Meet the 2023 Winners: Soula Danopoulos, PhD, MS and Ezter Katalin Vladar, PhD
Dr. Danopoulos is currently an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the David Geffen School of Medicine-UCLA and an Investigator at the Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor- UCLA. She received her PhD in Developmental and Cellular Biology from the University of Southern California (USC), completing doctoral and postdoctoral studies in the Al Alam lab at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Her early research focused on studying lung branching morphogenesis, demonstrating that lung development in human differs significantly from what has been reported in mouse. Through these studies she established a thorough understanding of the molecular and cellular aspects associated with normal human lung branching morphogenesis, and in congenital lung diseases where branching defects are observed. In 2020, Dr. Danopoulos established her independent research program focusing on understanding congenital lung anomalies observed in Down Syndrome. Respiratory diseases are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality observed in this population. Her seminal work identified that Down Syndrome lung manifestations initiate in utero. Dr. Danopoulos is passionate about mentoring and has trained numerous URM individuals. She is also an active member of ATS, currently serving on both the PEDS Executive Committee and the PhD Basic and Translational Science Working Group.
Dr. Danopoulos is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the David Geffen School of Medicine- UCLA and an Investigator at the Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA. Her research focuses on understanding congenital lung anomalies observed in Down Syndrome.
Ezter's research focuses on ciliated airway epithelial cells. Her lab defines molecular mechanisms underlying the establishment, maintenance, and remodeling of the mucociliary airway epithelium and develops intentions to reinstate normal mucociliary structure and function to relieve disease burden.
Award Description:
Sponsored by the ATS Science and Innovation Center, the Rising Star awards will honor promising, junior basic/translational scientists performing novel research in the area of respiratory structure and function. If suitable candidates are nominated, two Rising Star awards will be presented each year. Nomination of diverse candidates is encouraged.
The awardees will showcase their research by presenting 15 min talks during a Rising Stars session hosted by the Science and Innovation Center during the ATS International Conference. The awardees will receive certificates during the same session.
Criteria:
- Junior investigator at the rank of postdoctoral or medical fellow, assistant professor or equivalent
- RSF Assembly membership, either primary or secondary
- Basic/translational researcher in the area of respiratory structure and function
- More than one first-authored paper in a well-respected journal
- Early career accomplishments and future promise
- Nominee’s current curriculum vitae including a list of nominee’s publications
- Nominator’s letter of recommendation
Nomination letter should describe nominee's:
- Basic/translational research contributions and promise
- Independence or future potential for independence
- Involvement in ATS, including any involvement in RSF Assembly
- Service to the broader scientific or medical community, if applicable
- Mentorship or teaching activities
