Cystic Fibrosis Research
Cutting-Edge Research in Cystic Fibrosis at Seattle Children’s
At Seattle Children's, we are committed to advancing the care and treatment of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) through innovative clinical research. Our research program brings together patients, families, clinicians and scientists with a shared goal of improving health outcomes and quality of life for people living with CF.
We conduct clinical research in both children and adults with cystic fibrosis, recognizing that important questions and opportunities for discovery exist across the lifespan. Our research portfolio includes a wide range of studies, from interventional clinical trials evaluating new therapies, medications and care approaches to observational studies that help us better understand the natural history of CF, disease progression, treatment outcomes and factors influencing health and well-being.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutic Development Network
Seattle Children’s conducts many ground-breaking observational and interventional clinical research studies in CF. We are a part of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutic Development Network (CFF TDN). We conduct research studies sponsored or funded by the CFF TDN, pharmaceutical companies, National Institutes of Health or other organizations.
Current Research Studies
By participating in research, individuals and families can contribute to discoveries that may improve care for people with CF. Our studies address a variety of topics, including lung health, nutrition, infection, inflammation, quality of life, emerging therapies and other aspects of CF care.
Whether you are a person with CF, a family member, a healthcare provider or a researcher, we invite you to explore our ongoing studies and learn more about how clinical research is helping shape the future of cystic fibrosis care. Email the cystic fibrosis research team for more information. Learn more about participating in research.
Cystic Fibrosis Research Team
Our research team conducts CF research studies with pediatric and adult participants that involve spirometry, multiple breath washout, CT scans, lung MRI and bronchoscopy. If you are a sponsor interested in partnering, email the cystic fibrosis research team.
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Dawn Batchuluun, MSW, LMSW, CCRP
Research Manager
Dawn Batchuluun is the research manager for cystic fibrosis clinical trials and research at Seattle Children’s. She has been involved in research for over 20 years. She has a master’s degree in social work.
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Swati Chorge, MBBS, ACRP-CP
Clinical Research Coordinator
Swati Chorge is a clinical research coordinator who conducts cystic fibrosis clinical trials and research at Seattle Children's. She has been involved in clinical research for over 4 years.
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Alexandra De Fermin Cortes, BS
Clinical Research Coordinator
Alexandra De Fermin Cortes is a clinical research coordinator who conducts cystic fibrosis clinical trials and research at Seattle Children’s.
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Alan Genatossio, RN
Clinical Research Nurse
Alan Genatossio is a research nurse who conducts cystic fibrosis clinical trials and research at Seattle Children’s. He has been involved in cystic fibrosis research for over 25 years.
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Liz Gore, RN
Clinical Research Nurse
Liz Gore is a research nurse who conducts cystic fibrosis clinical trials and research at Seattle Children’s. She has been involved in clinical research for over 3 years.
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Renuka Magadevane, MS
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Renuka Megadevane is a regulatory affairs specialist who assists with cystic fibrosis clinical trials and research at Seattle Children’s. She has been involved in clinical research for over 5 years.
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Marissa Nelsen, BS
Clinical Research Coordinator
Marissa Nelson is a clinical research coordinator who conducts cystic fibrosis clinical trials and research at Seattle Children’s. She has been involved in clinical research for over 5 years.
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Jack O'Donnell, BS
Clinical Research Coordinator
Jack O’Donnell is a clinical research coordinator who conducts cystic fibrosis clinical trials and research at Seattle Children’s. He has been involved in clinical research for over 5 years.
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Rajsi Rana, BS
Clinical Research Coordinator
Rajsi Rana is a clinical research coordinator who conducts cystic fibrosis clinical trials and research at Seattle Children’s.
Our Researchers
Seattle Children’s is home to a diverse group of nationally recognized cystic fibrosis researchers who are advancing the field through innovative observational and interventional clinical studies. Our investigators are leaders in CF research, working to better understand disease mechanisms, improve treatments and develop new approaches to care across the lifespan. Through collaboration, scientific discovery and a commitment to improving outcomes for people with CF, our researchers are helping shape the future of cystic fibrosis care both locally and around the world.
Dr. Meghan McGarry is the director of the CF Foundation Therapeutic Development Center at Seattle Children’s Hospital and a principal investigator in the Center for Respiratory Biology and Therapeutics at Seattle Children’s Research Institute. She has devoted her career to investigating why some people with cystic fibrosis have worse outcomes and working to improve cystic fibrosis care for all people. In addition to her research, Dr. McGarry is a pediatric pulmonologist at Seattle Children’s Hospital who specializes in cystic fibrosis.
Learn more about the McGarry Lab
Dr. Margaret Rosenfeld is the associate vice-chair for clinical research in the Department of Pediatrics and a principal investigator in the Center for Respiratory Biology and Therapeutics at Seattle Children’s Research Institute. Her research focuses on the assessment and treatment of early CF lung disease, including infant and preschool lung function tests, determining risk factors for early acquisition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and clinical trials in infants with CF. In addition to her research, Dr. Rosenfeld is a pediatric pulmonologist at Seattle Children’s Hospital who specializes in cystic fibrosis.
Dr. Jonathan Cogen is an associate professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s. He is interested in optimizing the way we utilize antibiotics in the care of people with CF. He is a co-principal investigator on two large randomized controlled trials (STOP360-AG and STOP-PEDS) looking at pulmonary exacerbation treatment strategies and has expertise using patient registries to design studies evaluating various pulmonary exacerbation treatment approaches. In addition to his research, Dr. Cogan is a pediatric pulmonologist at Seattle Children’s who specializes in cystic fibrosis.
Dr. Nicole Green is a pediatric gastroenterologist who specializes in cystic fibrosis. Dr. Green's research focuses on the gastrointestinal microbiome and metabolome, including the interaction with, and possible contribution to, cystic fibrosis hepatobiliary disease. Dr. Green has a strong interest in how diet affects gastrointestinal symptoms and inflammation. She also studies nutritional outcomes in cystic fibrosis, especially in the setting of highly effective CFTR modulator therapy.
Dr. Rafael Hernandez is a pediatric infectious disease specialist. Dr. Hernandez’s research focuses on understanding the pathogenesis of mycobacteria, including tuberculosis and related bacteria. In particular, he seeks to understand how mycobacteria interact with cells of the immune system to promote their own survival and how this interaction makes the bacteria more difficult to treat with antibiotics. Hernandez also heads the Cystic Fibrosis Isolate Core, which provides CF bacterial isolates to researchers at both academic/not-for-profit and commercial research institutions.
Dr. Luke Hoffman is a pediatric pulmonologist who specializes in CF. Dr. Hoffman’s research focuses on understanding why chronic lung infections are so difficult to treat and how to improve current treatments. He studies the behavior of the microbes causing CF and other chronic lung infections in models that attempt to more closely reflect the airway environment, which includes multiple microbial species, antibiotics and specific nutrients.
Theresa Annette Laguna, MD, MSc
Dr. Theresa Laguna has developed an investigator-initiated, independently funded research laboratory focused on studying infection and inflammation in the lower airways of people with cystic fibrosis (CF). She is a pediatric pulmonologist with a clinical and research interest in CF as well as primary ciliary dyskinesia and health disparities.
Learn more about the Laguna Lab
Dr. Freda Liu is a clinical psychologist who specializes in CF. Dr. Liu’s research focuses on improving the understanding, prevention and treatment of mental health concerns in CF care, particularly with CFTR modulators, with an emphasis on promoting equitable access and outcomes.
Dr. Thida Ong is a pediatric pulmonologist who specializes in CF and is the director of the Seattle Children’s Hospital CF Center. Dr. Ong’s research focuses on using quality improvement to improve the care of children with CF.