James Dodd inaugural lecture: From particles to patients, Apps to AI, exploring the link between the lungs, heart and mind!

This inaugural lecture is the opportunity to share my journey as a clinical academic in respiratory medicine – shaped by the opportunities given to me by countless inspirational mentors, patients, colleagues and collaborators. Together, we have established one of the UK’s leading specialist airways services and built a critical mass of clinical academics in Bristol’s Academic Respiratory Unit, enabling the integration of research and innovation into frontline patient care.

I will present research – spanning clinical trials, epidemiology, the arts, and engineering. I’ll discuss how our airways research team is investigating the impact of asthma and COPD on the brain, heart, and mental health; how we are leveraging detailed data from birth cohorts to explore the origins of lung disease; and harnessing AI and digital technologies to help reduce pressure on the NHS.

At a time when respiratory disease is firmly at the forefront of global health, I will reflect on what it has meant to be given the opportunity to lead across disciplines – for lungs, and beyond!

The speaker

James Dodd is a Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Bristol, and Consultant Respiratory Physician at North Bristol NHS Trust. James co-leads the respiratory disease theme within the NIHR Bristol BRC, overseeing an interdisciplinary research programme in digital health and integrative epidemiology in asthma, and COPD.

Born in Wolverhampton, he moved to Bristol to study medicine in 1996, later completing postgraduate training in respiratory and general medicine throughout the South West.

James discovered his passion for research during his PhD at St George’s University of London in 2009, where he described brain pathology and cognitive dysfunction in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). He returned to Bristol in 2012 as an NIHR academic clinical lecturer and was appointed Respiratory Consultant at Southmead Hospital in 2015.

With the support of an MRC CARP award in 2018, James was able to pursue his research interests into the multisystem effects of chronic lung disease, along with an emerging interest in the use of AI and digital technology. He currently serves as a clinical lead for the National Respiratory Audit Programme (NRAP) and NHSE Respiratory Transformation Programme.