Thomas D’Eletto, M.D., FCCP, senior medical director of pulmonary vascular disease at Pfizer, Inc., and Rino Aldrighetti, president of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, were recognized by ATS President-Elect Dean E. Schraufnagel, M.D., at the Second Annual ATS Foundation Research Dinner.

The ATS, Pfizer, Inc., and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association are joining forces to fund two new research fellowships in pulmonary arterial hypertension. The Pulmonary Hypertension Association, a member of the ATS Public Advisory Roundtable (ATS PAR), has already committed to fully fund one research proposal, while Pfizer, Inc., has agreed to provide matching support to double the number of projects that can be funded in this area.

“This is the first time that a company has completely matched the contribution of one of the Society’s ATS PAR members,” said ATS Executive Director Steve Crane, Ph.D., M.P.H. “The ATS hopes this example is a model for the future.”

The application process is already underway and funding for these projects will begin September 1, 2010.