Susan M. Majka, PhD Ask a Question Refer Patient Susan M. Majka, PhD, is a researcher at National Jewish Health. Dr. Majka is in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine and Department of Biomedical Research. Professor Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine Department of Medicine Department of Biomedical Research 5280 Top Doctors 2019 Previously a 5280 Top Doctor America’s Top Doctors 2015 — Castle Connolly, Medical, Ltd. Recognized in America’s Top Doctors — Castle Connolly, Inc. Best Doctors in America® 2018-2019 — Best Doctors, Inc. Recognized in Best Doctors in America® — Best Doctors, Inc. America’s Top Doctors 2019 — Castle Connolly Medical, Ltd. Email Profile Print Profile × No Rating Available In order to provide the most accurate and useful information on our providers, we only post satisfaction data when a provider has received a minimum of 30 survey responses. We have not yet received the minimum number of surveys for this provider, or this provider is a researcher who only sees a limited number of patients in clinic. To learn more about this survey, visit our about the Press Ganey Survey page. Overview Contact Info & Locations Programs & Services Department of Biomedical Research Department of Medicine Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine (Adult) Research Areas Mesenchymal Stem Cells Microvascular Remodeling & Regeneration Regenerative Medicine Special Interests The focus of the work in the Majka laboratory is to understand how the normal and reparative function of resident lung mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPC) is altered during the development and course of lung diseases (including pulmonary hypertension, fibrosis, emphysema and TSC/LAM). In order to define a role for lung MPC during lung disease we employ model systems. We use patient derived MPC and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) as cell based models to understand changes in which occur in MPC as a result of disease specific gene mutations. There is an increasing emphasis on the development of cell-based therapies to address chronic lung conditions, but to date the lung is a recalcitrant candidate for these strategies because of the lack of understanding of how chronic disease processes affect progenitor cell differentiation. Therefore, prior to testing cell-based therapy, it is desirable to use pre-clinical models of lung injury and chronic disease to determine how changes in the lung tissue during the development of disease affect resident stem cell differentiation and function. Our laboratory has identified and characterized the novel cell population of lung MPC. We have demonstrated that these cells are present in the distal lung associated with the smallest blood vessels that promote gas exchange in both mouse and human tissue. Recent studies in our lab have shown that normal function of the lung MPC is to maintaining the function of the smallest blood vessels in the lung. When compromised in disease these cells become abnormal and participate in remodeling, causing loss of blood vessel function. Understanding what regulates MPC function under normal and disease processes will help us to promote lung repair. See More View Publications Education Education 1992 - 1997 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, PhD, Biomedical Sciences, Cell & Molecular Biology 1988 - 1992 Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, BS Biotechnology/BS Animal Science Awards & Recognition 2000: NIH Postdoctoral Fellow, Baylor College of Medicine 2001: Pediatric Postdoctoral Fellow Research Award, Baylor College of Medicine 2005: Mentor: Poster Award Department of Medicine Research Day; CU SOM, Denver,CO 2007: Finalist The Cournand & Comroe Young Investigator Prize In CPCC-AHA 2008: Mentor: UCD Chancellors Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research 2013: Mentor: Abstract Award-Platform presentation. Vermont Lung Stem Cell Conference 2014: Mentor: Poster Award FASEB conference. Lung Epithelium in Health & Disease Professional Memberships NAVBO ATS AHA ISSCR Academic Affiliations Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Aurora CO Website Information Majka Laboratory Ask a Question through Patient Portal Sign in to your My National Jewish Health patient portal account to communicate with your care team, manage appointments, and more. Create an Account Contact Information Office: 303.398.1087 Locations National Jewish Health Main Campus 1400 Jackson St. Denver, CO 80206 Patient Ratings The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our independent rating system, the Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. This survey is about the patient care experience and does not address crucial characteristics like medical decision-making, prescribing the best therapy, and patient outcomes. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Learn more about our patient satisfaction survey. Comments Comments are collected in our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Surveys. Patients are de-identified to protect confidentiality and patient privacy. Learn more about our patient satisfaction survey.