Appointment
Associate Professor of Medicine
Research Interests
The Ai Lab investigates molecular mechanisms that connect early life insult to the developing lung with functional disruption and increased disease susceptibility later in life. The overarching goal of this research is to identify novel early life therapeutic strategies to improve long-term lung health. The three specific areas of research interest include: (1) understanding neural communication with CD4+ T cells as a critical regulatory mechanism in the development of asthma; (2) determining molecular mechanisms of age-related susceptibility to respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants; and (3) investigating pathogenesis of lung defects in newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. These projects employ a combination of patients’ samples, human primary cell lines, precision-cut lung slices, and animal models.
The Ai Lab thrives to cultivate a nurturing environment to foster creativity and support the growth and career development of trainees. Dr. Ai has mentored a number of undergraduate students, PhD students, postdocs, and medical fellows, many of whom have gone on to continue postgraduate training in medical schools and to pursue outstanding careers in academic and industry.
Education and Training
- 1988-1992, BS in Genetics, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- 1995-2000, PhD in Neuroscience. Case Western Research University, Cleveland, OH
- 2000-2004, Postdoc Fellow, Cell & Development Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- 2004-2008, Research Scientist, Cell & Development Biology, Boston Biomedical Research Institute, Watertown, MA
- 2008-2014, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston MA
- 2014-2020, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA
- 2020-2026, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA
- 2026-Present, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Honors and Awards
- 2025, Dr. Robert Carpo Memorial Innovative Research Methodology Award, American Thoracic Society