Name: Dr. Ken Rosenman, adjunct professor

Department: Medicine

Type of research: Occupational lung disease, including work-related asthma, scarring in the lungs and connective tissue diseases.

Date of research: Rosenman started his research in 1988, and his projects have been ongoing since that time.

Basics of the project: "We're looking at the causes of lung disease and how exposures at work might contribute to it," Rosenman said.

He has about seven projects underway, looking at different causes of occupational lung disease.

Asthma — one of the aspects of Rosenman's research — is one of the more common work-related diseases, and about 15 percent of people with asthma develop it from their work environment, he said.

People can develop asthma in the workplace by interacting with a certain animal or product on a daily basis, depending on their occupation, Rosenman said. An allergy develops first if the person has continued exposure — this allergy can lead to chronic asthma.

Rosenman also is researching silicosis, or scarring in the lungs. This scarring can be caused by asbestos and sandblasting, he said.

As an epidemiologist, Rosenman designs the studies used in the research, as well as examines the people exposed to lung disease and analyzes the symptoms to identify and prevent diseases.

He works with other labs, including one at the University of Pennsylvania, where the actual testing takes place. There are a number of medical students each year from MSU who also help Rosenman conduct his research, he said.

Social impact of research: To understand levels of exposure to certain products and chemicals, so they can be used safely and still be beneficial for consumers and workers.

Grants and funding: About $1.2 million per year, depending on each project's cost and duration. Most of Rosenman's funding comes from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.