From developing groundbreaking therapies to leading clinical research studies, Seattle Children's has been an international leader in cystic fibrosis (CF) research for more than 25 years.
Through our successful research program, we are learning more about the disease, and developing new treatments and therapies to help people with CF live longer, healthier lives.
At any given time, there is a variety of CF research studies happening at Seattle Children's. These include:
- Interventional studies to test the safety and effectiveness of new treatments, like new medications that target the underlying cause of CF.
- Observational studies to help us learn more about CF and the effect it has on health.
Our Researchers
Maida Lynn Chen, MD
Director, Pediatric Sleep Disorders Center
Dr. Maida Chen's research interests focus on respiratory control disorders and sleep-disordered breathing in special-needs populations, including those with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, obesity and craniofacial anomalies.
Ron Gibson, MD, PhD
Co-Director, Cystic Fibrosis Therapeutic Development Center; Associate Program Director, Pediatric Pulmonary Fellowship
Dr. Ron Gibson's primary research focuses on early events in the pathogenesis of lung disease in CF, with a focus on the risk factors for and the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa airway infections in young children with CF. He has been lead and co-investigator for several phase I to phase III clinical trials involving novel antimicrobial agents, anti-inflammatory compounds and modulators of ion transport.
Nicole Mayer Hamblett, PhD
Co-Executive Director, Cystic Fibrosis Therapeutics Development Network Coordinating Center
Dr. Hamblett's research interests include the design and analysis of clinical trials, with emphasis in the pediatric and orphan disease setting. She is involved in the development of new clinical outcome measures for cystic fibrosis, in particular the validation of biomarkers to enable early evaluation of new therapies. Dr. Hamblett also provides statistical training to clinical researchers and scientists, with applications to both the preclinical and clinical fields.
Bonnie W Ramsey, MD
Vice Chair for Research, Department of Pediatrics; Associate Director, Pediatric Clinical Research Center
Dr. Bonnie Ramsey's research focuses on clinical care and developing new therapies for CF patients. Ramsey is a pioneer in developing new treatments to meet the needs of the CF community and is the lead investigator of the TOBI™ (Tobramycin Solution for Inhalation) clinical trial. Her research interests also include the ethics of pediatric clinical research.
Margaret Rosenfeld, MD, MPH
Professor and Associate Vice-Chair for Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics
Dr. Margaret Rosenfeld's 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. She is also an investigator in a national network investigating rare disorders of mucociliary clearance, including primary ciliary dyskinesia.
Research Coordinators
Our research coordinators are usually the first point of contact for any clinical trial. Please contact one of them to learn more about a specific study or taking part in CF clinical research in general.
Sharon McNamara, MN
Lead Research Nurse Coordinator
206-987-3921
Alan Genatossio, BSN
Research Nurse Coordinator
206-987-3317
Janine Jijina, BS
Research Associate
206-987-1265
Make a Difference: Take Part in a Research Study
CF is one of the most common lung diseases in children and young adults. Most children with CF are diagnosed by age 2; however, some are not diagnosed until age 18 or older.
Research studies play an important role in the battle against CF. However, they can't take place unless people with CF volunteer to take part. If you or a child you know is interested in participating in a research study, please speak with your CF doctor or contact one of our research coordinators.
