ATS 2009 * San Diego Photo Album

The ATS International Conference is the most prestigious scientific meeting devoted to the presentation and discussion of new research findings and the latest clinical developments in respiratory, critical care and sleep medicine.

During the Conference, more than 13,500 attendees heard over 5,300 original research presentations related to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, allergies, sleep-related disorders, cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis and many more.

The ATS has created this online photo album to show ATS members and other attendees at work during the Conference and to show the meeting's vast size and scope.

Mario Castro, professor of medicine and pediatrics at Washington University in St. Louis, talked about the effectiveness of bronchial thermoplasty as a treatment for severe asthma at Tuesday’s “Late-Breaking Clinical Trials” session.	Leonard D. Hudson, right, with then-ATS president Jo Rae Wright, after receiving the 2009 Edward Livingston Trudeau Medal. The medal is awarded to an individual with lifelong major contributions to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of lung disease through leadership in research, education or clinical care.
A number of sessions at ATS 2009 were filled to capacity.	There was standing-room only at Tuesday’s “Late-Breaking Clinical Trials” session, which was co-chaired by Monica Kraft and Marc Moss.
ATS President J. Randall Curtis spoke about his vision for the Society’s future at the ATS Membership Meeting, following the President’s Lecture.	ATS Immediate-Past President Jo Rae Wright, left, passes the gavel to incoming President J. Randall Curtis, right.
The 2009-2010 slate of ATS officers, from left to right: Vice President Nicholas S. Hill; Immediate-Past President Jo Rae Wright, President J. Randall Curtis, President-Elect Dean E. Schraufnagel and Secretary-Treasurer Monica Kraft.	Editor-in-chief of The New England Journal of Medicine Jeffrey Drazen delivered the 2009 President’s Lecture on Tuesday.
During his address, Dr. Drazen posed the question: “In a Sea of Information, What Can We Trust?”	At “Industry and Conflict-of-Interest in Our Professional Societies,” speakers addressed the evolving relationships between medical organizations, academic institutions and the pharmaceutical and device industries.
At Tuesday’s late-breaking session on influenza A (H1N1), experts discussed the genetics and epidemiology of the virus, implications for transmission, challenges of clinical management and the role of the government in responding to a pandemic.	At Monday’s Women’s Forum, keynote speaker Cynthia S. Rand, opened her remarks by reading an entry from her journal dated Nov. 4, 1989, in which she expressed her insecurity about climbing the career ladder.
Fifteen-year-old Otana Jakpor, left, a high-school junior, was the youngest researcher presenting at the conference. She presented two abstracts: one abstract describing an experiment to see whether drug-store bought artificial nails affect pulse oximetry’s ability to measure accurately oxygen saturation in the blood through one’s fingers, and the second on the health effects of air and food purifiers that produce ozone.	During the symposium, Anthony Scarpa, director of the NIH Center for Scientific Research, told attendees that the agency is in a strong position to handle the influx of grant applications generated by the stimulus package.
At Monday afternoon’s ATS President’s Symposium, NHLBI Director Elizabeth G. Nabel talked about how the federal economic stimulus package is changing the financial state of scientific research.	Attendees at a poster session in the San Diego Convention Center’s Sails Pavilion.
Nearly 150 fellows, residents and individuals transitioning from training to professional careers mingled with ATS leaders on Sunday evening at the annual “Fellow and Junior Professional Exchange.”	Patricia A. Kritek, chair of the ATS Members In Transition and Training (MITT) Committee, encouraged attendees to use the ATS as a resource during the Sunday evening event.
Louis S. Libby, a member of the Society’s Clinicians Advisory Committee, also addressed fellows and trainees during the exchange.	Accomplished lung remodeling scientist Robert M. Senior delivered the J. Burns Amberson Lecture during ATS 2009.
The 2009 Minority Trainee Travel Awardees, who were recognized at the 2009 Diversity Forum.	Wonder P. Drake, (left), with Serpil Erzurum (right), before delivering the keynote address at the 2009 Diversity Forum.
Former ATS president David H. Ingbar, left, checks out a research poster in the San Diego Convention Center.	Mayanga Kapita, left, with former ATS president William J. Martin, II, stopped to talk after registering for the meeting.
The escalators in the convention center were crowded with attendees on their way to courses on Saturday afternoon.	Attendees on the way to sessions in the San Diego Convention Center.
Lydia Bennedich Kahn, (left), from Sweden, took first place among the women participants in the ATS 5K Lung Run and Walk, with a finish time of just over 20 minutes. Ynuk Bosse, from Vancouver, completed the 3.1-mile course first among the men with a finish time of 15 minutes.	Attendees ran and walked along San Diego’s Embarcadero Sunday morning for the Society’s annual 2009 5K Lung Run and Walk.
Donna Appell, R.N., chair of ATS PAR, and her daughter, Ashley, accepted the ATS Research Program’s first-ever “Breathing for Life” Award on behalf of ATS PAR’s 15 member organizations. The award honors ATS PAR for its outstanding philanthropy in promoting research.	ATS Secretary-Treasurer Nicholas Hill, left, talking with President-Elect Randy Curtis, right, at the Welcome Reception in the Gaslamp District.
The 2009 Welcome Reception was held on Saturday afternoon, in San Diego’s Gaslamp District.	During the ATS PAR forum, Sam Giordano, executive director of the American Association of Respiratory Care, advised patients to assert their viewpoints when talking with healthcare providers.
Speakers at the Public Advisory Roundtable’s “Breathing Better with the ATS,” which focused on how patients with lung diseases, critical illnesses and sleep-disorders can maintain quality of life.	Attendees at Saturday’s postgraduate course, “Interventional Pulmonology with Practical Demonstration: Something for Every Pulmonologist.”
Ozge Yilmaz, an attendee from Turkey, explains her research to colleagues.	A. Sonia Buist, MD, former ATS president and MECOR founder, addressed attendees at the poster colloquium and discussion.
On Saturday, the invitational International Scholars Poster Colloquium and Discussion drew more than 100 participants.	A panel of international experts discussed the issues, challenges and potential strategies for implementing an integrated care approach into the clinical management of patients with chronic lung diseases at a workshop on Saturday.
Attendees pick up bags bearing the 2009 conference logo after registering for the meeting.	Attendees registering for ATS 2009 at the San Diego Convention Center.