ATS Breathe Easy

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and often fatal lung disease, which has unknown causes and no cure. But researchers are working tirelessly to uncover more about this deadly disease. On this episode of the ATS Breathe Easy podcast, host Patti Tripathi interviews pulmonologist and transplant specialist Steven Nathan, MD, about advances in the treatment IPF, the importance of ear...

Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is a rare genetic disorder that causes albinism, bleeding problems, and a high risk of developing pulmonary fibrosis. However, patients with HPS provide an important population for researchers looking for biomarkers that predict the onset and progression of pulmonary fibrosis. On this ATS Breathe Easy podcast episode, expert Resat Cinar, PhD, MBA, National Institute...

On this episode of the ATS Breathe Easy podcast, delve into journalist Terry Greene Sterling’s journey of being diagnosed with nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease. Greene Sterling's piece on living with NTM lung disease, funded by the Pulitzer Center, recently aired on KJZZ, the NPR affiliate in Phoenix. Host Patti Tripathi also interviews NTM specialist and Greene Sterling’s doctor, C...

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare lung disease that has become more treatable thanks to dedicated efforts from researchers and patient advocacy groups. ATS Past President Gregory Downey, MD, ATSF, National Jewish Health, discusses advances in understanding and treating LAM with host Ugo Ezema, MD. What role do patient networks play and what does the future hold for research? 

Hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia (HABP) and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (VABP) are serious conditions that often affect critically ill patients in ICUs. These infections carry a high risk of mortality and are frequently caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria like MRSA. On this episode of the ATS Breathe Easy podcast, Scott Micek, PharmD, University of Health Sciences and Pharmac...

When news of the Andes strain of the hantavirus broke out, the world seemed to hold its breath. But what do we know about the hantavirus? Expert Michelle Harkins, MD, University of New Mexico, discusses what the hantavirus is and how it is transmitted. She and host Ugo Ezema, MD, Tulane University, delve deeper at the ATS International Conference into how this hantavirus outbreak differs from the...

Host Ugo Ezema, MD, Tulane University, speaks with University of Cincinnati's Laurah Turner, PhD, one of ATS 2026's keynote speakers who addressed the hot topic of AI in medical education. Check out ATS NOW, tailored education anytime, anywhere. All #ATS2026 attendees get free access to this innovative, on-demand platform through the end of the year. Learn more: https://atsnow.thoracic.org/ 

Pulse oximetry is a key technology, providing a quick, non-invasive way to estimate blood oxygen levels. But one issue with this tool is that it can overestimate oxygen levels in patients with darker skin pigmentation, which means they can appear less sick than they are, leading to delays in receiving treatments. Ashraf Fawzy, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and host Eddie Qian, MD, Vanderbilt Un...

ATS 2026 is quickly approaching, and with so many great events, attendees are sure to enjoy every minute of the conference. On this second keynote preview, host Ugo Ezema, MD, Tulane University, is speaking with University of Cincinnati's Laurah Turner, PhD, Tuesday’s keynote speaker who will be addressing the hot topic of AI in medical education. There’s still time to register for ATS 2026! https...

ATS 2026 is quickly approaching! This iteration of the international conference will feature amazing panels, speakers, and forums. On this episode of the ATS Breathe Easy, host Ugo Ezema, MD, Tulane University, gives us a preview by highlighting the keynotes on Sunday and Monday. Katherine Hisert, MD, PhD, National Jewish Health, discusses the Sunday keynote: "Vaccines - Past, Present and Future"...

 Vaccines are essential to public health, yet the current Department of Health and Human Service leadership has led changes in vaccine recommendations that are not grounded in scientific evidence. Experts Tina Hartert, MD, MPH, Vanderbilt University, and Ryan Maves, MD, Wake Forest University, discuss with host Patti Tripathi the multi-professional society effort to protect and promote a science-b...

Artificial intelligence is at the center of dozens of new tools and technological advances, but how should clinicians and researchers integrate them into their practice and research? The ATS AI Taskforce was formed to help answer this question, explore the latest innovations in the space, and how it fits into the needs of ATS members. Shirin Shafazand, MD, MS, FAASM, ATSF, University of Miami, and...

 April is Sarcoidosis Awareness Month! Host Patti Tripathi speaks with Mary McGowan, president and CEO of the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, about the importance of continuing research on sarcoidosis, advocacy and policy efforts in the field, and fighting for paid leave for those participating in clinical trials. Learn more about the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research at https://www.stopsar...

  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) changed the dollar value of a statistical life in January 2026, essentially dropping it to zero. What does that mean for the average American? As Anthony Gerber, MD, PhD, University of Kentucky, explains to Air Health Our Health host Erika Moseson, MD, MA, this means the agency will no longer account for the healthcare costs of air pollution and los...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) changed the dollar value of a statistical life in January 2026, essentially dropping it to zero. What does that mean for the average American? As Anthony Gerber, MD, PhD, University of Kentucky, explains to Air Health Our Health host Erika Moseson, MD, MA, this means the agency will no longer account for the healthcare costs of air pollution and lost...

 How can peers help those in their field entering mid-career? Through the sharing of their successes and struggles. This was the solution Joshua Lee Denson, MD, MS, Tulane University, and colleagues came up with when asked for event ideas for the ATS International Conference. The ATS Storytelling Series has been a huge success, giving mid-career professionals a space to highlight wins, discuss iss...

 Immigrants make up a significant portion of the medical and scientific community at all levels, from students all the way to senior faculty. But the Trump administration’s new policies will make it hard for institutions to bring in new international talent and possibly retain the key contributors.  Host Patti Tripathi talks with medical historian Eram Alam, PhD, Harvard University, and ATS Past-P...

This is the second episode of our discussions on the experiences and challenges of transitioning into being a mid-career professional.  For many, mid-career brings a wave of financial and personal pressure, leaving them working out how to handle new milestones and systems while managing their careers. Last Zebra Podcast creator Ugo Ezema, MD, of Tulane University hosts this episode. He speaks with...

Are you looking for ways to grow your career and keep expanding your education as you transition out of your early-career days? Last Zebra Podcast creator Ugo Ezema, MD, of Tulane University, joins as this week’s host. He speaks with fellow Tulane University colleague Joshua Lee Denson, MD, MS, and Kristina Montemayor, MD, MHS, Johns Hopkins University, about opportunities for mid-career growth, i...

Biologics have changed how patients with asthma are able to handle their symptoms and prevent them from getting worse. Host Amy Attaway, MD, Cleveland Clinic, talks with Monica Kraft, MD, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and De De Gardner, DrPh, Allergy and Asthma Network and member of PAR about depemokimab, the newest biologic for those with severe asthma. Learn how this novel treatment i...

ATS 2026 is right around the corner! Jennifer L. Taylor, MD, MSCS, ATSF –  ATS International Conference Committee chair, tenured Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics and medical director of Clinical Research Services at National Jewish Health – talks about the amazing keynote speakers for this year’s conference, how to get the most out of the conference’s many offerings, and a little look at how m...

Scientific research grants were abruptly terminated for hundreds of researchers including those in the ATS community in 2025. Many of these resulted in research that had already been done and was in final stages being discarded. Important studies done with community collaboration are at risk. Neeta Thakur, MD, of the University of California San Francisco, was one such researcher. Her EPA grant to...

 Interstitial Lung Abnormality (ILA) and Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) are often detected using CT scans and other imaging. But the definition of ILAs and how abnormalities are found throughout a patient's clinical journey continues to grow and improve. Host Eddie Qian, MD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, discusses the importance of spotting ILAs and diagnosing ILDs earlier for better pati...

 We all know that sleep is important, but how much can eight hours really do for us? Turns out, a good night’s rest does more than restore our energy; restful sleep helps regulate weight, blood sugar, and even blood pressure. Ding Zou, MD, PhD, and Mio Kobayashi Frisk, MD, of the University of Gothenburg, studied how conditions like sleep apnea and insomnia affect hypertension, with those getting...

Apply to be featured at the 2026 Respiratory Innovation Summit. The deadline to apply is Feb. 13. The Respiratory Innovation Summit (RIS) is an event that unites the innovators, investors, clinicians and advocacy groups who are leading the charge to create powerful new treatments for diseases of the lungs and airways. This meeting historically attracts 400+ global leaders representing all facets o...