Anne-Karina Theresia Perl, MS, PhD

Lungs are incredible organs—they develop, repair, and regenerate in ways we’re only beginning to understand. My research is dedicated to uncovering the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind these processes, with the ultimate goal of developing novel therapies for chronic lung diseases. Behind sculpting the lungs one breath at a time, is a key player, fibroblasts. These versatile cells control alveolar development, injury repair, and fibrosis, making them a major focus of my lab’s efforts.

I am a developmental biologist and a recognized leader in pulmonary science, with over 20 years of experience at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. I joined Cincinnati Children’s research faculty in 2002 after training with Dr. Jeff Whitsett, whose groundbreaking surfactant research has shaped the work of many scientists, including my own focus on lung development and disease. Over the years, I’ve built a research program that merges fundamental developmental biology with translational medicine, allowing us to bridge the gap between discovery and therapy.

My research has earned national and international recognition, shaping our understanding of lung fibroblast biology, alveolar development, and regenerative medicine. I have been a pioneer in defining fibroblast function in lung development, homeostasis, and disease, making high-impact discoveries, developing cutting-edge methodologies, and providing transformative leadership in the field. My lab has been continuously funded by the NIH since 2005, and we’ve received support from the American Lung Association, American Heart Association, the LAM Foundation, and multiple NIH consortia grants, including LungMAP.

With over 54 peer-reviewed publications and more than 1,000 citations since 2021, our work continues to advance the frontiers of pulmonary science and make significant contributions to understanding lung disease.

The research in my lab is centered on the context-dependent activation of alveolar fibroblasts—how they shape lung development, aging, chronic disease, and regeneration. Our work was pivotal in defining the critical role of fibroblasts in alveolarization and lung regeneration, identifying key signaling pathways—such as FGF, PDGF, and WNT—that regulate their function. Using cutting-edge mouse models, in vitro organoid systems, and high-resolution multi-omic approaches, we’re actively identifying new molecular targets that could revolutionize treatment strategies for lung diseases like bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), pulmonary fibrosis, and TBX4 deficiency syndromes. Our latest NIH-funded work dives into transcriptional regulation of fibroblast differentiation, opening new avenues for therapeutic discovery.

But science doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it thrives in collaboration, mentorship, and community. I have been actively engaged with the American Thoracic Society (ATS), serving as an associate editor for the American Journal of RCMB and as part of the Executive Committee for the RCMB Assembly. Recognizing the need for better classification of lung fibroblasts, I launched an international task force that has now grown into a global effort across multiple organ.

Mentorship and training the next generation of bench scientists are central to my work. As director of Cincinnati Children’s Biomedical Research Technology Master’s Program, I am committed to equipping students with the skills and opportunities needed for success in biomedical research. Whether in the lab, at the bench, or in the classroom, I strive to create a rigorous and innovative training environment.

At the end of the day, my work is about discovery with impact—finding new ways to understand, treat, and ultimately prevent lung diseases. I am proud to work with such an exceptional team, whose curiosity, collaboration, and dedication to cutting-edge science make our work both meaningful and exciting!