Rodney D. Britt Jr., Ph.D.

Photo of Rodney D. Britt Jr., Ph.D.
  • Research Fellow, Pediatric Lung Disease
  • Laboratory of Y.S. Prakash, M.D., Ph.D., at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
  • Hometown: Columbia, Maryland
  • Graduate School: Ohio State University

What sparked your interest in science?

I became interested in biomedical research while taking chemistry and biology classes during college.

How would you describe your area of expertise?

Cellular biology and physiology related to pediatric lung diseases, including asthma and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

How will your research improve patient care or impact public health?

We strive to make research advances that will improve the long-term pulmonary health of preterm infants and young children with airway diseases. Our research goal is to identify and characterize molecular mechanisms that could lead to further understanding of the pathophysiology of pediatric airway diseases and development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Why did you choose Mayo Clinic to explore research?

Mayo Clinic has a unique interface between clinical practice and basic research. I have the great opportunity to learn cutting-edge techniques and apply those tools to investigate clinically relevant research questions.

What do you like about living in Minnesota?

Moving to Rochester has brought me closer to my family who lives in Minneapolis. I enjoy the outdoor activities during the summer.