Ms. Antoinette Doherty studied at Trinity College Dublin, Galway University, Royal College of Surgeons Atlantic Technology University and University of North London. Antoinette has M Sc. Nursing Studies, Post Grad Diplomas in Health Care Innovation, Advanced Nursing Practice, Respiratory Nursing and a B Sc. Nursing Studies and a higher National Diploma in Community Nursing Antoinette has had a lifelong career in respiratory nursing starting at the central of excellence The Royal Brompton London in London. Antoinette is employed as an Advanced Nursing Practitioner in Respiratory Integrated Co. Donegal, Ireland working at the Errigal Chronic Disease Management Hub. Antoinette has been instrumental in developing an alternate care pathway for individuals living with exacerbating COPD through her work on the proof-of-concept Community Virtual Ward which has now expanded to a two-year Community Acute Respiratory Excellence Virtual Ward Project which strives to deliver care in the right place at the right time throughout the county of Donegal. Published in the International Journal of Nursing and Health Care Research Community Virtual Ward (CVW+ cRR) Proof of-Concept Examining the Feasibility and Functionality of Partnership-Based Alternate Care Pathway for COPD Patients- Empowering Patients to Become Partners in their Disease Management.

Dr. Taylor-Cousar is a tenured Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at National Jewish Health where she cares for children with pulmonary disease and adults with Cystic Fibrosis. She was appointed as the Medical Director of Clinical Research Services for NJH in July 2017 and is currently the President of the Medical Staff. She is also the Co-Director of the Adult CF clinical program and the Director of CF Therapeutics Development Network research for the adult CF program. Her expertise is in clinical trial design and conduct, and therapeutic development for the treatment of CF lung disease. She is also actively evaluating the etiology and treatment of lung disease in orangutans (97% genetic homology with humans).

Associate Professor Shannon Simpson was awarded her PhD in 2010 by the University of Tasmania. Shannon’s PhD, which looked at the developing respiratory system in a pre-clinical model of preterm birth, received several awards including the prestigious American Physiological Society Scholander Prize for meritorious work by a young investigator. The move to Telethon Kids Institute expanded Shannon’s skills in clinical respiratory physiology while undertaking research in infants and children with cystic fibrosis, asthma and those surviving very preterm birth. Award of an Australian National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Early Career Fellowship (2014-17) enabled Shannon to pursue her passion of improving the health outcomes for babies born preterm. She has developed a strong international reputation as a leader in this area and now leads a multi-faceted research programme spanning from clinical cohort studies and interventional clinical trials to laboratory-based exploratory science. Shannon’s research excellence is supported by strong community engagement/involvement, support of clinical colleagues and wide reaching collaborative networks.