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Jennifer Leigh Ingram

Associate Professor in Medicine
Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine
Duke Box 2641, Durham, NC 27710
201 MSRB1 Bldg, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Dr. Ingram's research interests focus on the study of airway remodeling in human asthma. Proliferation, migration, and invasion of airway fibroblasts are key features of airway remodeling that contribute to diminished lung function over time. Dr. Ingram uses molecular biology approaches to define the effects of interleukin-13 (IL-13), a cytokine abundantly produced in the asthmatic airway, in the human airway fibroblast. She has identified important regulatory functions of several proteins prevalent in asthma that control fibroblast growth and pro-fibrotic growth factor production in response to IL-13. By understanding these pathways and their role in human asthma and the chronic effects of airway remodeling, novel treatment strategies may be developed.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor in Medicine · 2021 - Present Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Medicine
Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery · 2020 - Present Surgery, Surgical Sciences, Surgery
Associate Professor in Pathology · 2021 - Present Pathology, Clinical Science Departments

Recent Publications


Leptin augments IL-13-induced airway eotaxins and submucosal eosinophilia in obesity-associated asthma.

Journal Article J Allergy Clin Immunol · March 2025 BACKGROUND: Airway tissue eosinophilia can be an observed feature of obesity-associated type 2 (T2) asthma, but the processes mediating this inflammation are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate a process whereby leptin, an adipokine elevated in obesity, pot ... Full text Link to item Cite

Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor (Glp1r) Deficiency Does Not Appreciably Alter Airway Inflammation or Gut-Lung Microbiome Axis in a Mouse Model of Obese Allergic Airways Disease and Bariatric Surgery.

Journal Article J Asthma Allergy · 2025 PURPOSE: High body mass index (≥30 kg/m2) is associated with asthma severity, and nearly 40% of asthma patients exhibit obesity. Furthermore, over 40% of patients with obesity and asthma that receive bariatric surgery no longer require asthma medication. I ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Duke Program of Training in Pulmonary ReSearch to Promote, Engage and Retain Academic Researchers (PROSPER)

Inst. Training Prgm or CMECo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2022 - 2026

Research Training in Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill · 2000 - 2026

Oxidative Stress and Regional Airway Remodeling and Fibrosis in Obese Asthma

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2020 - 2025

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Education, Training & Certifications


North Carolina State University · 2000 Ph.D.