ISHLT Highlights Research from the Next Generation with 2026 Annual Meeting Abstract Awards

The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation 46^th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions included more than 2,000 presentations on improving outcomes for patients with advanced heart and lung disease from investigators from around the world.

Three abstract presentations from Toronto were selected to receive awards to recognize excellence from early career investigators. All conference abstracts are available to the public in a special supplement to The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation’s April 2026 issue.

The Philip K. Caves Award, Early Career Scientist Award, and Early Career & Trainee Clinical Case Dilemmas Best Presentation Award encourage and reward original high-quality research from trainees, residents, fellows, graduate students, and young researchers in fields across advanced heart and lung disease and transplantation.

Philip K. Caves Award

Awarded to: Michal Schafer, MD, PhD

Abstract: This study uses advanced myocardial deformation analysis and myocardial dyssynchrony patterns to predict right ventricular response to new loading conditions post LVAD implant.

 

Early Career Scientist Award

Awarded to: Ankita Burman, PhD

University Health Network (Toronto General Hospital Research Institute) | Toronto, ON Canada

Presentation Title: Expansion of a Club Cell Subset with Low Club Cell Secretory Protein (CCSP) and High Pro-Fibrotic Gene Expression in Lung Allograft Dysfunction

Abstract: Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) limits long-term survival after lung transplantation and results from chronic alloimmune and inhalational injuries to the airway epithelium. Given that epithelial club cells have protective roles but appear depleted in CLAD, this study undertook their extensive characterization using single-cell RNA-sequencing of airway brushings from lung transplant recipients. The research shows that rather than being absent, a pathogenically-reprogrammed club cell subset emerges during lung allograft dysfunction, characterized by low club cell secretory protein and high pro-inflammatory/pro-fibrotic marker expression.

 

Early Career & Trainee Clinical Case Dilemmas Best Presentation Award

Awarded to: Sowmith Rangu, MD, FRCPC

University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX USA

Presentation Title: Successful Berlin EXCOR Explantation and Long-Term Survival in a Stage 1 Single Ventricle Patient: Expanding the Limits of Myocardial Recovery

Abstract: This presentation describes the first documented successful explantation of a Berlin Heart EXCOR in a single ventricle patient supported after Stage 1 palliation, with sustained ventricular recovery, long-term survival, and progression toward Fontan candidacy. The case highlights the potential for myocardial recovery and staged palliation in highly selected SVAD patients, challenging the prevailing assumption that Berlin EXCOR support in this population is exclusively a bridge to transplant.

For more information about each of the awards, visit https://www.ishlt.org/grants-and-awards/scientific-abstract-awards.