Highlights for early career professionals: ERS Congress 2025

What are you most looking forward to about this year's ERS Congress?

From a personal standpoint, the ERS Congress is my favorite scientific time of the year and sometimes the single opportunity to meet and reconnect with colleagues.

As ECM Representative of ERS Assembly 1, I am looking forward to young scientists present their work and succeed at the ERS Congress! In fact, it will be my very first time having a PhD student under my supervision presenting and I feel proud her work was accepted in the programme…

Some ECMs from Assembly 1 will also be given the opportunity to chair a poster or oral presentation session paired with more established colleagues. This way, we contribute to promote the development of the youngest generation of scientists in our field!

In your opinion, what will be the highlights for ECMs in Assembly 1 during the ERS Congress?

The ERS Congress naturally offers high-quality scientific sessions and provides the latest advances in the field of respiratory medicine. Of course, this is part of the highlights for ECMs including Assembly 1.

For ECMs, the ERS Congress is also a unique opportunity to meet with more advanced and established researchers in their respective areas of interest. I would therefore highly recommend to ECMs to get in touch with people they really want to meet prior to the Congress to make sure they get the chance to discuss at the venue. At the same time, the ERS Congress gives an opportunity to ECMs to showcase their research in the largest conference in the respiratory field. I remember being both proud and overwhelmed when I first attended to present myself.

The last highlight I would like to emphasize, fully dedicated to EMCs, is the Networking Excellence Training (NEXT) Programme. The session provides a comprehensive training about different important aspects such as presentation and moderating skills or manuscript writing and publishing. NEXT will welcome this year about 60 ERS ECMs that got an abstract to be presented at the Congress and I want to encourage people to apply for the upcoming editions!

With this in mind, please tell us your top three session or abstract picks from the congress programme and why?

My picks are highly influenced by my role as Assembly 1 ECM Representative and my specific interest as a clinical exercise physiologist.

For the reasons I exposed above, the NEXT Programme is definitely in my top 3 (Networking Excellence Training (NEXT) Programme – Saturday, September 27, 09:00 – 17:00 CEST).

I am also very much interested in the mini-symposium “Exercise training in severely impaired patients” (Tuesday, September 30, 08:30 – 10:00 CEST) that will discuss how to identify patients with chronic respiratory disease who may benefit from emerging exercise training modalities.

The same day (Tuesday, September 30, 09:30 – 10:15 CEST) is running the oral presentation session “The causes of respiratory symptoms: new insights from exercise physiology” that will offer advances in the field of exercise testing for the understanding and management of dyspnea in particular.

I am again pretty excited to attend the ERS Congress this year and hope ECMs will make the most of their experience in Amsterdam!

What are you most looking forward to about this year's ERS Congress?

This year, the theme of the congress “Respiratory health around the globe” perfectly reflects the importance of global collaboration and knowledge exchange in respiratory intensive care medicine. As Early Career Representative of Assembly 2, I am particularly looking forward to learning how different healthcare systems tackle challenges in acute respiratory care worldwide, and how we can adapt successful strategies to improve patient outcomes in our own settings. This global perspective is essential to shape future standards of care that are both equitable and evidence-based.

In your opinion, what will be the highlights for ECMs in Assembly 2 during the ERS Congress?

As an Early Career Member, one of the highlights of the ERS Congress is the opportunity to explore the latest developments in respiratory intensive care and to engage with leading experts in the field. I particularly look forward to the hands-on workshops and postgraduate courses, which I can highly recommend to fellow ECMs. These sessions offer practical, directly applicable skills, while the accompanying theoretical lectures provide essential knowledge to support everyday clinical decision-making. With its international focus, the congress also offers a unique chance to learn how respiratory health challenges are addressed across different healthcare systems around the globe.

With this in mind, please tell us your top three session or abstract picks from the congress programme and why?

My personal highlights at this year’s ERS Congress in the field of respiratory critical care include a well-balanced mix of practical insights, cutting-edge updates, and clinical relevance: · Practical information for daily work: “Lungs on fire: Respiratory critical care / Sleep and Breathing Disorders Clinical” – a highly engaging session offering hands-on advice for managing challenging cases in everyday practice. · Hottest news: “State of the Art Session – Respiratory Critical Care” – a must-attend to stay updated on the most recent advances and innovations in the field. · Glimpse into clinical reality: “Nasal high-flow: quo vadis?” – a thought-provoking session that provides insight into the current and future role of high-flow therapy in critical care settings.

What are you most looking forward to about this year's ERS Congress

As every year, I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with many friends and colleagues from across Europe and beyond! On the first day, September 27th, the highlight will be the NEXT Programme, a full-day main event designed to foster networking and the exchange of experiences among ERS Early Career Members. I’m also excited to attend all the sessions organized by my Assembly in particular I’m especially looking forward to the Assembly Members’ Meeting on September 30th, where we’ll have the chance to come together, share insights, and present the outcomes of the hard work behind our many initiatives.

In your opinion, what will be the highlights for ECMs in Assembly 4 during the ERS Congress?

One of the best things about the ERS Congress is the chance to enjoy a wide variety of sessions not only those organized by Assembly 4, but also in collaboration with other assemblies. This gives ECMs a more complete view of the challenges and developments in respiratory medicine. I really hope ECMs will stop by, chat, and ask how they can get involved we’re always happy to welcome new ideas and active members.

With this in mind, please tell us your top three session or abstract picks from the congress programme and why?

Really tough question!! There will be so many interesting sessions! This year, I’ll also be posting on social media about all the sessions proposed by Assembly 4 for the next day, especially on Instagram (@ers.assembly4) and LinkedIn (@ERS ECMs Group). Anyway, my top 3 session will be:
• State of art session Sleep and breathing disorders Central sleep apnoea: from pathophysiology over phenotypes to updated treatment recommendations. New recommendations for the treatment of central sleep apnoea - 28 Sept Sun, 15.30-17.00 CEST, 7A An issue mostly debated il the last few years and surely there will be some interesting news and update.
• Mini symposium Sex differences in sleep-disordered breathing: how do they influence diagnostics and treatment recommendations? 30 Sep Tue, 15:30 - 17:00 CEST, 5D It dives into the gender differences in sleep and breathing disorders that we still don’t know enough about. These differences really matter when it comes to symptoms and treatment, and the session will highlight what we need to learn next. A great chance to hear from experts and join the conversation
• The numerous poster sessions and oral presentations that offer researchers a valuable opportunity to present their work in depth, engage in interactive discussions, receive direct feedback, and explore potential avenues for collaboration.

What are you most looking forward to about this year's ERS Congress?

This year’s congress is special from me since it takes place in Amsterdam, the city where I am based as a respiratory researcher at the Amsterdam University Medical Center. So it is a privilege to welcome international colleagues in a city not only famous for its historical canals, charming narrow houses, bikes (watch out!), world-class art but also for its irresistible stroopwafels (don't forget to try one)! I am really looking forward to attend sessions about the latest developments in the respiratory field and interact with people from all over the world. The annual congress is always a source of inspiration and valuable new connections.

In your opinion, what will be the highlights for ECMs in Assembly 7 during the ERS Congress?

There is so much to explore and it can be overwhelming. So I encourage ECMs to plan ahead and pick sessions that spark their curiosity. For ECMs especially, the poster sessions are a great opportunity to interact and network. I also strongly recommend to attend the ECM session on September 29th (15.45-17.00) and the Science Slam on September 30rd (15.45-17.00). Both are fantastic chances to connect with peers and the ECM Board members.

With this in mind, please tell us your top three session or abstract picks from the congress programme and why?

Following last year’s success, Assembly 7 proudly hosts the second edition of the Paediatric Forum on Saturday (14.00-17.30). It was a huge success last year and I am really looking forward to this year's edition. It is a unique opportunity to get an overview on the latest developments in the pediatric respiratory field. This afternoon is packed with interesting talks and bring together health care providers and researchers from various backgrounds. It will include talks on congenital airway malformations, respiratory infections and primary prevention, such as the vaping pandemic (and what to do about it) and how to prevent obesity-related respiratory disease. I expect lively discussions and inspiring ideas that can shape future pediatric care!

Challenges in environmental childhood respiratory health around the globe (Tuesday, 8h30-10.00). With air pollution rising, this session tackles on of the most urgent topics of our time: how pollution and climate change impact children’s respiratory health. A great session to learn about global disparities and how to be an advocate for clean air.

The many facets of transition care (Tuesday, 10.15-11.45). Transitioning from pediatric to adult care can be a challenging time for young patients. This session delves into psychological, clinical and practical aspects of supporting adolescents with respiratory diseases. Highly recommended for all clinicians and allied professionals working with adolescents and young adults.

What are you most looking forward to about this year’s ERS Congress?

As the Early Career Member (ECM) Representative of ERS Assembly 8, I am eagerly looking forward to this year’s ERS Congress as it offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the leading experts and emerging leaders in thoracic surgery and lung transplantation. The Congress serves as a vibrant platform to share cutting-edge research, clinical advancements, and innovative surgical techniques that can directly impact patient outcomes.

For me personally, one of the most exciting aspects is the chance to network with international peers, fostering collaborations that can support my professional growth and contribute to the advancement of our field.

In your opinion, what will be the highlights for ECMs in Assembly 8 during the ERS Congress?

The Congress features a wide range of sessions, including postgraduate courses, symposia, and diverse oral and poster presentations from researchers around the world. These educational programmes provide comprehensive updates covering all aspects of lung transplantation—from patient selection and listing to donor management.

Attendees will also learn about new diagnostic tools and innovative therapies for acute cellular and antibody-mediated rejection, as well as advances in managing chronic lung allograft dysfunction. Additionally, there will be the latest developments and discussions on challenging cases in thoracic surgery, offering valuable insights for both clinical practice and research.

ECMs of Assembly 8 will have the opportunity to network with their peers by participating in the Networking Excellence Training (NEXT) programme, where they will develop skills to present their data effectively, either as a poster or an oral presentation. Additionally, the programme features a session called the ‘Science Slam,’ showcasing the best presentations from NEXT.

ECMs from all assemblies are also invited to join the Early Career Member session, which focuses on discussing key aspects of career development in respiratory medicine.

With this in mind, please tell us your top three session or abstract picks from the congress programme and why?

My top 3 sessions:

1. Lung Transplantation in 2025: What’s New on the Horizon (Symposium)
This session is essential because it highlights the latest advances and emerging technologies in lung transplantation. Staying updated on innovations can help me understand future directions in treatment options and improve patient outcomes. It’s a great way to gain insights into cutting-edge research and clinical practices that will shape the field in the coming years.

2. The Night Watch: Monitoring, Surveillance, and Outcome in Post-Transplant Patients
Post-transplant care is critical to ensuring long-term success, and this oral presentations’ session focuses on the ongoing monitoring and management of lung transplant recipients in different centres of the world. Understanding new surveillance strategies and how they impact patient outcomes will enhance my ability to support post-transplant patients more effectively and improve their quality of life.

3. Challenges in Thoracic Surgery – Poster session
Thoracic surgery remains a complex and rapidly evolving area. This session addresses the current challenges surgeons face, including perioperative management, innovative surgical techniques, and complication prevention. It’s an invaluable opportunity to deepen my knowledge of surgical hurdles and solutions, which is crucial for multidisciplinary collaboration in respiratory care

What are you most looking forward to about this year’s ERS Congress?

As an Early Career Member of Assembly 9 (Allied Respiratory Professionals), what I’m most looking forward to at this year’s Congress is the opportunity to connect and collaborate with a diverse, multidisciplinary network of healthcare professionals who share a passion for improving respiratory care. Especially under the theme “Respiratory health around the globe”, I am looking forward to strengthening international collaborations, sharing knowledge across borders and contributing to patient-centred care around the globe. I am also excited to see the presence of allied healthcare professions throughout the congress programme, a reflection of the importance of multidisciplinary care and the role of allied healthcare professionals.

In your opinion, what will be the highlights for ECMs in Assembly 9 during the ERS Congress?

Each year, the ERS Congress offers outstanding opportunities for Early Career Members (ECMs), and 2025 will be no exception. As early career myself, I highly recommend attending the Assembly 9 meeting and our networking event on Tuesday. These are excellent opportunities to connect with other early career professionals, share ideas and build lasting collaborations.

Another key highlight is the Early Career Symposium, which features the Mina Gaga Lecture, delivered by the ECM Awardee. This is always an inspiring and thought-provoking session. The symposium also includes talks on advocacy, gender equity, and practical guidance on how to get more involved in ERS activities.

Beyond ECM-specific sessions, the programme includes a wide range of session that will be valuable to early career members of our assembly. I have picked my top sessions below, but there are many more! Also, as indicated before, the importance of multidisciplinary care and the involvement of allied healthcare professions is included in several sessions during the ERS Congress.

With this in mind, please tell us your top three session or abstract picks from the congress programme and why?

Mini symposium - Exercise training in severely impaired patients
This session focuses on exercise interventions for patients with chronic respiratory disease who are severely impaired. Speakers will present current and emerging concepts in aerobic training for this population, offering practical insights for clinicians and researchers in rehabilitation and physiotherapy.

Symposium - Holistic yet personalised self-management of chronic respiratory diseases worldwide
Self-management is becoming a cornerstone of chronic disease care. This session will discuss personalised, holistic approaches and challenges around the globe.

Oral presentations – I’m especially looking forward to the oral presentation sessions featuring the best abstracts from Assembly 9. These showcase exciting and innovative research across our groups. Some of my top picks include:
• Combining old and new concepts in pulmonary function testing to better understand lung physiology across the ages
• Best abstracts in respiratory physiotherapy
• Nursing role in global respiratory health
• Psychological and behavioural dimensions of respiratory innovation

What are you most looking forward to about this year’s ERS Congress?

I am looking forward to the opportunity to connect with colleagues from around the world and to engage in discussions that will shape the future of our field. The ERS Congress offers a valuable chance to learn about the most recent research in respiratory infections and to discover innovative clinical and research approaches. I am also particularly excited about the sessions dedicated to career development, as they provide useful guidance and support for early career members.

In your opinion, what will be the highlights for ECMs in Assembly 10 during the ERS Congress?

The ERS Congress will offer numerous opportunities for ECMs, ranging from state-of-the-art sessions to "Lungs on Fire" sessions, where they will be able to actively engage in real-life clinical case discussions. Additionally, this year’s Congress will once again feature the NEXT programme—an initiative designed to support and develop promising early-career clinicians. Selected participants from NEXT will have the opportunity to present their work during the Science Slam. This represents an excellent chance for ECMs to connect with peers and to improve their presentation skills in a professional setting.

With this in mind, please tell us your top three session or abstract picks from the congress programme and why?

1. Hot topic: Respiratory infections - prevention is better than cure
It will focus on the growing global health challenge of antimicrobial resistance and highlight the role of vaccination in preventing respiratory infections—both highly relevant and timely topics today.

2. Guideline session: Management of Bronchiectasis in adults
It will cover the latest recommendations for managing bronchiectasis in adults, with a particular focus on the most recent clinical guidelines.

3. Hot topic: Global inequities in respiratory infections
It will explore the main factors driving global inequalities in respiratory infections, emphasizing the significant burden of preventable deaths among vulnerable populations. Addressing these disparities is crucial for improving global health outcomes and ensuring more equitable access to prevention and care.

What are you most looking forward to about this year's ERS Congress?

This year’s ERS Congress offers a comprehensive programme covering various topics in Thoracic Oncology, featuring top international speakers. Personally, I’m especially excited that the conference will be held in Amsterdam — the city where I work. For fellow early career members, we’ve organised a full day of engaging lectures as part of the NEXT programme on September 27, focusing on enhancing research and presentation skills to help participants prepare for the conference.

In your opinion, what will be the highlights for ECMs in Assembly 11 during the ERS Congress?

Beyond the NEXT programme, the conference will spotlight several hot topics such as the 9th TNM (Tumour, Node, Metastasis) edition for thoracic oncology staging, the diagnosis of mesothelioma and malignant pleural effusion, and clinical cases featured in the “Lungs on Fire” session. Additionally, early career members will have the opportunity to present their research in numerous poster sessions, where questions can be asked in an accessible setting, fostering future collaborations.

With this in mind, please tell us your top three session or abstract picks from the Congress programme and why?

Some key highlights for me include the two sessions on EU-funded ERS lung cancer projects: the SOLACE project on lung cancer screening, and the OPTIMA IMI project, which focuses on advancing lung cancer care through real-world evidence, AI, and computerised clinical guidelines. I’m also eagerly anticipating the live endoscopy session 1 on September 30, “Diagnosing, staging and treatment of early-stage lung cancer”, which will feature a live broadcast from the hybrid OR at Amsterdam UMC. Another session I’m looking forward to is the symposium on “Lung cancer and severe respiratory comorbidities: navigating complex clinical challenges” on September 29, as it addresses a challenge many of us encounter in clinical practice.

What are you most looking forward to about this year's ERS Congress?

I am particularly looking forward to the opportunity of meeting colleagues and collaborators in person again, and there’s no better setting than the beautiful city of Amsterdam. The Congress theme, “Respiratory health around the globe,” perfectly reflects the international spirit of ERS and Assembly 12. It will be inspiring to share ideas and learn from global perspectives on respiratory diseases, all while fostering connections that transcend borders.

In your opinion, what will be the highlights for ECMs in Assembly 12 during the ERS Congress?

For Early Career Members, the Assembly 12 poster sessions are truly not to be missed. They are a fantastic opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions with peers and senior experts alike, in a more informal and approachable setting. Additionally, we are planning a social event during the Congress — details will be shared soon via email — which will provide an excellent platform for networking and strengthening our ECM community within Assembly 12.

With this in mind, please tell us your top three session or abstract picks from the congress programme and why?

It is challenging to select only three sessions given the high-quality programme, but here are my top picks:

Sunday – Hot Topics: Current Controversies in Interstitial Lung Diseases: This session promises lively discussions on the latest debates in ILD, providing valuable insights into evolving clinical practice.

Monday – Lungs on Fire: Interstitial Lung Diseases: A dynamic and engaging session designed to challenge clinical reasoning through complex and illustrative ILD cases.

Tuesday – Symposium: Interstitial Lung Diseases Around the World: This symposium will offer a global perspective on ILD, highlighting regional differences, challenges, and collaborative efforts in advancing care worldwide.

What are you most looking forward to about this year's ERS Congress?

I am most looking forward to the opportunity to engage with colleagues from across the world, to share knowledge, and to discover the most recent advances in the field of pulmonary vascular diseases. The ERS Congress is always a unique occasion to strengthen collaborations and to translate new scientific findings into clinical practice.

In your opinion, what will be the highlights for ECMs in Assembly 13 during the ERS Congress?

For Early Career Members, the highlights will include exposure to cutting-edge science, opportunities to interact with leading experts, and the chance to gain insights into both clinical and translational aspects of pulmonary vascular diseases. The selected sessions will provide not only valuable educational content but also a global perspective that can inspire ECMs in their own research and clinical careers.

With this in mind, please tell us your top three session or abstract picks from the Congress programme and why?

Session 80 – State of the art session: Pulmonary vascular diseases – Pulmonary hypertension associated with lung diseases: the most burning questions (Sunday 28, 8:30-10:00)
This session will provide key updates on the diagnostic approach, therapeutic options, and novel molecular insights into PH associated with lung diseases which is a topic of high clinical relevance and daily challenge in practice.

Session 365 – Symposium: A global perspective on pulmonary hypertension (Monday 29, 15:30-17:00)
By bringing a worldwide view on epidemiology, diagnostic strategies, and management of PH, this session highlights the importance of international collaboration and sheds light on how social inequality and climate change influence our field.

Session 522 – Respiratory medicine meets other disciplines: Right ventricular phenotypes in heart and lung disease (Tuesday 30, 13:45-15:15)
This multidisciplinary session will address the complex physiology of the right ventricle in diverse contexts, from chronic lung disease to systemic conditions, and will provide insights that are particularly valuable for ECMs interested in cardiopulmonary interactions.

What are you most looking forward to about this year’s ERS Congress?

Each year I am amazed at high quality of all the abstracts submitted. I am very much looking forward to presentations on new original research. I think there are some really strong up and coming results presented in both poster sessions and oral presentations this year.

In your opinion, what will be the highlights for ECMs in Assembly 14 during the ERS Congress?

Last year’s congress theme was “humans and machines – getting the balance right”, which really gave us an opportunity to explore all the latest technological advances in bronchoscopy imaging and ultrasound. The theme of this Congress is “respiratory health around the globe”, which facilitates a reflection on how we use our resources and equipment. The real-life experiences and challenges are just as interesting as the newest or future equipment.

With this in mind, please tell us your top three session or abstract picks from the congress programme and why?

'Pleural disease: the global view'
This session combines difficult clinical challenges of pleural disease with a practical approach. The session includes thoracic ultrasound

'A new era of endobronchial ultrasound and imaging in staging and treatment of lung cancer from a global perspective'
This session includes imaging, bronchoscopy including reflections on the updated 9th edition of the TNM classifications.

'Endobronchial ultrasound: mediastinal lymph nodes and tumours'
This poster session really caught my eye. The focus is the use of well known equipment in new and exciting ways.