Her research addresses an important and still insufficiently understood question: Which factors support the recovery of impaired lung function during childhood and adolescence?

Using longitudinal data from the population-based Austrian LEAD Study, she investigated lung function trajectories in more than 2,200 children and adolescents over an average follow-up period of 4.4 years.

The findings provide important new insights into lung development during these critical years of growth. Lung function recovery was strongly associated with preserved lung volumes and increases in total lung capacity. In contrast, persistent asthma and, among children, a history of prematurity were associated with lower odds of lung function catch-up. The results also suggest that smoking exposure may negatively influence lung function recovery during adolescence.

These findings contribute to a better understanding of the factors that shape respiratory health early in life and underline a key message of lung health research: protecting and supporting lung health during childhood and adolescence may have lasting implications for respiratory health throughout the life course.

The ERS Young Scientist Sponsorship recognises promising early-career researchers and supports the next generation of scientific leaders in respiratory medicine.

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!