Researcher Spotlight: Michael Noto

What is your professional background? 
I am a pulmonary and critical care medicine physician-scientist. I received an MD/PhD from Virginia Commonwealth University and completed postgraduate training in internal medicine, infectious diseases, and pulmonary and critical care medicine at Vanderbilt University, where I joined the faculty in 2016. I recently moved from Vanderbilt to Emory University in July 2021 and currently serve as the acting medical director of the EUH 4a/6a ICU. I have a research program focused on neutrophilic inflammation during bacterial pneumonia.

In what division do you work, and who is your mentor? 
I work in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, and I am very fortunate to have David Guidot as a mentor.

Briefly describe your research. Why is it important? 
Bacterial pneumonia is a common and severe lung infection that is a leading cause of death worldwide. The host inflammatory response to pneumonia must be balanced with sufficient inflammation to control the bacterial infection without the excessive inflammation that can cause tissue damage. Our research focuses on both host and pathogen factors that modulate neutrophilic lung inflammation during bacterial pneumonia. We are particularly interested in the metabolic programs that govern neutrophilic lung inflammation and the bacterial molecules that drive neutrophil activation and recruitment to the lung.

What do you like most about Emory? 
This is easy one — Emory has a friendly, inclusive, and collaborative culture that I love. 

What is your favorite movie or TV show? 
My favorite movie is “The Godfather.” 

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy reading, running (Atlanta’s hills are no joke), being with our dogs (we have three rescues), and renovating our 100-year-old home. 

What is a fun fact about you? 
I grew up on the coast of New York and I love fresh seafood. Once after a visit back home, I was stopped by TSA agents for trying to carry two live lobsters on a plane. Turns out they don’t qualify as support animals.