This year, the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand and Society of Respiratory Science (TSANZSRS) Annual Scientific Meeting was held 27–31 March at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, under the theme Lungs Under the Microscope.
The meeting brought together clinicians, researchers, and allied health professionals from across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.
The Respiratory Centre was well represented across all four conference days.
"A substantial number of researchers from the Centre attended the meeting. Many presented their research, and several won awards. The high number of quality presentations highlighted the Centre's leading role in children's lung health research," Professor André Schultz, Head of the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre.
The Centre's presence spanned nearly every corner of the program:
- ~45+ presentations and roles
- Across ~25 distinct sessions
- Featured across plenaries, symposia, oral sessions, panels, debates, workshops, and roundtables
That breadth was matched by impressive results across the Meeting's awards:
- Jack Canning — National winner, Ann Woolcock New Investigator Award
- Rohan Flint — Finalist, Ann Woolcock New Investigator Award
- Dr Kak Ming Ling: Winner, Cure4CF Foundation Career Development Award
- Dr Kak Ming Ling: Winner, Cure4CF Foundation International Travel Award
- Mr Jack Canning: Winner, Cure4CF Foundation International Travel Award
- Craig Schofield and Crystal Bourke: Lung Foundation Australia Travel Awards, to present their PhD research at the World Bronchiectasis Conference in Hanover, Germany
- Professor André Schultz: Robert Pierce Grant in Aid for Indigenous Health Research
- Dr Daniel Laucirica: Won the TSANZ debate session
"The many awards represent strong recognition across Australia and New Zealand of the excellent research conducted at the Centre," said Professor Schultz.
Professor Schultz also reflected on the focus of this year's meeting, and what it meant for where the field is heading.
"There was a strong focus on understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of disease to develop strategies for prevention and treatment, an area that remains a core strength of the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre," said Professor Schultz.
Researchers from the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre.
First published Friday 24 April 2026.
View all news articles