Aaron W. Young, PhD

Assistant Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Dr. Young joined the Department of Physiology & Biophysics at BUSM in 2012. Prior to arriving at BUSM, he completed his undergraduate (HBMSc) and graduate (PhD) training in Canada; both in Physiology & Pharmacology. His previous research experience centered on respiratory, cardiovascular, and exercise physiology in a clinical setting, working with athletes and chronic lung disease patients.

From 2017-2022, Dr. Young was the Co-Director of the integrated first-year Principles Integrating Science and Medicine (PrISM) curriculum for the Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine MD Program, involving leadership and administration for all foundational basic sciences. He was also the founding Module Director of the Respiratory System module of PrISM, and founding Course Director of Physician Assistant Physiology for the Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine – Graduate Medical Sciences Physician Assistant Program, which ran from 2015-2022 & 2014-2022, respectively. Dr. Young is now the Co-Director of the Pulmonary module of the new Principles Integrating Science, Clinical Medicine, and Equity (PISCEs) curriculum for the Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine MD Program, and continues to be involved in the broader design and implementation of Physiology content in the MD Program.

Dr. Young is also primarily involved in physiology, endocrinology, and neuroscience education for:
• Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine MD Program
• Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine – Graduate Medical Sciences Masters of Medical Science (MAMS) Program
• Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine – Graduate Medical Sciences Physician Assistant Program
• Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine – Graduate Medical Sciences Oral Health Sciences Program
• Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine DMD Program

He also serves as a Thesis Advisor (First or Second Reader) for the Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine – Graduate Medical Sciences Masters of Medical Science Program and the Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine – Graduate Medical Sciences Physician Assistant Program.

Dr. Young’s work passions include being heavily involved in the design and development of health professions curriculum, utilization of clinical cases in foundational basic science education, implementation of evidence-based, inclusive pedagogical techniques, and the integration of teaching and technology. In September 2022 Dr. Young enthusiastically joined the OHS Program as Assistant Director, and he greatly enjoys being deeply involved with the program and its incredible students!

When he’s not at work, Dr. Young can be found (or maybe not…) hiking in one of the many nature preserves in New England with his wife Rebecca, and their two sons Stone and Cole! He also has a very bizarre, esoteric passion for learning how things work…anything…in great detail…from kitchen appliances and smart home thermostats to pulmonary function assessment devices!!

Publications

  • Published 4/22/2018

    Edgar B. Herwick III. Why Does A 75-Degree House Feel Cold In The Summer And Hot In The Winter?. WGBH. Boston. 2018.

    Read at: Custom

  • Published 4/10/2014

    Scott JA, Duongh M, Young AW, Subbarao P, Gauvreau GM, Grasemann H. Asymmetric dimethylarginine in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (ADMA in COPD). Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Apr 10; 15(4):6062-71. PMID: 24727374.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 10/1/2011

    Aaron W. Young. ANTICHOLINERGIC THERAPY IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE: NOVEL MECHANISMS OF ACTION. Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. 2011.

    Read at: Custom

  • Published 1/1/2010

    AW Young, M Duong, G Gauvreau, KJ Killian. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. Vital Capacity Prediction Equations Fail To Conform To Biological Reality. 2010; 181:A3652.

    Read at: Custom

  • Published 1/1/2009

    AW Young, M Duong, G Gauvreau, KJ Killian. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. Dyspnea During Exercise in COPD: Change in VE vs. Change in MBC. 2009; 179:A2036.

    Read at: Custom