The European Respiratory Society (ERS), the largest scientific and clinical entity in respiratory medicine in Europe, continues its annual tradition of honouring exceptional members who have made significant contributions in the respiratory field.

The ERS promotes excellence in research and clinical practice through the ERS Awards, its award program that recognizes both young talents and outstanding veterans in respiratory medicine for their scientific achievements and commitment to society. Ongoing commitment to the ERS is also considered.

In the 2024 edition, the ERS celebrated the remarkable contributions of various professionals, including Dr. Eva Polverino, principal investigator of the Pneumology Research Group at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR). Specifically, she has been recognized in the Teaching category for her commitment to research and education in respiratory diseases.

Dr. Polverino is an expert in pulmonary pathophysiology and has worked intensively in the area of respiratory infections since 2007. Additionally, Dr. Polverino has developed her career in an academic setting, working at the University of Pisa and the University of Barcelona, with a constant focus on education. She has supervised several doctoral theses and mentored young researchers in their early career stages, both in Spain and at the European level, through her work with the ERS, with which she has collaborated since 2000.

Within the ERS, Dr. Polverino has been a key figure in organizing numerous educational activities, including courses, webinars, scientific symposia, postgraduate programs, and research seminars. Between 2011 and 2023, she played important roles in Assembly 10, focused on respiratory infections, where she was instrumental in creating a long-term educational plan that covered all areas of respiratory diseases and relevant topics through congress sessions and other educational activities. In 2019, Dr. Polverino spearheaded the creation of a new multidisciplinary group focused on cystic fibrosis, aiming to address the educational and research needs in this area and to develop training activities to support pulmonologists and other professionals treating patients with this disease.

“Education, communication, and collaboration are fundamental pillars for improving respiratory health and strengthening the scientific community of the future,” says Dr. Polverino, grateful for this recognition.