Marie Egan, MD, specializes in pediatric pulmonology, with a focus on treating children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and related respiratory conditions. She is dedicated to improving the lives of young patients by addressing issues such as mucus clearance, infection management, and lung function preservation.
Dr. Egan's interest in cystic fibrosis began at age 18 when she volunteered in a playroom for sick children at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "They were free and open when talking to each other,” she recalls. “They talked about who had died, who was still living, and who had been hospitalized. But the moment adults or parents came in, their tone would totally change. They were talking like little kids again. I don’t think anyone should have to be that brave at that age."
The experience inspired her to pursue a career that combined her love for science with a desire to help children maintain their innocence despite their illnesses.
As a professor of pediatrics (respiratory) and of cellular and molecular physiology at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Egan studies how ion channels—tiny pathways that allow ions to move in and out of cells—can disrupt the body's ability to clear mucus from the lungs. This can lead to breathing difficulties, infections and lung damage in diseases like cystic fibrosis. Her lab studies how the CFTR protein, which is faulty in cystic fibrosis, influences these ion channels and affects lung health. Dr. Egan is also working with colleagues on a gene editing project to fix the genetic mutations in the CFTR gene that cause cystic fibrosis, with the hope of developing new treatments.
Dr. Egan takes pride in the impact she has had on her patients and the field of cystic fibrosis research. "I’m proud of the fact that so many patients tell me I’ve made a difference in their lives," she says. “It’s an incredible honor and privilege to help people navigate chronic illness and disease.”
Dr. Egan received her medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine and completed her internship and residency in pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. She also completed a fellowship in pediatric pulmonary medicine at the Eudowood Division of Pediatric Respiratory Sciences at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
