Meet the 2026 Awardee: Robert L. Keith, MD
Robert Keith, MD is a staff pulmonologist and the Associate Chief of Staff for Research at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora CO. He also is a Professor of Medicine & Cancer Biology in the University of Colorado Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine. He completed his undergraduate studies at Stanford, attended medical school at the University of Colorado, completed internal medicine training at the University of Washington, and pulmonary/critical care fellowship at Colorado. He has a longstanding interest in the biology of airway pre-malignancy, the early detection of lung cancer, and chemoprevention. His lung cancer interests stem from clinical work with veterans, and many of his patients have smoking induced pre-malignant lung lesions that may or may not progress to lung cancer. His research team aims to better understand the characteristics of pre-cancerous airway lesions to find safe, easy to administer agents that intercept the development of invasive lung cancer. The Colorado group has focused on understanding the role of prostaglandins and inflammation in pre-malignant lesion progression. He has translated basic science and laboratory findings to clinical chemoprevention trials (PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor for reversing squamous dysplasia in high-risk patients; inhaled iloprost for preventing lung cancer in former smokers) and collaborated on grants in translational science funded by the VA, NIH and industry. He served as a Co-I for the NIH Lung Precancer Atlas, and also directs the Rocky Mountain Lung Precision Oncology Program, which provides screening, lung cancer care, and access to research studies for veterans across the Rocky Mountain Network. He enjoys mentoring trainees and remains clinically active in both the outpatient and inpatient settings.
Description
The award will be given to an individual who has made outstanding scientific contributions in clinical, translational, or laboratory-based research relevant to the field of thoracic oncology and/or exemplary service to the Assembly through education of the lung cancer community and program development. This award is intended for an established, internationally recognized individual with a record of sustained exemplary achievement in the areas of Assembly interest.
Nominees must be a TOA primary member. We encourage nominations of diverse nominees in all dimensions, including gender, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, geographic residence, country, area of focus and primary occupation. The nomination package must include a 1-page letter from a member of the Assembly describing the candidate’s scientific contributions, teaching/mentorship/educational contributions, and leadership in TOA and ATS activities and why the award is merited. The candidate’s curriculum vitae must also be included with the nomination packet.
Awardees will be recognized with a framed certificate at the annual TO Membership Meeting during the ATS International Conference.
Criteria
- Must be a TOA primary member
- Must not have received a similar Lifetime Achievement award from TOA or another ATS Assembly
Scoring
Applicants are scored on the following criteria using a 1-5 rating system (5 = best) across the following categories:
- Scientific Contributions/ Products
- Leadership in Assembly and ATS Activities (administrative, committees, workshop, document development, promoting diversity)
- Teaching/ Mentoring/ Educational Contributions