Key Facts:
· Respiratory researchers, clinicians and emerging leaders have been recognised at TSANZSRS 2026 through a series of TSANZ awards, fellowships and research honours.
· Recipients represent leading institutions across Australia and New Zealand, spanning paediatric respiratory health, asthma, cystic fibrosis, Indigenous lung health and respiratory nursing.
· The awards recognise contributions across all career stages, from PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers to senior clinical and scientific leaders.
Perth, 31 March 2026 - The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) has recognised an outstanding group of researchers, clinicians and scientific leaders at the TSANZSRS Annual Scientific Meeting 2026, with awards announced across Saturday's TSANZ Annual General Meeting and Monday's TSANZ Wunderly Oration, Plenary and Awards for Respiratory Research, TSANZ Ann Woolcock New Investigator Session, and TSANZ Gala Dinner.
"I am incredibly proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of these talented researchers. Their work continues to shape the future of respiratory health across Australia and New Zealand, and it is an honour to support them through these awards", said TSANZ President, Professor Natasha Smallwood.
TSANZ Fellowships
A group of senior clinicians and researchers were recognised with TSANZ Fellowships during the TSANZ Annual General Meeting, honouring their sustained service and exceptional contributions to respiratory health in Australia and New Zealand.
This year's fellows were:
- Professor Andrew Chan, Royal North Shore Hospital
- Dr Angela Burge, Monash University
- Associate Professor Conroy Wong, University of Auckland
- Professor Fraser Brims, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
- Associate Professor Heinrich Weber, Northwest Regional Hospital and University of Tasmania
- Dr Kimberley Wang, The University of Western Australia
- Dr Paul Dawkins, Middlemore Hospital
- Associate Professor Steven Mutsaers, Institute for Respiratory Health
President's Award and Awards for Respiratory Research
The TSANZ President's Award was presented to Associate Professor Hamish Graham, from Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI), over the 'TSANZ: Wunderly Oration, Plenary and Awards for Respiratory Research session', in recognition of his outstanding contribution and leadership within the respiratory field.
Career development and fellowship awards recognise researchers building momentum in areas that remain central to respiratory health. Recipients included:
- TSANZ Janet Elder International Travel Award (ECR): Dr Amy Pascoe, Monash University
- TSANZ Janet Elder International Travel Award (ECR): Dr Ryan Mackle, UNSW Medicine & Health
- TSANZ Janet Elder International Travel Award (MCR): Dr Dinh Bui, University of Melbourne
- TSANZ and National Asthma Council Australia Asthma and Airways Career Development Fellowship: Dr Dennis Thomas, University of Newcastle
- Cure4 Cystic Fibrosis Career Development Award: Dr Ayaho Yamamoto, The University of Queensland
- Cure4 Cystic Fibrosis Career Development Award, and Cure4 Cystic Fibrosis Career Development Award (ECR): Dr Kak Ming Ling, The Kids Research Institute Australia
- Cure4 Cystic Fibrosis Career Development Award (ECR): Mr Jack Canning, The Kids Research Institute Australia
- TSANZ Past Presidents Award: Dr Timothy Howarth, Charles Darwin University
- TSANZ Peter Phelan Paediatric Research Award: Dr Cassidy Du Berry, Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI)
- TSANZ Indigenous Respiratory Nursing Award: Mrs Siji Isaac, Royal Darwin Hospital
- TSANZ Chiesi Australia Advancing Women in Respiratory Health Award (ECR): Mrs Kelsey Sharrad, University of South Australia
- TSANZ Chiesi Australia Advancing Women in Respiratory Health Award (MCR): Dr Elena Schneider-Futschik, University of Melbourne
- TSANZ Rob Pierce Grant-in-Aid for Indigenous Lung Health: Professor André Schultz, The Kids Research Institute Australia
- TSANZ GSK Clinical Research Award: Dr Narelle Cox, Monash University
Ann Woolcock New Investigator Award
The TSANZ Ann Woolcock New Investigator Session featured six finalists presenting emerging research across pleural disease, cystic fibrosis, COPD, phage therapy and rare inherited lung disease. The finalists were:
- Mrs Bianca Iacopetta, Edith Cowan University
- Mr Jack Canning, The Kids Research Institute Australia
- Miss Laura Dowling, University of Newcastle
- Dr Meera Srinivasan, Canberra Hospital
- Mr Rohan Flint, University of Western Australia
- Mrs Sahel Amoozadeh, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and University of Melbourne
The Ann Woolcock New Investigator Award was announced later at the TSANZ Gala Dinner, where Mr Jack Canning was recognised for his outstanding presentation on bacteriophage to treat Burkholderia cepacia complex infections in Cystic Fibrosis, and for scientific merit.
Medals at the Gala Dinner
Medals presented at the TSANZ Gala Dinner recognised long-standing contribution and leadership across research, education, training and advocacy in respiratory health. Recipients were:
- TSANZ Society Medal: Professor Matthew Peters, Concord Hospital
- TSANZ Education and Training Medal: Professor Jane Bourke, Monash University
- TSANZ Education and Training Medal: Associate Professor Christopher Worsnop, Austin Health
- TSANZ Research Medal: Professor Vanessa McDonald, University of Newcastle
- TSANZ Research Medal: Professor Sarath Ranganathan, University of Melbourne
- TSANZ Advocacy Medal: Dr Stuart Jones, Middlemore Hospital.
Congratulations to all recipients for their contribution to respiratory health and for the work they continue to do to advance the field across Australia and New Zealand.
About us:
About TSANZ
The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) is the peak professional body representing more than 1,800 respiratory health professionals across medicine, nursing, allied health, and research. TSANZ provides evidence-based advice, delivers professional training, and supports research to improve lung health outcomes across Australia and New Zealand. The TSANZSRS ASM, taking place in Perth from 27 to 31 March 2026, showcase the latest research, developments, and innovations in lung health, offering a platform for professionals to engage with experts from across the region.
