Three people speaking at a panel

Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine Research

Research performed within the U-M Medical School Department of Internal Medicine Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine has greatly impacted our understanding of basic lung biology, disease pathogenesis and targeted therapeutics. 

NIH grant funding for research within the Division exceeds 13 million dollars annually. Our investigative portfolio is comprehensive, with specific areas of emphasis including pulmonary inflammation, lung injury and repair, fibrotic lung disorders, host defense, lung transplantation, and lung cancer.

New major areas of modern biology have emerged, including genetics/genomics, metagenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, stem cell biology, computational biology, and the microbiome. Researchers in the division participate in large multidisciplinary and multicenter disease-specific programs and networks in interstitial lung disease (IPFnet, COMET, LTRC), COPD (SPIROMICS, COPD gene, LTRC), and Acute Lung Injury (SCOR, SCCOR, ARDSnet).

Emerging fields of patient-oriented research have been added or expanded, including health services research and sleep. Active areas of health services research include long-term functional outcomes in survivors of critical illness, nosocomial infection, delirium in the ICU, health care utilization and health care policy.

Featured News & Stories

See all news
3 Wishes CCMU Team Jakob McSparron, MD; Sara Didoszak MSN, RN; Diana Brown MSW; Maddie Lagina, MD, MPH; Abi Beutler RN
Department News

Critical Care Program Fulfills Patients’ Final Wishes, Bringing Comfort to Last Moments

Launched by our CCMU team in February 2025, the 3 Wishes Program helps patient-facing clinicians and staff honor and support patients nearing the end of life in the medical ICU. Since its inception, it has fulfilled more than 70 meaningful wishes, bringing comfort and lasting memories to patients and their families.
Road sign saying sepsis in front of a twilight sky
Health Lab

NASCAR star’s death shows how sepsis can kill anyone if not caught

Kyle Busch's death from sepsis offers a chance to raise awareness of the importance of recognizing symptoms, and of timely care.
Drs Elizabeth Viglianti, Jakob McSparron, and Marc Peters-Golden
Department News

Three Faculty Receive Respiratory Health Awards at ATS Conference

Drs Elizabeth Viglianti, Jakob McSparron, and Marc Peters-Golden received Respiratory Health Awards at the 2026 American Thoracic Society (ATS) conference.
Francis Collins MD PhD needle haystack
News Release

A gene discovery that changed cystic fibrosis care, and genetic research, forever

Modern cystic fibrosis care at U-M Health includes medication based on genetic discoveries as well as many other options
Health Lab

Surviving sepsis: New guidelines harness life saving evidence for treating adults

An updated clinical guideline for treating sepsis in adults emphasizes pre-hospital care and judicious use of antibiotics and antifungals
bright blue background with lungs
Department News

CME Event - Updates in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Interstitial Lung Disease

Join University of Michigan experts on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 from 2-3 pm for a free virtual panel discussion on the current updates in the diagnosis and treatment of interstitial lung disease.