Dr. Richard Boucher stands as a preeminent figure in pulmonary medicine and cystic fibrosis research with a career defined by groundbreaking scientific contributions. He currently holds the distinguished position of James Moeser Eminent Distinguished Professor of Medicine while serving as Director of the Marsico Lung Institute and the UNC Cystic Fibrosis Research Center at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. With decades of experience as both a clinician and researcher, Dr. Boucher has established himself as a world leader in understanding airway physiology and respiratory disease mechanisms. His early career investigations into airway surface liquid dynamics laid the foundation for transformative advances in treating cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Dr. Boucher maintains an active clinical practice alongside his research endeavors, uniquely positioning him to translate scientific discoveries into patient-centered care.
Dr. Boucher's laboratory has made seminal contributions to our understanding of airway surface liquid physiology and its critical role in maintaining respiratory health and combating infection. His pioneering research elucidated how defects in airway surface liquid regulation contribute to the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis, fundamentally changing how the medical community views this devastating disease. His investigations into extracellular nucleotides and P2 receptor signaling pathways revealed novel mechanisms for regulating airway surface hydration and identified promising therapeutic targets. Dr. Boucher's work on gene therapy approaches for cystic fibrosis has advanced the field toward developing treatments that address the fundamental genetic defect rather than merely managing symptoms. His research on sodium channel blockers and hypertonic saline therapy has directly informed clinical management strategies for cystic fibrosis patients worldwide.
As a thought leader in pulmonary medicine, Dr. Boucher has shaped the global research agenda through his involvement in major collaborative initiatives including the SPIROMICS study and other multicenter clinical trials networks. His recent development of novel air-liquid interface airway tissue equivalent models represents a significant methodological advancement for respiratory disease modeling and drug testing. With an impressive publication record exceeding 500 scientific papers, Dr. Boucher's work continues to influence both basic science and clinical practice in respiratory medicine. He serves on numerous advisory boards and editorial committees, helping to guide the direction of cystic fibrosis research and therapeutic development. Dr. Boucher remains actively engaged in translational research, working to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and effective clinical interventions for patients with cystic fibrosis and other chronic respiratory conditions.
