Working Groups

Welcome to the website for the Assembly on Respiratory Structure and Function (RSF) Early Career Professionals Working Group. The RSF Early Career Professionals Working Group was established in 2011 to ensure that the views of the junior members of the Assembly on RSF, specifically trainees and junior faculty, are brought forth to the Assembly leadership. Because the ATS is truly an international organization, our Working Group consists of graduate students, post-doctoral and clinical fellows, and junior faculty from three continents so that we have a global perspective of the unique needs of trainees and junior faculty within the Assembly. Furthermore, we work closely with the Assembly leadership to facilitate these needs. Since its inception, the Working Group has been actively involved in a number of activities to enhance networking and career development opportunities for trainees and junior faculty within the Assembly. For example, we have listed a few of our ongoing projects here:

• We are responsible for the organization of the annual Assembly on RSF Pre-Business Meeting, which gives trainees and junior faculty the opportunity to meet and network with members of the Assembly leadership.
• We submit career development Workshop proposals for trainees and junior faculty to the Assembly Program Committee. To date, two of our Workshop proposals have been programmed for presentation at the annual ATS International Conference.
• We have established and currently coordinate an Assembly Mentoring Program for trainees and junior faculty.

If you are interested in becoming involved with the activities of the RSF Early Career Professionals Working Group or have any suggestions of how we can enhance career development opportunities for trainees and junior faculty within the Assembly, please contact the Working Group Chair, Alane Dy.

The mission of the ATS Ph.D. and Basic and Translational Scientist Working Group is to advocate for science and discovery by promoting basic/translational research throughout all channels of the ATS.

We are committed to highlighting and supporting basic and translational scientists, with a particular focus on the unique perspectives and contributions of Ph.D. scientists, to enhance and promote the overall ATS mission, driving innovations in global health by advancing scientific discoveries, enhancing patient care, and strengthening public health via research of pulmonary disease, critical illness, and sleep disorders. Ph.D. and basic/translational scientists bring indispensable skill sets to tackle important scientific challenges, and are a critical component of the overarching ATS goals to further scientific discovery.

About the Ph.D. and Basic and Translational Scientist Working Group (PBTS WG)

Founded in January 2019, the PBTS WG is a dynamic team of approximately 40 members, representing all 14 ATS Assemblies, united by one goal to amplify the role and impact of Ph.D., basic, and translational scientists within the ATS. What began as a movement within the Assembly on RSF has grown into a collaborative effort across all ATS Assemblies to ensure basic research is actively promoted and celebrated across the society.

Our Working Group meets monthly to discuss key topics affecting non-clinical ATS members and clinician-scientists engaged in fundamental and/or translational research. The PBTS WG helps to develop strategies to enhance participation of Ph.D., basic, and translational scientists in ATS, and promotes opportunities to network with leaders in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep research.

In close partnership with the Science and Innovation Center (SIC), we organize events tailored for Ph.D. researchers, including the popular SIC Ph.D. Reception, ensuring that the importance of basic science toward the ATS shared mission is evident and celebrated.

Our Goals

• Fostering Inclusivity of the ATS Membership: We’re creating leadership opportunities for Ph.D., basic science, and translational researchers within the ATS, and advocate for more Ph.D. scientists in leadership roles (e.g., Executive Committee members, Board Directors, Assembly Chairs, and Committee Leaders).
• Spotlighting Breakthrough Research: From scientific symposia to "Meet the Expert" seminars, we’re promoting cutting-edge research by Ph.D., basic, and translational scientists, and help guide Assembly programming to include important basic research topics. We also host seminars to showcase new techniques and innovations in research.
• Recognizing Excellence: Through identifying and nominating Ph.D. scientists, we’re increasing the number of awards and honors given to basic and translational researchers across ATS.
• Promoting Contributions of PBTS in ATS: We recognize that basic/translational science is a major contributor to the development of novel insights and discoveries in respiratory health. We aim to highlight and prioritize the contributions of PBTS members in research discoveries relevant to the ATS.
• Advancing Career Development of Early Career Ph.D., Basic, and Translational Scientists: Through seminars, workshops, collaboration, and outreach, we strive to promote the career development of fellows and junior faculty members in the ATS community.

Our Accomplishments

The PBTS WG has had major successes in representing the needs of Ph.D., basic, and translational researchers at the highest levels of ATS. We’ve successfully advocated for reduced conference fees for Ph.D. members, launched surveys to better understand community needs and improve membership, expanded the focus on basic science topics and programming at the ATS International Conference, and have worked to ensure Ph.D. scientists are put forward for consideration for Assembly and Society-wide awards. Through our efforts, we continue to ensure that Ph.D., basic and translational scientists are represented, recognized, and supported across ATS as we push the boundaries of discovery and make a lasting impact in the field of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep research.