Professional Bio
Jessica Blackburn, PhD, is a Research Instructor in the Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine in the Department of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She obtained her PhD from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Cellular Physiology.
Dr. Blackburn's research interests include exploring changes in cellular composition and cellular identity in airway epithelial cells in COPD. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and often fatal lung disease that is closely associated with long-term exposure to cigarette smoke and other inhaled irritants. Prior research has shown that the cells lining the smallest airways in the lung are abnormal in patients with COPD and these abnormalities contribute to the symptoms of COPD in a variety of ways. Dr. Blackburn's research centers on understanding abnormal cell biology in these small airways and exploring potential mechanisms contributing to epithelial dysfunction with the goal of identifying targets for future therapeutics.
Education
PhD - Cellular Physiology and Biophysics - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 2018
Fellowship - Post-Doc - Vanderbilt University, 2021
Contact
Email
Kimryn.Rathmell@Vumc.Org
Address
777 Preston Research Building
2220 Pierce Ave
Nashville, TN 37232-6307