Meet the 2025 Winners: Shaili Amatya, MD and Weston Powell, MD, PhD
Shaili Amatya, MD is a neonatologist and scientist affiliated with the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, at the Hershey Medical Center. Her research focuses on surfactant proteins, particularly surfactant protein A and its receptor, SP-R210. Dr. Amatya investigates the critical roles these proteins play in the developmental responses to lung injury, with a special emphasis on preterm infants who are vulnerable to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a serious condition that affects their lung development. In addition to her primary research pursuits, Dr. Amatya is dedicated to uncovering the intricate molecular mechanisms that mediate intercellular communication through extracellular vesicles. Her innovative translational research methodology incorporates the use of transgenic mouse models alongside preterm human cohort study. Through this multifaceted approach, she examines how extracellular vesicle signaling functions, as well as the significant effects that changes in extracellular vesicle composition can have on alveolar injury and the ensuing development of BPD, particularly in relation to surfactant protein A and its receptor. Dr. Amatya's work aims to advance the understanding of lung development and injury response in premature infants, with the goal of improving clinical outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Dr. Powell received an MD and PhD from the University of California at Davis School of Medicine where he conducted research in Dr. Janine LaSalle’s lab on epigenetic of neurodevelopment and discovered a love for circadian rhythm biology. He then completed residency and chief residency in Pediatrics at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital. He stayed at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital for Sleep Medicine and Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine fellowship. He joined the division of Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital in 2023. Combining an interest in airway diseases and circadian biology, Dr. Powell conducts translational research investigating circadian rhythms in pediatric sleep, airway and lung diseases. His current focus is on epithelial innate immune responses in asthma pathogenesis, while seeking to answer the broad question “why do we all cough more at night when we’re sick?”
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Description
The Assembly on Pediatrics will be presenting its Lifetime Contributions to the Pediatric Respiratory Medicine Award. This award is given to a candidate at the Professor or Professor Emeritus level who is recognized for achievement in teaching, clinical care, research, advocacy, or scholarship over the course of their entire career. The individual should be known for dedicating their life to the advancement of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine. This award will honor the individual’s contributions which significantly enhanced child lung health. Candidates in Pediatric Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Neonatal Medicine will be considered.
Criteria
- The nominee is a member of the ATS.
- One letter of support outlining the candidate’s contributions to the science, education, practice, and/or advocacy in Pediatric Respiratory Medicine. There may be co-signatories, but only one letter will be accepted.
- The nominee’s curriculum vitae.
- Copies of 3 seminal manuscripts published by the candidate (please consolidate manuscripts into one document before uploading).
- Candidates with more than 25 years of active participation in the specialty, and those with active contributions to the Pediatric Assembly, the ATS, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, or similar institutions, will be viewed favorably.