51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ

Since 1905, the American Thoracic Society (ATS) conference has highlighted novel research and clinical advances in respiratory science from across the globe. At this year’s event in San Diego, the 51¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ School of Medicine’s Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine (PACCSM) participated in more than 150 posters, workshops and oral presentations, including four by PACCSM fellows Clare Cene-Kush, Kyle Inman, Priya Soni and Anne Yang.

Fellows were honored with numerous awards, including an Academic Sleep and Pulmonary Integrated Research/Clinical Fellowship awarded to Catherine Tarantine, a BWF Physician Scientist Incubator Program Scholarship awarded to Tina Okereke, and a first-place win in the ATS Teaching Competition by Rachel Wojcik. Kassandra Allbright received a travel award and a Clinical Problems abstract scholarship; ATS also awarded abstract scholarships to Muhtadi Alnababteh (Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology), Hiam Naiditch (Critical Care) and Peter Nauka (Thoracic Oncology).

The following PACCSM faculty were honored for excellence in pulmonary research and commitment to mentoring:

• Anuradha Ray, professor of medicine and UPMC Endowed Chair in Lung Immunology, was inducted as an ATS Fellow. ATS Fellows are recognized for their contributions to the society and for their achievements and dedication to pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine.
• Melanie Königshoff, professor of medicine and director of the Center for Lung Aging and Regeneration, was awarded the Andrew Tager Mentoring Award by the Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology Assembly.
• Georgios Kitsios, assistant professor of medicine, received the Jo Rae Wright Award for Scientific Achievement for his work in the human microbiome, mechanical ventilation and infection diagnostics as well as for treating patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and severe pneumonia.
• Assistant Professors Corrine Kliment and Ioannis Konstantinidis received Rising Star Awards from the Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology Assembly and Pulmonary Infections and Tuberculosis Assembly, respectively.
• Eleanor Valenzi, assistant professor of medicine, received the Assembly on Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology Recognition of Early Academic Achievement Award (REAAch) for her research on interstitial lung disease.