Assistant Professor of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, United States 🩺🔬
Dr. Brian Derris Southern is a distinguished physician and researcher specializing in pulmonary medicine. He serves as an Assistant Professor of Molecular Medicine at the Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University and is a Staff Physician in the Respiratory Institute’s Department of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. Additionally, Dr. Southern holds the position of Associate Staff Scientist in the Department of Inflammation & Immunity at the Lerner Research Institute and is the Associate Director of the Cleveland Clinic Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Care Centre
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Education 🎓�
Dr. Southern’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, graduating cum laude with honors in biological research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 19. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in 20. His postdoctoral training includes a residency and internship in Internal Medicine, followed by a fellowship in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Oi. He also served as a Visiting Scientist in the Department of Pathobiology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Experience �💼
Throughout his career, Dr. Southern has held various esteemed positions. Since 2015, he has been a Staff Physician in the Respiratory Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. He was appointed Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University in214. In 2013, he became an Associate Staff Scientist in the Department of Pathobiology at the Cleveland Clinic. Earlier roles include Associate Staff Physician in the Department of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic and Hospitalist positions at Ahuja Medical Center and Richmond Medical Center.
Research Interests 🔬🧬
Dr. Southern’s research focuses on pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung diseases, and the molecular mechanisms underlying these conditions. He has a particular interest in the role of fibroblast mechanic sensing and the impact of thrombin inhibition on fibrotic processes. His work aims to uncover novel therapeutic targets and improve patient outcomes in pulmonary diseases.
Awards and Honors 🏆🎖️
Dr. Southern’s contributions to medicine and research have been recognized with numerous awards. In 2023, he was appointed as a member of the IPF-PRO/ILD-PRO Biomarker Research committee. He became a full member of the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society n 2020. In 2017, he received the NIH K08 Award and the Parker B. Francis Research Opportunity Award. His research was highlighted among the top ten abstracts at the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Summit in 2015, the same year he received the Genentech Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Junior Nintedanib Award.
Publications 📄📚
Direct thrombin inhibition with dabigatran alters the matrix-induced, pro-fibrotic fibroblast phenotype.”** (Und revion)
Telomeropathies in Interstitial Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Recipients.”** Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2025, (5), 496.
A novel mechanosensing role of endogenous fibroblast S100A4 in myofibroblast differentiation and pulmonary fibrosis. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2024 Jan;301):10530.
Expert consensus on the management of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease.”** Respiratory Research, 2023 Ja9;24():6.
Prospective cohort of cryobiopsy in interstitial lung diseases: a single center experience.”** BMC Pulmonary Medicine, 2022 Jun 22(1)215.
Stretching the Function of Innate Immune Cells.”** Frontiers in Immunology, 2021 Nov 12:76319.
Effect of Antimicrobial Therapy on Respiratory Hospitalization or Death in Adults With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: The CleanUP-IPF Randomized Clinical Trial.”** JAMA, 2021 May 11;325(181841-851.
Delphi Consensus Recommendations on Management of Dosing, Adverse Events, and Comorbidities in the Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis with Nintedanib.”** Clinical Medicine Insights: Circulatory, Respiratory and Pulmonary Medicine, 2021;15:11795421006050.
Conclusion
Dr. Southern is a highly qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His groundbreaking research, clinical expertise, and contributions to pulmonary medicine demonstrate excellence. With continued grant acquisition and interdisciplinary collaborations, he can further elevate his impact in the field. He is a strong contender for this award. 🏆