Thoracic Surgery Research
The Thoracic Surgery Division is working on cytokines, or small molecules that can turn on the immune system in places that OPDIVO® or KEYTRUDA® cannot. We are also working on stimulating a cell population called natural killer cells that offer an exciting opportunity to control or prevent lung cancer from occurring.
Clinical Research
Linda W. Martin, MD, MPH
In her clinical practice, Dr. Martin focuses on thoracic malignancies, but she also has extensive experience with benign lung and esophageal diseases. She is a strong advocate for lung cancer screenings and collaborates with physicians and healthcare providers from all disciplines to determine the best treatment strategy. She also helps encourage patients to quit smoking.
Basic and Translational Research
Lung Injury and Transplantation Research Labs
The Lung Injury and Transplant Research Labs in the Department of Surgery are comprised of a diverse team of clinicians and researchers dedicated to helping lung injury and transplant patients through the advancement of basic and translational research as well as the training of Residents, PostDocs, and Students. Our laboratories are headed by four Principle Investigators and utilize both in vivo and in vitro models to study clinically relevant issues including: lung ischemia-reperfusion injury and primary graft dysfunction after transplant, organ preservation, ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP), in vivo lung perfusion (IVLP) as a surgical treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and noninvasive molecular imaging of lung injury.
Irving L. Kron, MD
Professor Emeritus, Department of Surgery, Former Chair, Department of Surgery, University of Virginia (2002-17)
Irving L. Kron, MD
Irving Kron, MD is currently Professor Emeritus in the University of Virginia’s Department of Surgery where he remains an active participant in research projects that are currently ongoing in the laboratory. Dr. Kron’s specialty interests include mitral valve and aortic valve surgery, surgery of the aorta, carotid artery surgery, coronary artery surgery, and heart transplantation.
Victor E. Laubach, PhD
Professor of Surgery (with tenure)
Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics
PhD 1993, Genetics, The George Washington University
434-924-2927
Victor E. Laubach, PhD
Victor Laubach, PhD obtained a B.S. in Biology from Penn State University and a Ph.D. in Genetics from the George Washington University. He conducted his graduate research at NIH/NHLBI where he studied alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. He completed three years of postdoctoral research at Glaxo Wellcome Pharmaceuticals in Research Triangle Park, NC to study nitric oxide biology. Here, he generated the iNOS knockout mouse and helped generate the eNOS knockout mouse in collaboration with the late Dr. Oliver Smithies, who received the Nobel Prize in 2007 for his genetic knockout methodology. In 1996 he came to the UVA Department of Surgery as an Assistant Professor where he began his studies on lung transplantation, which continue today.