Chronic rhinosinsutis and allergic rhinitis are highly prevalent and refractory diseases of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, causing a substantial healthcare burden.

We aim to:

• Dissect cellular hetergeneity and decipher mucosal inflammatory memory niche in chronic airway diseases

• Develop and validate biomarkers and immunotherapeutic strategies targeting airway mucosal inflammation

• Study host–microbial interactions in the airway mucosa during chronic inflammation

Moon S et al., Allergy 2025

Rha MS et al., Allergy 2024

Rha MS et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2022

Rha MS et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2020

The nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (including the palatine tonsils and adenoids) are immunologic sites characterized by well-orchestrated coordination between innate and adaptive immunity. 

We aim to:

• Define the roles of tissue-resident immune cells and epithelial–immune crosstalk in the upper airway mucosa

• Delineate immunosenescence in upper airway mucosal immunity

• Build an immune (epithelial-immune-microbe) atlas of the upper airway mucosa in humans

Kim G et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2026

The upper airway mucosa act as a first-line barrier against respiratory pathogens. Due to its unique anatomic locations, the mucosal immune system in the upper airway mucosa plays a pivotal role in host defense.

We aim to:

• Characterize host antiviral immune responses in the upper airway mucosa

• Develop novel immunotherapeutics or vaccines strategies improving mucosal immune responses against respiratory pathogens

Rha MS et al., Nat Commun 2024 

Jung JH et al., Nat Commun 2022 

Rha MS et al., Immunity 2021