Dr. Crothers leads a research program on HIV-related lung diseases, particularly chronic complications including COPD and lung cancer. Her work spans from observational, epidemiologic studies to translational and intervention studies, supported by federal funding. In collaboration with Drs. Lynn Schnapp (University of Wisconsin) and Sina Gharib, her group is comparing emphysema and other lung abnormalities in people with and without HIV infection to understand whether and how clinical characteristics, quantitative radiographic features, and biological underpinnings are different in these groups. Current investigations focused on lung cancer include work on tailoring screening to PWH based on unique risk factors and differential mortality risk in PWH, and developing a lung cancer risk model for PWH to inform risk-based screening in this population.
Intervention and implementation science studies include an NCI-funded randomized trial investigating smoking cessation in PWH engaging Veterans with HIV in a wellness based counseling and tailored text messaging program, regardless of readiness to quit smoking. Dr. Crothers has also led an NHLBI-funded trial to improve the quality of care for COPD in PWH using pro-active E-consults. In addition, Dr. Crothers collaborates with several large, multisite HIV cohort studies including the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) and the Center for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS), offering opportunities for trainees to conduct secondary data analyses.
