Aliva De, MD

My interest in pediatric pulmonology stems from my early pediatric training, where I first learned about the wide spectrum of respiratory diseases that affect children. I recognized the unique opportunity I would have as a pulmonologist to make a difference in young people's lives. During a pediatric pulmonology fellowship at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles, I developed a strong foundation in a variety of respiratory issues, and in my current practice I diagnose and treat children of all ages with lung conditions including asthma, chronic lung disorders of infancy, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, interstitial lung diseases, pulmonary hypoplasia, obstructive sleep apnea, obesity-related pulmonary diseases, and pulmonary dysfunction in musculoskeletal disorders. My patients come from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds and I strive to provide culturally sensitive and evidence-based clinical care. At Columbia, I am part of a team with unique expertise with performing pulmonary function and exercise physiology tests to assess our patients. We also work closely with other specialties to manage children and adolescents with complex conditions. I am also involved in research and educational activities. I have studied long-term pulmonary complications in children with sickle cell disease and congenital diaphragmatic hernia, as well as in those who are undergoing cancer therapy or stem cell transplantation. I am member of national committees and networks of experts who study rare lung disorders. I am engaged in clinical trials of new drug therapies for children with interstitial lung diseases, and am also actively engaged in pediatric asthma research. Additionally, I lead the pulmonology fellowship training program here at Columbia, through which we teach and train the next generation of physicians to become future leaders in pediatric pulmonology.