Researcher Spotlight: Viranuj Sueblinvong

What is your professional background?
I graduated with an MD from Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. After graduation, I pursued a research career by working in a cardiac molecular biology lab at Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL. My mentor persuaded me to pursue clinical training instead of a PhD. I completed a residency in internal medicine at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago, IL, and a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of Vermont in Burlington, VT. I also spent an additional two years as a post-doctoral research fellow before a career move to Emory University. 

In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?
I am an associate professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine. My mentors are Drs. David Guidot, Michael Koval, and Dean Jones.

Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
Alcohol exposure is known to increase the incidence and worsen the outcome of ARDS. Our group shows that chronic alcohol ingestion primes the lung toward fibroproliferative disrepair in the experimental model. Our laboratory’s focus is to elucidate the mechanisms by which alcohol ingestion promotes lung injury and disrepair. In parallel, in collaboration with Dr. Ashish Mehta at the Atlanta VA, we have begun to investigate alcohol use history as a contributor to the severity of and recovery from COVID-19 respiratory illness.

What do you like most about Emory?
I enjoy the collegial and supportive environment both within the division and outside of the division.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?
I enjoyed animated movies by Hayao Miyazaki like “Spirited Away” and “Ponyo.” I also enjoy movies related to mountaineering, i.e., “Meru,” “Free Solo,” and “Sherpa.”

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Beside sleep, I like to go to cold and high places.

What is a fun fact about you?
I reached 12 state highpoints in the USA and two of the seven summits.