Yunjoo Im

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the APSR/ERS for the invaluable support extended to me, which enabled my attendance at the 2023 ERS International Conference in Milan, as a recipient of the Young Investigator Award. This opportunity has been a transformative experience for me as a young researcher. It provided a unique platform to connect with colleagues from across the globe and engage in discussions that have enriched my understanding of our field.

During the conference, I had the privilege of presenting my research titled "Development and validation of a scoring system for predicting pulmonary complications after curative resection in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients with early stage lung cancer" in the Oral presentation session, 'Novel research impacting clinical practice in interstitial lung disease'.

Patients with IPF face a significantly elevated risk of developing lung cancer. In addition, IPF is a significant risk factor that negatively affects the likelihood of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), in-hospital mortality, and overall survival even in early lung cancer patients eligible for surgical resection. The lack of guidance in this area prompted our endeavour to develop a novel scoring system to identify optimal candidates for surgical resection. A new risk stratification system that comprises well-known risk factors for PPCs (age, gender, DLco, ASA, DM, extent of surgery) showed good performance for predicting PPCs in IPF lung cancer patients.

Engaging with the audience and receiving feedback from seasoned researchers during this session was immensely beneficial. These discussions have not only refined my work but have also provided me with a broader perspective on the implications of our findings. Moreover, participating in the ERS Congress not only widened my knowledge horizons with the latest advancements in pulmonology but also afforded me a platform to gain visibility within the research community, a facet that holds great potential in advancing my work in the future.

Receiving the Young Investigator Award was a profound honour, and I extend my sincere gratitude to the ERS and APSR for their generous support. I look forward to the opportunity for future collaborations and the prospect of meeting colleagues who share the same passion for advancing research in our respective fields.

I would also like to take this moment to express my deepest appreciation to Prof. Yoo and my colleagues for their continuous inspiration and invaluable guidance throughout this research endeavour.

Photo left to right:
Dr David CL Lam, APSR President
Dr Yunjoo Im
Dr Chul-Gyu Yoo, APSR President-Elect
(Click image to enlarge)