Q. As Head of Assembly 10, what are you most looking forward to about this year’s Congress?
The ERS Congress 2025 brings an exciting and diverse programme, and I am particularly looking forward to the strong emphasis on prevention, global equity, and public health across the sessions related to respiratory infections. It is also a unique moment for our community to come together, share ideas, and reflect on how we can translate research into better patient outcomes across settings, from hospital to community care.
Q. What in your opinion will be the hot topics for respiratory infections?
Key hot topics include:
Q. Tell us your top three picks from the congress programme.
Finally, a reminder to all Assembly 10 members: our Assembly 10 Members’ Meeting: Respiratory Infections will take place on 30 September at 17:15. We hope to see many of you there to share updates and continue strengthening our network.
Q. As Secretary of Assembly 10, what are you most looking forward to about this year’s Congress?
To meet all old friends that are related to our assembly and to meet new assembly members. To discuss with them the development in respiratory infections, how we can involve the early career members from our assembly, and how the collaborations within our assembly can be strengthened.
Q. What in your opinion will be the hot topics for respiratory infections?
The sessions on global inequities, anti-microbial resistance, bronchiectasis, non-tuberculosis mycobacteria and tuberculosis. But clearly many more…
Q. Tell us your top three picks from the congress programme.
Symposium: Treatment decisions in non-tuberculous mycobacteria lung disease: when to start, when to (de)escalate and when to stop? The (global) problem of NTM lung disease is really important and getting more and more attention. Though due to limited evidence we still face some challenges in clinical practice and this session will bring us some helpful tools for it.
The hot topic session on the Global inequities in respiratory infections. This reflects the congress theme of this year well. Global inequity is a well-known problem, but it becomes more and more important to underline that. The COVID pandemic made us aware that a solution for respiratory infections should be a global one, due to the traveling, migration etc.
Lastly, the State of the art session on the importance of infection prevention and control to prevent transmission of respiratory infections. This session will touch upon the importance of timely interventions to significantly reduce transmission, like isolation of symptomatic patients, proper use of personal protective equipment and environmental controls. Clearly, this session relates to the hot topic session mentioned above as well.
Q. As Early Career Representative of ERS Assembly 10, 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.
Q. 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.
Q. With this in mind, please tell us your top three session or abstract picks from the congress programme and why?
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.
It will cover the latest recommendations for managing bronchiectasis in adults, with a particular focus on the most recent clinical guidelines.
It will explore the main factors driving global inequalities in respiratory infections, emphasising 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.