We are delighted to introduce Rhett Guo, the 2026 recipient of the British Association of Lung Research and Breathing Matters (BALR–BM) Summer Studentship, a programme we proudly support to nurture the next generation of respiratory researchers working in interstitial lung disease (ILD) and lung infections.
Rhett is a BSc Applied Medical Sciences student at University College London with a strong interest in respiratory medicine, epithelial biology, and the mechanisms underlying lung fibrosis. Through this studentship, he hopes to further develop his research skills and gain a deeper understanding of how translational respiratory research can contribute to future therapeutic research in respiratory disease.
His project, “Defining the role of mTOR signalling in the emergence and persistence of damage-associated transitional progenitors (DATPs) during alveolar epithelial differentiation and fibrosis”, examines the involvement of mTOR signalling in the appearance and persistence of DATPs in models of alveolar epithelial differentiation and fibrotic injury. Using human alveolar organoid models, the project aims to better understand how altered epithelial cell states may contribute to impaired lung repair in interstitial lung disease.
This studentship reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in early-career researchers whose work has the potential to improve outcomes for people living with ILD and lung infections.
We look forward to following Rhett’s progress over the summer and sharing updates on his findings later in the year.