Naresh Punjabi
Chief of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine
Mary Jane and Lino Sertel Professor in Pulmonary Disease
Miller School of Medicine
Dr. Punjabi’s research focuses on the pathophysiology and epidemiology of sleep-disordered breathing, with a particular emphasis on intermittent hypoxia and its systemic consequences. Over the past two decades, his work has examined how repeated oxygen desaturation during sleep contributes to insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and cardiovascular disease (e.g., coronary artery disease, stroke). He has led both large-scale epidemiological studies and mechanistic investigations that bridge clinical research with basic science, including studies on mitochondrial dysfunction, endothelial injury, and autonomic dysregulation. More recently, his interests have expanded to include the interplay between environmental exposures—such as air pollution and climate-related stressors—and sleep-related hypoxia. These lines of inquiry align well with the mission of the Glassell Family Center, particularly its emphasis on environmental and atmospheric factors that influence human health. He is also committed to developing precision medicine informed approaches to sleep and metabolic health and currently leads translational studies investigating the cardiometabolic effects of hypoxia. By joining the Center, he hopes to foster interdisciplinary collaborations that integrate marine and atmospheric sciences with clinical and population health research to address the global burden of chronic disease.
Keywords: sleep-disordered breathing, hypoxia, glucose intolerance, cardiovascular disease, epidemiology, pollution exposure
