Jessica Oakes

A FAMILY HISTORY OF lung problems and an introduction to pulmonary research as a grad student set Jessica Oakes down the specialized path of bioengineering. “When I was at RIT, there was a female professor that was studying the lungs. She got me very excited about the prospect of doing lung research,” Oakes shared. “My grandpa was once a smoker with lung problems, and most of my family worked in factories.” As the principal investigator of RESIST (Respiratory Innovation and Simulation Team) at Northeastern University, Oakes has led numerous research projects in biomechanics and related fields. She breaks down her research to the question, “What happens when we inhale things?”—from aerosols to fire smoke to e-cigarettes.

Oakes explained that when cigarettes were designed in the early 1950s, we didn’t know the health consequences. E-cigarettes pose a similar problem now, and in order to prevent a repeat of what happened—chronic obstructive pulmonary disease being the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S., mainly caused by cigarette smoking—we really need a better understanding of the lungs on e-cigarettes.

Similarly, working with the Department of Homeland Security and mechanical engineers at the University of California, Berkeley, Oakes and her team designed an in-lab system that replicates exposure to wildland fire—albeit in mice—allowing researchers to better measure respiratory and cardiovascular mechanics from exposure.

Oakes’ Lab is initially interested in occupational exposure. “Firefighters are first responders and have important jobs—but that’s putting them at an elevated risk of developing cardiopulmonary disease,” Oakes said, explaining that the team is currently researching burning vegetation, but in future could include housing materials as well.

“We’re discovering changes that are suggestive of accelerated cardiopulmonary decline due to exposure, and our next steps are to look at different mass materials to see if any of those could prevent the cardiopulmonary decline,” she said.

Oakes shared that the project brings together a number of disciplines, including combustion engineers, respiratory engineers, and mechanical engineers. “There’s a strong connection between environment, engineering, and health. It’s increasingly important to not just do traditional engineering but to expand out to other fields.”