung biology and pathophysiology, inflammation signaling mechanisms, and cell receptors and signaling. 

Akhter’s project abstract is excerpted here:  The proposed study will investigate the novel role of endothelial DNA methyltransferase in disrupting lung vascular homeostasis and moderating pulmonary inflammation. This research will fundamentally advance our understanding of how DNA methylation acts as a crucial checkpoint of the endothelial cell death. Moreover, the study will define DNA methyltransferase 3A as a druggable target for reprogramming the endothelial methylome to promote vascular repair and resolution of acute lung injury.