Dr. Mutlu’s career has focused on the mechanisms of that underlie the development and resolution of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). He has made significant contributions to our understanding about the role of alveolar epithelial beta-2 adrenergic receptors in ARDS. Currently, Dr. Mutlu’s laboratory focuses on the molecular mechanisms of IL-6 release by alveolar macrophages in response to lung injury. This work is relevant to a number of conditions in pulmonary and critical care medicine, including pneumonia, ARDS, and particulate matter air pollution–induced acute cardiovascular events. Specifically, Dr. Mutlu’s laboratory investigates the role of IL-6 in air pollution–induced acute ischemic cardiovascular events, which has important clinical and public health implications in patients with underlying cardiopulmonary diseases. A second research area focuses on the role of catecholamines and alveolar macrophage beta-2 adrenergic receptors in the pathogenesis of lung inflammation and injury. A third area of focus is on the identification of the role of adipose tissue and adipokines in the pathogenesis of ARDS and pulmonary fibrosis.