June 25, 2026
The conference brought together lung researchers from across the UK to share new findings, discuss emerging science and build collaborations that could help improve understanding, treatment and care for people affected by lung disease.
We also presented the Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis Prize, recognising the best pulmonary fibrosis-related abstracts and talks submitted to the conference. Entries were scored by experts in pulmonary fibrosis research to decide the winner.
This year’s prize was awarded to Dr Nancy Gomez, Research Fellow in Respiratory Medicine at the University of Nottingham, for her presentation: ‘Investigating the ability of TROCEPT, a novel viral therapy, to infect fibrotic lung tissue.’
Dr Gomez’s research looks at whether a specially changed virus called TROCEPT could help scientists target scarred lung tissue more precisely. TROCEPT was first developed for cancer research, where modified viruses are being explored as tiny delivery vehicles that can carry treatment directly to certain cells. Dr Gomez’s work asks whether this same idea could one day be used in pulmonary fibrosis. This research is still at an early stage, but it shows the kind of innovative thinking needed to find new ways to treat pulmonary fibrosis.
The prize celebrates high-quality research that could help advance understanding of pulmonary fibrosis, a complex and progressive lung disease where lung tissue becomes scarred and stiff. Supporting research like this is central to APF’s mission to stop lives being lost to pulmonary fibrosis.
Bradley Price, Director of Policy, Research and Involvement at Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis, said:
‘It was fantastic to attend the British Association for Lung Research Conference and hear from so many talented researchers working to improve understanding of lung disease.
‘We were especially pleased to give out the Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis Prize and recognise Dr Nancy Gomez’s work. Research is vital if we are to improve diagnosis, treatment and care for people affected by pulmonary fibrosis, and it is encouraging to see such strong science being presented by researchers across the UK.’
APF has a long-standing relationship with the British Association for Lung Research. Together with BALR and partner charities, we support summer studentships that give undergraduate basic science and medical students the opportunity to take part in respiratory research projects and gain early experience in lung disease research.
By sponsoring the conference, the Prize, and studentships, APF is helping to support the next generation of respiratory researchers and strengthen collaboration across the pulmonary fibrosis research community.
Find out more about how APF supports pulmonary fibrosis research: Our Research