Dr. Zhen Zheng of the Zhou Lab was recognized at the 2026 American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference in Orlando, Florida, where he received a Young Investigator Award from PF Warriors during a special Public Advisory Roundtable (PAR) awards ceremony held on May 17.

Dr. Zheng was selected as one of the 2026 ATS Abstract Winners for his research abstract, “Mechanoniche-dependent Alternative Splicing of a6-integrin Regulates Alveolar Mesenchymal Niche Cell Fate During Lung Repair.” As part of the conference, he also delivered remarks at the award reception and presented the Zhou Lab’s scientific research to attendees.

PF Warriors is an international organization dedicated to providing support, education, advocacy, and hope to individuals and families affected by pulmonary fibrosis. Through the ATS Public Advisory Roundtable, PF Warriors sponsors abstract scholarships and young investigator awards recognizing outstanding research contributions and promising early-career scientists advancing pulmonary fibrosis research.

The award highlights Dr. Zheng’s contributions to lung repair and pulmonary fibrosis research and reflects the continued impact of Tulane School of Medicine investigators in advancing translational and respiratory science.