It was a dual celebration at Saturday evening’s Research Program Benefit at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis Hotel — an opportunity not only to celebrate and support the mission of the ATS Research Program but, after two years of virtual meetings, a much-anticipated opportunity to celebrate the return to an in-person conference.

“It feels really good to be here and to be able to meet with friends and colleagues who I haven’t seen in a few years,” said Stella Ogake, MD, of Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “And for those of us who work in medicine, especially in the ICU, it signals something good that we are able to meet in person. Of course, we are still fighting COVID-19, but the fact that we can safely get together again is a sign that we are winning the battle.”

The biggest networking event this week at ATS 2022, Saturday’s Research Program Benefit was designed to be more casual than past events, offering attendees more time to socialize and celebrate being together again while supporting the work of early-career scientists.

“I’ve been a member of ATS for 25 years and have seen the impact that the ATS Research Program can have, particularly for young investigators, which is so important,” said Lynn Gerald, PhD, MSPH, of the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. “It is so wonderful to be able to support research and, at the same time, to finally be able to see all of my colleagues in person again, rather than in a little box on my computer screen.”

For Chris Struder, BS, Powell Mansfield, Inc., an ATS member working in the medical device industry, the synergy of networking and supporting research at the same time was the perfect combination to kick off ATS 2022.

“After nearly three years, it feels a little strange to be back in person, but it feels very, very good,” he said. “And it feels very good to be able to support the important role of the ATS in funding the research that can lead us to new innovations in treatments and diagnostics. The research I’ve seen coming from people who are members of ATS and received funding from the Research Program over the years has been extraordinary.”

For more information about ways to support the ATS and the Research Program, be sure to stop by the ATS 2022 Donor Appreciation Lounge, which is located in Room 159 (South Building, Upper Mezzanine) of the Moscone Center and open daily during the conference.