The 2024 Pittsburgh International Lung Conference (PILC) will once again be hosted by the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine (PACCSM) at the University of Pittsburgh. 

This year’s topic “From Smog to Social Equity:  How the Exposome Shapes Our Respiratory Health,” will focus on new insights on how the exposome impacts lung disease. The exposome encompasses the external and internal environmental factors encountered throughout life and can have a major impact on health and disease.  Experts will present cutting edge work on topics such as air pollution and its impact on respiratory health, the role of the microbiome in asthma and COPD, and the intersection of climate change and lung diseases.  The exposome impacts almost all lung disease and the conference will include sessions relevant to Chronic Lung Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Asthma, Interstitial Lung Disease, Acute Lung Injury, Lung Infections, Lung Cancer, and others. 

Attendees will gain insights into translating environmental research into clinical practice, addressing social determinants of health in lung disease outcomes, and cultivating the next generation of physician-scientists. Objectives of the conference include understanding the impact of indoor and outdoor air pollution on the lungs, exploring the effects of climate change on lung health, developing an understanding of how smoking, e-cigarettes and other exposures alter lung biology, investigating the interaction of the exposome with lung microbes, and exploring ways to translate lung science into clinical practice and the role of science in addressing environmental health challenges. 

With a focus on presenting cutting-edge topics in clinical, translational, and basic research, the Pittsburgh International Lung Conference brings together leaders from institutions across the country and internationally to participate in thematic discussion and foster collaboration. Speakers from around the nation and international speakers will showcase senior leaders as well as rising stars who will shape pulmonary medicine in the years to come. 

In addition, we are pleased to welcome pulmonary leaders from the University of Pittsburgh, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins for a special session on the transition of the next generation of physician scientists. The conference also includes opportunities for early career investigators to present their work and receive feedback.  The 2024 Pittsburgh International Lung Conference will not only serve as a forum for advanced basic, translational, and clinical research in Pulmonary Medicine, but will also focus the conversation on how we as a community help train tomorrow’s leaders in respiratory health. 

Each main presentation session will end with a panel discussion with an opportunity for questions for further interaction among participants. The program includes open time during meals and two poster sessions to provide an exceptional environment for networking and in-depth conversations with peers and leaders in attendance. 

We look forward to your participation in the conference.

Course Directors:
Sally Wenzel, MD
Jessica Bon, MD, MS
Divay Chandra, MD, MSc