Current Lab Members
Robert Tighe
Principal Investigator
Dr. Robert M. Tighe M.D. is an Associate Professor of Medicine and an Associate Professor in the Environmental Natural Sciences Division at Duke University. He is Vice Chief for Research in the Division of Pulmonary Allergy and Critical Care and Director of the Duke University School of Medicine Climate and Health Research Initiative (CHeRI). He is a physician-scientist whose research is focused on defining susceptibility factors for lung effects of air pollutants.
Get in Touch: robert.tighe@duke.edu
Ian Cumming
Lab Research Analyst II
B.S. Applied Biological Sciences University of the West of England 1991
Doctoral candidate (incomplete) in Microbiology & Immunology East Carolina University, School of Medicine 1995
Ian coordinates & supports flow cytometry work for the Tighe Lab, other Pulmonary investigators & Duke / non-Duke collaborators. Principally, sample preparation/staining, acquisition & analyses of immune cell populations in both animal & human models subsequent to controlled pulmonary exposure to environmental pollutants of concern (Ozone, Carbon Black et al). He also contributes flow cytometry to studies examining murine models of bone fracture & pain stress. Specifically determining the distribution & immune cell bias in multiple tissues/organs. Finally, he supports collaborative studies examining the efficacy of diagnostic XeMRI in IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) patients. Coordinate the accession & processing of patient samples.
Get in Touch: ian.cumming@duke.edu
Claudia Salazar
Clinical Research Coordinator
Claudia facilitates the day to day activities and study management of actively enrolling studies and studies in the start-up phase. Current projects include:
Genentech MRI Study (Pro00101911) – “Using Xenon MRI to Evaluate the Efficacy of Therapies for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis” – actively enrolling
BI MRI ILD Study (Pro00109322)- “Using 129Xenon MRI to Evaluate the Response to Therapies and progression in Interstitial Lung Disease” – actively enrolling
MOZEPH Study (Pro00100375)- “Mechanisms of Ozone-Induced Alterations in Efferocytosis and Phagocytosis” – actively enrolling
ONES Study (Pro00088966)- “CXCL10/CXCR3 Regulation of Ozone-Induced Epithelial Permeability”- actively enrolling
MOLI Study (Pro00110603) – “Macrophage Regulation of Ozone-Induced Lung Inflammation”- study start-up
Get in Touch: claudia.salazar@duke.edu
Tenley Weil
Graduate Student
Tenley earned her B.S. in Neurobiology from the University of Washington in 2018. After graduating, she did a fellowship at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in the Section on Light and Circadian Rhythms. Her work at the NIMH characterized how a novel brain region mediates the effects of light on mood-related behaviors. As a doctoral scholar at Duke University, Tenley now studies air pollution, with an emphasis on ozone. Her work focuses on identifying susceptible sub-populations and the mechanisms of injury using primary human airway epithelial cells.
Cameron Rankin
Graduate Student
Cameron earned his B.S. in Biology with a major in Hispanic Studies from Davidson College in 2021. As an undergraduate, he conducted research examining the cytotoxicity of waterpipe tobacco smoke on alveolar cells. He also spent two years at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases investigating the effect of CHIP mutations on inflammation and investigating suitability of serum biomarkers in monitoring active inflammation in Takayasu’s arteritis. He is currently a third year PhD student interested in combining his prior research in toxicology and human health to understand how exposures affect health outcomes and the environment.
Jean Chung
Undergraduate
Jean is a senior in the Tighe Lab investigating genetic susceptibility factors to ozone exposure. This project has sparked her curiosity on the effects of the environment on the immune system, and led her to pursue dual majors in Biology and Environmental Science at Duke University. She plans to continue exploring her interests in environmental health through a career that integrates medicine, research, and advocacy.
Past Lab Members
Researchers: Aaron Vose, Anastasiya Birukova, Michaela Albright
PhD Students: Marissa Guttenburg
Undergraduate Students: Kaitlyn Lewars
