Daniel Weiss, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of medicine at the University of Vermont College of Medicine, has been named the American Lung Association (ALA) National Volunteer of the Week for the week of November 28, 2011.

Weiss, whose research focuses on developing stem cell and cell therapy approaches for lung diseases, is a volunteer member of the ALA Scientific Advisory Committee and serves as chair of the ALA Basic Science Peer Review Committee. His volunteer work has been influential in helping the ALA in improving lung health – the organization’s core mission. His relationship with the ALA began in 2004 when he was awarded a Career Investigator Award to study cystic fibrosis. In his role on the Scientific Advisory Committee, Weiss helps provide guidance to the ALA on scientific matters. He has served as a member of the ALA Basic Science Peer Review Committee since 2006, and chair of the Committee since 2008.

“Dan is a long standing volunteer, whose passion for the continued support of ALA research has been instrumental in our ongoing efforts to continue to increase expenditures for research,” says Elizabeth Lancet, assistant vice president, research at the American Lung Association.

Prior to joining the UVM College of Medicine/Fletcher Allen Health Care faculty in 2001, Weiss served on the faculty at the University of Washington in Seattle. He received his medical and doctoral degrees from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

About the American Lung Association’s Role in Research
Research is an integral part of the American Lung Association’s history. The American Lung Association has long funded vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. Across the country, people are living healthier, more active lives, thanks to medical breakthroughs pioneered by American Lung Association researchers. Scientific discoveries have led to major medical advances and research can lead to improving treatments and lives being saved.