Benjamin G. Wu, MD
- Dr. Benjamin G. Wu is an Assistant Professor in the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Physician-Scientist in the NYU Translational Lung Biology Laboratory (PI: Dr. Leopoldo Segal). Ben is an early career researcher with a focus on how the lung microbiome affects host susceptibility to lower respiratory tract infection. He studies how dysbiosis, or the disruption of the lower airway microbiome, changes host immunity thereby altering how the host responds to infection. He uses murine models and human cohorts to decipher pathways and mechanism related IL-17 and functional immune exhaustion.
As a pulmonologist at NYU Langone, I am dedicated to providing comprehensive and empathetic care. My approach to medicine is deeply rooted in my background as a fundamental or “bench” researcher, which has instilled in me the importance of clear communication, teamwork, and maximizing each patient’s potential.
My research at the NYU Langone Translational Lung Biology Laboratory focuses on understanding how the lungs genetically respond to pneumonia and exploring the lung microbiome, a community of microorganisms that live in the lungs, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This work is crucial to developing innovative treatments for lung conditions and improving patient outcomes.
My credentials include numerous research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and support from the Stony Wold-Herbert Fund, the CHEST Foundation, and the Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute, among others.
My journey into medicine began during my undergraduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where I majored in microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics. Working at the Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at UCLA further inspired me to pursue a career in medicine, as I realized the profound impact a strong foundation in bench research can have on clinical practice.
