Global respiratory experts gather in Perth as TSANZSRS 2026 conference begins

Opening plenary sets the direction for TSANZSRS 2026 

The conference began with the TSANZ Opening Plenary, where national and international leaders outlined emerging scientific approaches reshaping how lung disease is detected and understood.  

The session featured remarks from the Hon Meredith Hammat MLA, Western Australia’s Minister for Health and Mental Health, who acknowledged the importance of respiratory research and innovation in improving health outcomes. 

The plenary marked the launch of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand Strategic Plan 2026-2031, outlining the Society’s priorities for strengthening respiratory research, supporting the respiratory workforce, and advancing evidence-based advocacy for lung disease prevention and care across Australia and New Zealand. 

TSANZ President Professor Natasha Smallwood described the meeting as an important point of connection for the respiratory community across the region and positioned the new strategic plan within the wider challenges facing lung health in Australia and New Zealand. 

“Respiratory conditions remain a major cause of hospitalisation and long-term illness across Australia and New Zealand,” highlighted Professor Natasha Smallwood. “Scientific meetings like TSANZSRS create space for clinicians, researchers and educators to come together in a collegiate way to advance respiratory medicine learning and practice”. 

The scientific focus of the plenary was shaped by presentations from Professor James Chalmers and Associate Professor Lida Hariri, an invited speaker from Massachusetts General Hospital, who presented on bronchoscopic high-resolution optical imaging and its potential to support earlier detection, diagnosis, and monitoring.  

“For the first time, we can observe disease processes inside the lung in extraordinary detail and in real time, thanks to endobronchial optical coherence tomography imaging. This opens new opportunities to understand how respiratory diseases start and how we might intervene earlier”, said Associate Professor Lida Hariri. 

Breathing the invisible: understanding breathlessness 

One of the featured discussions on the first day explored breathlessness, a symptom affecting millions of people with chronic lung and heart disease, but one that is often poorly recognised or understood. 

Researchers discussed how breathlessness can arise from complex interactions between respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological systems, and why many patients experience severe symptoms even when routine clinical tests appear normal. 

“Breathlessness is one of the most distressing symptoms patients experience, yet it is frequently under-recognised. Understanding its underlying mechanisms is essential if we want to develop treatments that genuinely improve quality of life”, highlighted Dr Anna Hudson. 

Collaboration shaping the future of respiratory care 

The opening day follows a pre-conference workshop program on Friday, 27 March, which addressed major clinical priorities, including bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease, tuberculosis, occupational lung disease, lung transplantation, pulmonary embolism and nicotine cessation. 

That focus on workforce development continued on Saturday through the Early-Mid Career Panel supported by GSK, which explored the transition to independence in research and clinical leadership, followed by an interactive networking session. The program positioned early- and mid-career development as part of the broader future of respiratory medicine, rather than a separate conversation. 

“Career development in respiratory practice does not happen in isolation. It occurs through mentoring, research opportunities, clinical networks and a professional community that supports people to grow into independent practice and leaders in lung health”, said Professor Vanessa McDonald. 

Five days of respiratory health learning and clinical practice 

The meeting continues over the coming days with presentations and discussions on asthma, COPD, functional genomics, early-life lung health, primary care, respiratory physiology and new diagnostic technologies. Together, the opening day and the pre-conference workshops have set out a clear picture of the conference’s priorities: earlier detection, stronger evidence, practical clinical translation and a workforce equipped to meet the changing burden of respiratory disease.