Lung Foundation Australia congratulates Associate Professor Lucy Burr, Chair of the Australasian Bronchiectasis Consortium, on receiving the Tobias Welte Award at the World Bronchiectasis Conference 2026.
The prestigious international award recognises outstanding mid-career professionals who have made sustained, high-impact contributions to bronchiectasis care, research, leadership and mentorship, acknowledging Associate Professor Burr’s significant impact on improving outcomes for people living with bronchiectasis.
Lung Foundation Australia CEO Mark Brooke said the award was well deserved and reflected Associate Professor Burr’s dedication to advancing bronchiectasis care both in Australia and internationally.
“On behalf of Lung Foundation Australia, I congratulate Assoc Prof Burr on this outstanding achievement,” Mr Brooke said.
“Lucy has been an exceptional leader and advocate for people living with bronchiectasis, helping drive research, strengthen collaboration and improve clinical care. This international recognition is a testament to her expertise, commitment and lasting contribution to the respiratory health community.”
“We are proud to work alongside Lucy through the Lung Foundation Australia funded Australasian Bronchiectasis Consortium and celebrate this well-deserved recognition of her leadership on the global stage.”
In 2024 A/Prof Lucy Burr received the inaugural first Prof Christine Jenkins AM Woman of Influence in Lung Health Award for her contributions to the field of lung health through clinical endeavours, research pursuits, mentorship initiatives and leadership roles.
Photo: Lung Foundation Australia
Lung Foundation Australia extends its congratulations to Associate Professor Burr on this remarkable achievement and thanks her for her ongoing commitment to improving the lives of people affected by bronchiectasis.
Associate Professor Lucy Burr is a respiratory physician and researcher whose work is focused on improving everyday care for people living with bronchiectasis and chronic lung disease. Her career has grown from treating patients at the bedside to building research that directly changes how those patients are managed.
Early in her career, Lucy focused on understanding airway infection and why some treatments worked better than others. Her research helped explain how long-term macrolide therapy influences bacteria, inflammation, and resistance. This work has contributed to safer, more effective use of these treatments in clinical practice.
Over time, her focus has expanded from understanding disease to improving access to new treatments. She now leads a large clinical trials program that connects patients with emerging therapies, often years before they are widely available. Her work brings together clinical care, research, and data from registries to ensure that studies address real patient needs.
Lucy also plays key leadership roles nationally and internationally. As Chair of the Australasian Bronchiectasis Consortium, she helps coordinate research and clinical efforts across Australia, strengthening collaboration and ensuring patients benefit from advances in care.
What defines her work is its practical impact. Whether through clinical trials, registry data, or guideline development, her focus remains on improving outcomes and quality of life for patients. Just as importantly, she has invested in building the teams and systems needed to sustain this work into the future, with a strong commitment to making research accessible to more people.
Was this page helpful?
Good job! Please give your positive feedback
How could we improve this post? Please Help us.
