Meet the 2025 Winner: Janette K. Burgess, BSc, PhD, ATSF
Janette Burgess, BSc, PhD, ATSF is Professor of Extracellular Matrix in Disease Pathogenesis within the Department of Pathology and Medical Biology at University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. Janette completed her Bachelor of Science (with honors) at the University of Adelaide, Australia in 1991 and her PhD at the University of New South Wales in Hematology in 1998. After completing her PhD, she moved to the University of Sydney and the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research where she was awarded several National competitive Postdoctoral fellowships. In 2015 a Rosalind Franklin Fellowship brought her to join the University Medical Center Groningen, where she is now a tenured Professor.
Janette’s research focusses on the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in lung pathology. Her team investigate changes in the composition and biomechanical properties of tissue and airway structures of the lungs that occur during disease and whether these changes impact disease development and progression. Using novel (3D) in vitro cell and ex vivo human lung tissue models and advanced microscopy imaging techniques is the team are unraveling the complex nature of the regulation of the ECM and exploring its potential as a future target for therapeutic intervention.
Award Description
This award honors Solbert Permutt, an intellectual giant who made groundbreaking contributions to the understanding of pulmonary physiology and respiratory medicine and served as an inspirational mentor for countless trainees and colleagues. The award is intended for an established investigator who has performed pioneering research in the area of respiratory structure and function and has guided and inspired others in the field. Innovative basic or translational scientists, clinical investigators and clinician-educators who have been outstanding mentors or teachers are eligible. Nomination of diverse candidates is encouraged.
The award consists of a plaque and an honorarium, which will be presented at the ATS International Conference. RSF gratefully acknowledges Medical Graphics Corporation (MGC Diagnostics) for their support.
Criteria
- Associate professor, professor or equivalent with distinguished achievement as a basic or translational scientist, clinical investigator or clinician-educator
- Pioneering work that has significantly advanced the understanding of respiratory physiology or medicine
- Record of having inspired trainees through mentorship or teaching
- Normally RSF Assembly membership, but suitable candidates from other ATS Assemblies will be considered
- Nominee’s current curriculum vitae including a list of nominee’s publications and a list of trainees mentored
- Nominator’s letter of recommendation
- Support letters, particularly from nominee’s mentees, which are optional but recommended
Nomination/support letters should describe nominee's
- Research contributions in the area of respiratory structure and function
- Influence as a mentor or teacher
- Involvement in ATS, including any involvement in RSF Assembly
- Service to the broader scientific or medical community