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Jason Akulian, MD, MPH, is a UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center member interested in minimally invasive diagnosis of early and advanced stage lung cancer.

MD, MPH
Associate Professor, Medicine-Pulmonary
UNC-Chapel Hill
Interventional Pulmonology
Clinical Research

Area of Interest

Dr. Akulian’s primary research focus is on the minimally invasive diagnosis of lung cancer and the study of tumor-immune interaction in pursuit of developing novel adoptive cellular therapies. One of his areas of interest is preclinical and clinical research into the utilization of minimally invasive diagnostic techniques such as robotic assisted bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound for early detection and treatment of lung cancer. Dr. Akulian has also served as PI for multiple clinical trials studying the effect of intratumoral and intrapleural therapy delivery for the treatment of advanced stage lung cancer. These interests and the clinical Interventional Pulmonary program developed by him led to the establishment of the UNC Tarheel Lung Cancer Biorepository which continues to enroll patients in an effort to drive impactful collaborative translational lung cancer research. Dr. Akulian is also nationally recognized having served as President of the Association of Interventional Pulmonary Program Directors as well as American College of Chest Physicians Thoracic Oncology and Chest Procedures Network Chair. It is through these efforts that he aims to achieve his goal is to advance translational science to develop new strategies to diagnose, prevent, treat, and ultimately improve outcomes in patients with lung cancer.

Find publications on PubMed

Awards and Honors

  • ACCP/CHEST Distinguished CHEST Educator Award, 2018-2022
  • Association of Interventional Pulmonary Program Directors Presidential Citation Award, 2019
  • Fellow of the American Thoracic Society, 2019
  • Association of Interventional Pulmonary Program Directors Education Award, 2018
  • Fellow of the College of Chest Physicians, 2018
  • ACCP Center of Excellence – Johns Hopkins Interventional Pulmonology, 2012
  • Outstanding Abstract, Interventional Chest/Diagnostic Procedures. ACCP/CHEST National Meeting, 2012
  • Ralph E. Reinfrank Teaching Excellence Award. University of Connecticut Internal Medicine Program, Farmington, CT, 2008
  • Named Chief Resident for 2008-2009 – University of Connecticut Internal Medicine Program, Farmington, CT, 2007
  • Award of Commendation – University of Connecticut Internal Medicine Residency, 2005-2007
  • Member of Iota Alpha Epsilon – International Medical Honor Society St. Georges University School of Medicine, 2002-2004
  • Dean’s List – St. Georges University School of Medicine, 2001-2004
  • Dean’s List – Loma Linda University School of Public Health, 1999
  • Dean’s List – University of California Riverside, 1997

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