Nasreen Khalil, MD, FRCPC, FCCP
Posted by Bill Bourlet
Dr Nasreen Khalil, MD, FRCPC, FCCP
Pulmonary Fibrosis involves scarring of the lung. Gradually, the air sacs of the lungs become replaced by fibrotic tissue. When the scar forms, the tissue becomes thicker causing an irreversible loss of the tissue's ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream.
This causes a shortness of breath particularly with exertion and a dry hacking cough.
Dr Nasreen studied this disease at Newfoundland training college then Dalhousie University to study Molecular biology. Then the Royal College of Canada. This all took 12 years and she noted that the drop out rate is very high. It is such a dry subject and has little funding.
It has to be a calling to continue studying.
You need to be a hybrid. A Phyisan/Scientstist.
Funding is the biggest challenge.
The lungs are a three-part operation. The breathing tubes that then branch out to the highway of air, which take the air to the blood vessels.
Big pharmacy companies are little interested in continuing the research, as the life expectancy is so short so they are mainly reliant on private donors.
She noted that her husband Robert, an Irishman by birth, is also a researcher in this subject.
Mary Stark thanked Nasreen.