Joe G.N. Garcia, MD

Dr. Joe G. N. “Skip” Garcia is a renowned pulmonary physician-scientist and a distinguished figure in the field of medicine. He currently holds several prestigious positions, including being an endowed professor and the Director of the Center for Inflammation Sciences and Systems Medicine at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology. Additionally, he serves as the Associate Vice President of Research at the University of Florida. Dr. Garcia’s contributions to the medical community have been recognized by his election as a member of the National Academy of Medicine.

Dr. Garcia’s expertise lies in the genetic basis of lung disease and the prevention and treatment of inflammatory lung injury. He is widely acknowledged for his groundbreaking work in developing novel biomarkers and therapies for critically ill patients affected by acute inflammatory lung disease. Furthermore, Dr. Garcia’s research efforts extend to addressing health disparities among vulnerable populations. His remarkable achievements are evident in his extensive publication record, which includes over 575 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Garcia’s dedication to advancing medical knowledge is reflected in his leadership of large federally-funded programs and his impressive portfolio of NIH-sponsored research.

Dr. Garcia’s expertise extends to the genetic basis of inflammatory lung disease, with a particular focus on health disparities, as well as the mechanistic understanding of lung vascular permeability. Through bench-to-bedside approaches, his laboratory has conducted innovative research to develop methods aimed at preventing vascular leak, restoring endothelial cell barrier function, and maintaining vascular integrity.

Given their deep knowledge of lung inflammation and vascular permeability, Dr. Garcia’s lab has also explored the role of lung vasculature in the development of lung metastases. Leveraging their expertise in genomics, they have identified vascular genes that are crucial participants in both inflammatory lung injury and cancer development. Their investigations have led to the development of lung endothelial inflammatory gene expression profiles and diagnostic gene signatures influenced by key genes such as MYLK and NAMPT, which have implications for lung and breast cancer prognosis.

Furthermore, their work with NAMPT has resulted in the development of a therapeutic NAMPT neutralizing antibody. This antibody has shown promise in treating various cancers, including lung cancer, melanoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Additionally, Dr. Garcia’s laboratory is actively involved in studying the adverse effects of thoracic radiation and exploring strategies to mitigate radiation-induced pneumonitis, fibrosis, and vascular leak.