Meet the 2026 Awardee: Emmanuel T. Osei, PhD
Emmanuel T. Osei, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan (UBC-O), where he leads the Lung Bioartificial Model Lab, and an Adjunct Professor at the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation (HLI, UBC Vancouver). He is an internationally recognized lung cell biologist and bioengineer whose research focuses on how multicellular interactions drive inflammation and fibrosis in lung diseases. At UBC Okanagan, he co-leads the Immunobiology Research Excellence Cluster, funded to catalyze multidisciplinary research at the interface of immunology, bioengineering, and (lung) disease.
Dr. Osei completed a joint PhD between UBC and the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands, following earlier training in Ghana, where he earned a first-class Honors BSc, and in the U.K., supported by a prestigious Commonwealth Shared Scholarship. He subsequently undertook postdoctoral training at the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, where he developed advanced biomimetic lung models, including organoids, lung-on-chip systems, and mechanodynamic 3D culture platforms.
His research program integrates engineered human-relevant in vitro systems with molecular and imaging approaches to uncover mechanisms of immune–structural cell-ECM interactions in diseases such as asthma and COPD. His work has led to key discoveries, including epithelial derived IL-1 signaling as a regulator of fibroblast-driven inflammation and matrix remodeling.
Dr. Osei has published 30 peer-reviewed articles, with the majority as first or senior author, and has secured >$1.4 million in funding. His contributions have been recognized with over 30 awards, including the ATS–APSR Young Investigator Award, the Dr. Stuart J. Hirst Award, the Michael Smith Health Research Trainee Award, and the James C. Hogg Outstanding Young Investigator Award.
Beyond his research, Dr. Osei is an emerging leader in respiratory science, contributing to the field through editorial roles at Nature’s Scientific Reports and strong partnerships with industry and interdisciplinary collaborators. He is actively engaged in national and international scientific initiatives that advance translational and biomimetic approaches to lung disease. Equally, he is a dedicated mentor who has trained a diverse cohort of >20 trainees across undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels. Dr. Osei is also deeply committed to advancing equity and inclusion in science, serving as a mentor within the CIHR Research Excellence, Diversity, and Independence (REDI) program and supporting the development of early-career researchers from equity-seeking groups.
Award Description
This award honors the life of the late Ann Woolcock, M.B.B.S., F.R.A.C.P., A.O., of Sydney University. Dr. Woolcock was an international leader in the field of asthma in areas of epidemiology, physiology and medicine. The eligibility criteria for this award have been designed to reflect Dr. Woolcock's priorities during her long, prolific career. The award is intended for all areas of research on obstructive airway disease. It is further intended as recognition for overall accomplishment and future promise by a junior investigator. Nomination of diverse candidates is encouraged.
The award consists of a certificate and an honorarium, which will be presented at the ATS International Conference. RSF gratefully acknowledges GlaxoSmithKline and the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand for their support of this award.
Criteria
- Junior investigator at the rank of postdoctoral or medical fellow, assistant professor or equivalent
- Normally RSF Assembly membership, but suitable candidates from other ATS Assemblies will be considered
- More than one first-authored paper in a well-respected journal
- Early career accomplishments and future promise
- Research efforts in broad area of obstructive airway disease, which may include work at the basic, clinical, epidemiological or other levels
- Nominee’s current curriculum vitae including a list of nominee’s publications
- Nominator’s letter of recommendation
Nomination letter should describe nominee's
- Research contributions in broad area of obstructive airway disease
- Independence or future potential for independence
- Involvement in ATS, including any involvement in RSF Assembly
- Service to the broader scientific or medical community, if applicable
- Mentorship or teaching activities