Message from the Chief
Welcome to the Division of Genetic, Environmental and Inhalational Disease.
Our goals are to understand the genetic and molecular basis for disease and to develop new therapeutic strategies to treat them. While we have a longstanding research focus on cystic fibrosis, there are a host of other diseases that are actively being researched in our division. As such, it is my belief that the treatment of this disease requires a muti-disciplinary team, such as assembled here. As such, in addition to the primary faculty, this division includes multiple clinicians, immunologists, cancer biologists and kidney experts. Tied together primarily by our goal to better manage CF and CFRD, the diverse nature of our team is a critical strength of the group.
The primary members of our team bring expertise in lung biology and disease, electrophysiology, Ca2+ signaling, cancer, immunology, bone structure/function, gene expression, microbiology and intracellular trafficking. Critical to the success of our group, however, is the clinical and professional contributions of our affiliated faculty. I firmly believe that team-based research is essential to address this multi-system disease.
While this is still a relatively new division, we have developed an extensive array of tools to support our work including multiple confocal and epifluorescent microscopy systems, a FLIPR, plate readers and an HPLC along with standard laboratory facilities. Given our interests in curing human disease, we primarily work with human samples obtained from our clinical partners, however, our work is supported by animal studies in both ferrets and mice.
Our multi-disciplinary team is committed to the application of our considerable expertise to the treatment of CF and CFRD. It is my firm belief that I have assembled a unique and optimal team to address this problem and that we will make real progress in the management of this highly destructive disease over the next few years.
Professor and Chief
Division of Genetic, Environmental and Inhalational Disease
geid@kumc.edu
News highlights
Dr. Jonathan Soboloff joins GEID as Scientific Director
Dr. Soboloff is an expert in Ca2+ signaling who joined the division on March 1, 2025. Dr. Soboloff has developed interests in immunology, cancer and osteoporosis. A newcomer to the CF field, he will maintain his current investigations and extend his efforts to understand the implications of CFTR mutations on the development of these disorders, which are greatly elevated in CF patients.
Dr. Paula Zamora joins GEID as an Assistant Professor
Dr. Zamora is a virologist that works in host-pathogen interactions at mucosal surfaces. Dr. Zamora is interested in understanding the effects of chronic inflammation in bacterial and viral infections, especially in the context of the CF lung. Her research spans mechanistic studies to decipher the epigenetic and metabolic changes that lead to worst infection outcomes in pwCF, as well as the investigation of new therapeutics that could revert the lung damage observed in this population.
Dr. Ana Maria Jaramillo joins GEID as an Assistant Professor
Dr. Jaramillo joins the division from the University of Colorado, where, as a postdoctoral fellow, she investigated the molecular mechanisms of mucin assembly. Her lab will focus on the specific mechanisms used by mucins to move through the secretory pathway.
Anti-osteoporosis drug sent to the international space station
Dr. Soboloff has a patented drug in pre-clinical trial that was sent into space in July 2025. This work is led by Exesalibero Pharma LLC; Dr. Soboloff is a member of the scientific advisory board. Read the press release