WABIP
Academy
Congress
Executive Board
Stefano Gasparini, MD
Chair (Italy)
Stefano Gasparini, MD graduated from the University of Ancona in 1978. He subsequently specialized in Pulmonary Diseases (1982), Respiratory physiology (1985), and Anesthesiology/Intensive Care Medicine (1990) at the University of Ancona and University of Naples, Italy. He was Director of the Pulmonary Diseases Unit of the Hospital of Ancona since June, 2000 up to 2019. He was named Associate Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the Università Politecnica delle Marche Medical School in 2012 and Full Professor in 2019.
He is Director of Specialty School in Respiratory Medicine and Director of the Postgraduate Master in Interventional Pulmonology at the University of Ancona. He has authored or coauthored more than 250 peer-reviewed scientific publications, is regularly invited to teach and lecture around the globe, and has prestigious leadership positions in several international medical societies and medical journals. Prof. Gasparini was WCBIP President of the 19th World Congress of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology held in Florence, Italy in 2016 and recipient of the Gustav Killian award by WABIP in 2018.
Chair (Italy)
Stefano Gasparini, MD graduated from the University of Ancona in 1978. He subsequently specialized in Pulmonary Diseases (1982), Respiratory physiology (1985), and Anesthesiology/Intensive Care Medicine (1990) at the University of Ancona and University of Naples, Italy. He was Director of the Pulmonary Diseases Unit of the Hospital of Ancona since June, 2000 up to 2019. He was named Associate Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the Università Politecnica delle Marche Medical School in 2012 and Full Professor in 2019.
He is Director of Specialty School in Respiratory Medicine and Director of the Postgraduate Master in Interventional Pulmonology at the University of Ancona. He has authored or coauthored more than 250 peer-reviewed scientific publications, is regularly invited to teach and lecture around the globe, and has prestigious leadership positions in several international medical societies and medical journals. Prof. Gasparini was WCBIP President of the 19th World Congress of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology held in Florence, Italy in 2016 and recipient of the Gustav Killian award by WABIP in 2018.
Pyng Lee, MD, PhD
Vice-Chair (Singapore)
Lee Pyng is Associate Professor, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. She is also Director of Interventional Pulmonology, Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, National University Hospital. Associate Professor Lee has an active interest in lung cancer, pleural disease, obstructive airway disease, bronchoscopy and pleuroscopy. She was the past President of Singapore Thoracic Society, and serves on international scientific committees in Lung Cancer, Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology as well as American College of Chest Physician Steering Committees. She represents Singapore as Global Governor for American College of Chest Physicians and is invited locally and overseas to speak and instruct in pleuroscopy, bronchoscopy, bronchial thermoplasty and lung cancer. Associate Professor Lee is the author of publications in peer-reviewed journals, has written a manual and a book on pleuroscopy that worn the British Medical Association Best Book Award in internal medicine in 2011. She received the Young Investigator’s award 2000 for work in asthma, Best Poster Award for research in talc and cancer cells at CHEST 2006, Best Original Investigation and Presentation at Chest World Congress 2014, and the Geoffrey McLennan Award for advancing the field of Interventional Pulmonology at CHEST 2014, Austin, Texas. In 2018, she was conferred AC Shah Oration Award for Woman Researcher in Interventional Pulmonology by Indian Association for Bronchology. She has completed her PhD on New Applications of Bronchoscopic Techniques conferred by Vrije University, Amsterdam in 2014, first in Respiratory medicine She also received Best Teacher Award in 2012 for undergraduate education, National University Hospital teaching excellence award for post-graduate education in 2014, and the prestigious Outstanding Tutor Award by National University of Singapore Medical Society. She is recently conferred the prestigious Pasquale Ciaglia award by CHEST 2019 for interventional medicine.
Vice-Chair (Singapore)
Lee Pyng is Associate Professor, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. She is also Director of Interventional Pulmonology, Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, National University Hospital. Associate Professor Lee has an active interest in lung cancer, pleural disease, obstructive airway disease, bronchoscopy and pleuroscopy. She was the past President of Singapore Thoracic Society, and serves on international scientific committees in Lung Cancer, Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology as well as American College of Chest Physician Steering Committees. She represents Singapore as Global Governor for American College of Chest Physicians and is invited locally and overseas to speak and instruct in pleuroscopy, bronchoscopy, bronchial thermoplasty and lung cancer. Associate Professor Lee is the author of publications in peer-reviewed journals, has written a manual and a book on pleuroscopy that worn the British Medical Association Best Book Award in internal medicine in 2011. She received the Young Investigator’s award 2000 for work in asthma, Best Poster Award for research in talc and cancer cells at CHEST 2006, Best Original Investigation and Presentation at Chest World Congress 2014, and the Geoffrey McLennan Award for advancing the field of Interventional Pulmonology at CHEST 2014, Austin, Texas. In 2018, she was conferred AC Shah Oration Award for Woman Researcher in Interventional Pulmonology by Indian Association for Bronchology. She has completed her PhD on New Applications of Bronchoscopic Techniques conferred by Vrije University, Amsterdam in 2014, first in Respiratory medicine She also received Best Teacher Award in 2012 for undergraduate education, National University Hospital teaching excellence award for post-graduate education in 2014, and the prestigious Outstanding Tutor Award by National University of Singapore Medical Society. She is recently conferred the prestigious Pasquale Ciaglia award by CHEST 2019 for interventional medicine.
Hideo Saka, MD
Immediate Past-Chair (Japan)
Dr. Hideo Saka graduated from Nagoya University School of Medicine in 1980. After taking his residency in Aichi Cancer Center, and Nagoya First Red Cross Hospital, Dr. Saka engaged in academic clinical research works at Nagoya University Hospital. As chair of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at National Nagoya Hospital since 1998, Dr. Saka's focus is on clinical research on pulmonary intervention and cancer chemotherapy. Dr. Saka received the Ikeda award from Japanese Society for Respiratory Endoscopy (JSRE) in 2006, and has been elected as a non-voting president of the annual meeting of JSRE in 2016. He has served on the Board of Regents of WABIP, and played an important role in international education on Bronchology. His main targets are pulmonary intervention on the central airway diseases, and diagnostic approach to the peripheral lung lesions. Many publications prove his efforts and creativity in this field. He is honored to be a part of steering committee of this Society.
Immediate Past-Chair (Japan)
Dr. Hideo Saka graduated from Nagoya University School of Medicine in 1980. After taking his residency in Aichi Cancer Center, and Nagoya First Red Cross Hospital, Dr. Saka engaged in academic clinical research works at Nagoya University Hospital. As chair of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at National Nagoya Hospital since 1998, Dr. Saka's focus is on clinical research on pulmonary intervention and cancer chemotherapy. Dr. Saka received the Ikeda award from Japanese Society for Respiratory Endoscopy (JSRE) in 2006, and has been elected as a non-voting president of the annual meeting of JSRE in 2016. He has served on the Board of Regents of WABIP, and played an important role in international education on Bronchology. His main targets are pulmonary intervention on the central airway diseases, and diagnostic approach to the peripheral lung lesions. Many publications prove his efforts and creativity in this field. He is honored to be a part of steering committee of this Society.
Ali Musani, MD
Coordinator of Finance and Fundraising Activities (USA)
Dr. Musani serves as the chair of the Interventional Pulmonology Institute and the Financial Affairs and Fundraising Committee of the World Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (WABIP). He is the former President and currently chair of the Regulatory and Advocacy Committee of the American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (AABIP). Dr. Musani has always been a loyal servant in the field of Interventional Pulmonology around the globe. As an expert in the field of IP, he serves the advisory, editorial, and scientific boards of numerous national and international organizations. He has authored several books on IP-related subjects and edited several pulmonary and IP journals over the years. Throughout his career, Dr. Musani has authored hundreds of scientific publications, book chapters, editorials, abstracts, case reports, and scientific reviews. He has been writing the scientific corner of the WABIP Newsletter since its inception. Dr. Musani recently received the 2022 Distinguished Educator Award from the American College of Chest Physicians and the 2022 Distinguished Service Award from the AABIP. Throughout his career, his passion and goals for the field have always laid in the democratization of medicine and the elevation of health education and health delivery standards in resource-poor areas of the world.
Coordinator of Finance and Fundraising Activities (USA)
Dr. Musani serves as the chair of the Interventional Pulmonology Institute and the Financial Affairs and Fundraising Committee of the World Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (WABIP). He is the former President and currently chair of the Regulatory and Advocacy Committee of the American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (AABIP). Dr. Musani has always been a loyal servant in the field of Interventional Pulmonology around the globe. As an expert in the field of IP, he serves the advisory, editorial, and scientific boards of numerous national and international organizations. He has authored several books on IP-related subjects and edited several pulmonary and IP journals over the years. Throughout his career, Dr. Musani has authored hundreds of scientific publications, book chapters, editorials, abstracts, case reports, and scientific reviews. He has been writing the scientific corner of the WABIP Newsletter since its inception. Dr. Musani recently received the 2022 Distinguished Educator Award from the American College of Chest Physicians and the 2022 Distinguished Service Award from the AABIP. Throughout his career, his passion and goals for the field have always laid in the democratization of medicine and the elevation of health education and health delivery standards in resource-poor areas of the world.
Silvia Quadrelli, MD, PhD
Coordinator of Regents and Member Societies (Argentina)
As a specialist in the field of lung cancer, Dr. Quadrelli has been responsible for promoting the creation of multidisciplinary cancer boards all over Argentina and in other countries in South America. From her position as Director of a Thoracic Oncology Centre (Buenos Aires British Hospital) and in different leadership positions in several respiratory and cancer associations, Dr. Quadrelli has had extensive experience in being in charge of disseminating the increasing role of bronchoscopists in the molecular diagnosis of lung cancer in Argentina and South America. In regards to board membership roles, Dr. Quadrelli has had an extensive experience in being in various capacities as a leader in the Argentinean Association for Bronchology and the South American Association for Bronchology. Additionally, she has been long involved in the WAB and WABIP, contributing to its congress, the WCBIP, as a member of its scientific committee in the past 4 congresses (including Florence 2016). Dr. Quadrelli has also participated in the committee of the South American Association for Bronchology Conference since 1995 and up to 2016. Other international association responsibilities included the American College of Chest Physicians, serving in the Steering Committee Cultural Diversity Network (2008-2011), as a Governor for Argentina at the International Committee (2009-2016) and as a member of the Nominating Committee (2011-2013).
Coordinator of Regents and Member Societies (Argentina)
As a specialist in the field of lung cancer, Dr. Quadrelli has been responsible for promoting the creation of multidisciplinary cancer boards all over Argentina and in other countries in South America. From her position as Director of a Thoracic Oncology Centre (Buenos Aires British Hospital) and in different leadership positions in several respiratory and cancer associations, Dr. Quadrelli has had extensive experience in being in charge of disseminating the increasing role of bronchoscopists in the molecular diagnosis of lung cancer in Argentina and South America. In regards to board membership roles, Dr. Quadrelli has had an extensive experience in being in various capacities as a leader in the Argentinean Association for Bronchology and the South American Association for Bronchology. Additionally, she has been long involved in the WAB and WABIP, contributing to its congress, the WCBIP, as a member of its scientific committee in the past 4 congresses (including Florence 2016). Dr. Quadrelli has also participated in the committee of the South American Association for Bronchology Conference since 1995 and up to 2016. Other international association responsibilities included the American College of Chest Physicians, serving in the Steering Committee Cultural Diversity Network (2008-2011), as a Governor for Argentina at the International Committee (2009-2016) and as a member of the Nominating Committee (2011-2013).
Jean-Michel Vergnon, MD
Coordinator of Education and Academic Affairs (France)
Jean Michel Vergnon M.D. obtained his medical degree in 1981 and his pulmonology specialization in 1983 in the university of Lyons (France). PhD degree was obtained in 1992 in the university of Saint Etienne (France). He was full Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University hospitals of Saint-Etienne (France) from 1992 up to August 2022 and responsible and coordinator for the academic training of pulmonology from 2002 up to 2022. Now, he is in a position of professor Emeritus. He was head of the department of chest diseases and thoracic oncology of the university hospitals of St Etienne from 2002 up to 2020.
• Vice dean of the Medicine Faculty “Jacques Lisfranc” University Jean Monnet Saint Etienne from 1997 up to 2005.
• Founder and responsible of the national French academic training on interventional pulmonology and advanced bronchoscopy from 2010 up to 2022
• Founder and chair of de GETIF group (International French speaking Study Group on thoracic endoscopy and interventional pulmonology) from 2001 up to 2021
• Full academic member of the INSERM 1059 research unit “SAINBIOSE” from 2015 to 2022.
• Recipient of the WABIP-Dumon Award by WABIP (2014) and the Academic Palms (grade officer) from the French National education minister.
• Member of World Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology since 1984. Now Regent for the GETIF.
• Author of more than 200 scientific papers published on National and International Journals, most of them related to interventional pulmonology topics.
• Author of 72 chapters or educational articles in national and international books or journals related to Interventional Pulmonology.
Coordinator of Education and Academic Affairs (France)
Jean Michel Vergnon M.D. obtained his medical degree in 1981 and his pulmonology specialization in 1983 in the university of Lyons (France). PhD degree was obtained in 1992 in the university of Saint Etienne (France). He was full Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University hospitals of Saint-Etienne (France) from 1992 up to August 2022 and responsible and coordinator for the academic training of pulmonology from 2002 up to 2022. Now, he is in a position of professor Emeritus. He was head of the department of chest diseases and thoracic oncology of the university hospitals of St Etienne from 2002 up to 2020.
• Vice dean of the Medicine Faculty “Jacques Lisfranc” University Jean Monnet Saint Etienne from 1997 up to 2005.
• Founder and responsible of the national French academic training on interventional pulmonology and advanced bronchoscopy from 2010 up to 2022
• Founder and chair of de GETIF group (International French speaking Study Group on thoracic endoscopy and interventional pulmonology) from 2001 up to 2021
• Full academic member of the INSERM 1059 research unit “SAINBIOSE” from 2015 to 2022.
• Recipient of the WABIP-Dumon Award by WABIP (2014) and the Academic Palms (grade officer) from the French National education minister.
• Member of World Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology since 1984. Now Regent for the GETIF.
• Author of more than 200 scientific papers published on National and International Journals, most of them related to interventional pulmonology topics.
• Author of 72 chapters or educational articles in national and international books or journals related to Interventional Pulmonology.
Naofumi Shinagawa, MD
Secretary General (Japan)
Dr. Naofumi Shinagawa graduated from Asahikawa medical University in 1996. After taking his residency in KKR Sapporo Medical Centre, and some hospitals in Hokkaido, Dr. Shinagawa engaged in academic clinical research works at Hokkaido University Hospital. He studied respiratory intervention including rigid bronchoscope at Heidelberg University Thoraxklinik in 2007 from Dr. H. Becker, Dr. R. Eberhardt, and F. Herth. As Lecturer of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at First Department of Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital since 2015. Dr. Shinagawa's focus is on clinical research on pulmonary intervention and cancer chemotherapy. Dr. Shinagawa received the Japanese pulmonary intervention award in 2019. His main targets are diagnostic approach to the peripheral lung lesions using navigation system, and pulmonary intervention. Many publications prove his efforts and creativity in this field. He is honoured to be a part of steering committee of this Society.
Secretary General (Japan)
Dr. Naofumi Shinagawa graduated from Asahikawa medical University in 1996. After taking his residency in KKR Sapporo Medical Centre, and some hospitals in Hokkaido, Dr. Shinagawa engaged in academic clinical research works at Hokkaido University Hospital. He studied respiratory intervention including rigid bronchoscope at Heidelberg University Thoraxklinik in 2007 from Dr. H. Becker, Dr. R. Eberhardt, and F. Herth. As Lecturer of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at First Department of Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital since 2015. Dr. Shinagawa's focus is on clinical research on pulmonary intervention and cancer chemotherapy. Dr. Shinagawa received the Japanese pulmonary intervention award in 2019. His main targets are diagnostic approach to the peripheral lung lesions using navigation system, and pulmonary intervention. Many publications prove his efforts and creativity in this field. He is honoured to be a part of steering committee of this Society.
Menaldi Rasmin, MD, PhD
23rd WCBIP President (Indonesia)
Prof.Menaldi Rasmin is a senior lecturer of the Department of Pulmonology Respiratory Medicine Universitas Indonesia since 1991. As the resident in training, in 1989 Rector of Universitas Indonesia sent him to get trained on LASER and tracheobronchial stenting under Prof.. JF Dumon at St. Margueritte Hospital, Marseille-France and to get trained on respiratory critical care under the supervision of Prof. Koichiro Nakata at Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo-Japan and on Transbronchial Lung Biopsy under Prof. Shigeto Ikeda at Tokyo Medical College. In 1993 he get trained on the use of needles for transthoracal biopsy and transbronchial needle aspiration under Dr.Ko Pen Wang in Chicago-USA. He served mostly in interventional pulmonology (bronchoscopy, transthoracal biopsy and pleuroscopy) and in respiratory critical care at Persahabatan National Respiratory Referral Hospital, Jakarta Indonesia.
He developed a special Division of Interventional Pulmonology-Respiratory Critical Care in the Department and trained pulmonologist around Indonesia on that field. He was the pioneer of transbronchial lung biopsy, transbronchial lung curettage and pleuroscopy as well. He also declared the specific classification of Respiratory Distress on 2018 which are very useful on the management of COVID-19 patients nowadays in the country.
He was the Dean of Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia (2004-2008) and the President of Indonesia Medical Council (2009-2014). He is a member of the American College of Chest Physician (since 1991 : 2 times as Governor for Indonesia and then 2 times as Regent for Indonesia), World Association of Bronchoscopy (since 1995), also member of European Respirology Society (ERS) and Asia Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR).
Now, his activities as an interventionalist and respiratory critical physician is as the Consultant of COVID-19 Management at Persahabatan Hospital the National COVID-19 Referral Hospital as well as doing some study on COVID-19 (Indonesia Principle Investigator in WHO-Solidarity Trial) and member of Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) of many national research on COVID-19. He is now the Chairman of the Academic Senate of Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia and Chairman of Expert Board of Indonesia Medical Association.
23rd WCBIP President (Indonesia)
Prof.Menaldi Rasmin is a senior lecturer of the Department of Pulmonology Respiratory Medicine Universitas Indonesia since 1991. As the resident in training, in 1989 Rector of Universitas Indonesia sent him to get trained on LASER and tracheobronchial stenting under Prof.. JF Dumon at St. Margueritte Hospital, Marseille-France and to get trained on respiratory critical care under the supervision of Prof. Koichiro Nakata at Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo-Japan and on Transbronchial Lung Biopsy under Prof. Shigeto Ikeda at Tokyo Medical College. In 1993 he get trained on the use of needles for transthoracal biopsy and transbronchial needle aspiration under Dr.Ko Pen Wang in Chicago-USA. He served mostly in interventional pulmonology (bronchoscopy, transthoracal biopsy and pleuroscopy) and in respiratory critical care at Persahabatan National Respiratory Referral Hospital, Jakarta Indonesia.
He developed a special Division of Interventional Pulmonology-Respiratory Critical Care in the Department and trained pulmonologist around Indonesia on that field. He was the pioneer of transbronchial lung biopsy, transbronchial lung curettage and pleuroscopy as well. He also declared the specific classification of Respiratory Distress on 2018 which are very useful on the management of COVID-19 patients nowadays in the country.
He was the Dean of Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia (2004-2008) and the President of Indonesia Medical Council (2009-2014). He is a member of the American College of Chest Physician (since 1991 : 2 times as Governor for Indonesia and then 2 times as Regent for Indonesia), World Association of Bronchoscopy (since 1995), also member of European Respirology Society (ERS) and Asia Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR).
Now, his activities as an interventionalist and respiratory critical physician is as the Consultant of COVID-19 Management at Persahabatan Hospital the National COVID-19 Referral Hospital as well as doing some study on COVID-19 (Indonesia Principle Investigator in WHO-Solidarity Trial) and member of Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) of many national research on COVID-19. He is now the Chairman of the Academic Senate of Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia and Chairman of Expert Board of Indonesia Medical Association.
Rajesh Thomas, MD, PhD
24th WCBIP President (Melbourne)
24th WCBIP President (Melbourne)
Kazuhiro Yasufuku, MD
WABIP Newsletter Editor-in-Chief (Canada)
Dr. Kazuhiro Yasufuku is Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto, Staff Thoracic Surgeon at the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Toronto General Hospital. He is the Director of the Interventional Thoracic Surgery Program at the University Health Network (UHN), which includes the Interventional Thoracic Surgery Animal Operating Room capable of high-end endoscopic development and the state-of-the-art Interventional Thoracic Surgery Suite at the Toronto General Hospital for clinical application of new developments. He has continued to improve the quality and capability of minimally invasive diagnostics and reduced the timeline of detection, diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.
Dr. Yasufuku is very active in International Societies related to Thoracic Surgery and Interventional Pulmonology. In addition to his roles as WABIP Newsletter Editor-in-Chief and Executive Board member, he serves as the Vice Chair of the Interventional Chest/Diagnostics Procedure Network Committee for CHEST, Secretary General of the Asian-Pacific Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology. He is also Associate Editor for the Journal of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology and Associate Editor for Respiration. He is actively involved in innovation and currently a member of the AATS/STS (American Association for Thoracic Surgery/Society of Thoracic Surgeons) Workforce on New Technology.
WABIP Newsletter Editor-in-Chief (Canada)
Dr. Kazuhiro Yasufuku is Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto, Staff Thoracic Surgeon at the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Toronto General Hospital. He is the Director of the Interventional Thoracic Surgery Program at the University Health Network (UHN), which includes the Interventional Thoracic Surgery Animal Operating Room capable of high-end endoscopic development and the state-of-the-art Interventional Thoracic Surgery Suite at the Toronto General Hospital for clinical application of new developments. He has continued to improve the quality and capability of minimally invasive diagnostics and reduced the timeline of detection, diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.
Dr. Yasufuku is very active in International Societies related to Thoracic Surgery and Interventional Pulmonology. In addition to his roles as WABIP Newsletter Editor-in-Chief and Executive Board member, he serves as the Vice Chair of the Interventional Chest/Diagnostics Procedure Network Committee for CHEST, Secretary General of the Asian-Pacific Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology. He is also Associate Editor for the Journal of Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology and Associate Editor for Respiration. He is actively involved in innovation and currently a member of the AATS/STS (American Association for Thoracic Surgery/Society of Thoracic Surgeons) Workforce on New Technology.
