Awards
At the end of the Posters on the Podium session, James Ivey was named the winner of the VCU RDD Peter R. Byron Graduate Student Award for excellence in research, and understanding and defense of work at RDD conferences.
Following the presentation of the “Pete” Award, Tony Hickey took the stage and announced a surprise for Pete Byron. Joined by Tyler Beck, President of the American Association for Aerosol Research (AAAR), Hugh Smythe representing the AAPS Inhaled and Nasal Technology Focus Group (INTFG), Phil Kuehl representing the International Society of Aerosol Medicine (ISAM), Jolyon MItchell representing USP expert committee, and Joseph DiPiro of Virginia Commonwealth University, Andy Clark presented Byron with a special one-time award recognizing his contribution to aerosol science on the 30th anniversary of RDD.
A Commendation for Professor Peter R Byron, himself! In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field, RDD founder Peter Byron receives unanimous acclamation from colleagues and all assembled at #RDD2018. Congratulations, Pete! pic.twitter.com/Jphciqfswr
— RDD Online, LLC (@rddonline) April 24, 2018
INTFG meeting
The Tuesday evening meeting of the INTFG was attended by a standing-room only crowd of at least 80 people. Hugh Smythe began the meeting by reviewing the INTFG’s recent and upcoming activities and explaining the transition within the AAPS from focus groups to “communities,” which will result in a restructuring of the group.
The remainder of the meeting was devoted to a presentation by Tony Hickey, who discussed the history of his research on inhaled therapies for tuberculosis and obstacles to continued development, including the attitudes of mainstream tuberculosis treatment and funding organizations toward inhaled treatments. He described the potential benefits of inhaled products for tuberculosis (and for non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections) and emphasized in particular the need for funding in order to advance development.
