Dr. Pia Maier is a pediatrician at the Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Allergology and Neonatology at MHH and an early-career scientist with BREATH. She was accepted into the TITUS Clinician Scientist Program ("The First Thousand Days of Life – Early Priming and Prevention") in the latest application round. The program centers on early childhood development research, with a special focus on the prenatal phase and the first years of life. It offers participants a structured clinical and scientific education, including 18 months of protected research time to conduct their own projects.

Within the TITUS program, Dr. Maier investigates surfactant metabolism disorders, the most common form of childhood ILDs. Surfactant is a surface-active substance essential for stabilizing the alveoli in the lungs. Impairments in its production or function can lead to severe respiratory diseases. Her project aims to improve diagnostics by thoroughly characterizing the cellular and structural features of these disorders. This should enable a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology and contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches.

Since 2021, BREATH has been funding dedicated slots in Clinician Scientist programs to promote the scientific careers of young clinicians and to strengthen the translation between clinical practice and research. This guiding principle was a key motivation for Dr. Maier to apply for the TITUS program: "Alongside my pediatric pulmonology training, I’m excited to now also advance my scientific qualification. The TITUS program offers ideal conditions for this."

The program supports Dr. Maier not only by providing time and funding for research, but also through mentoring. She is guided by BREATH PIs PD Dr. Nicolaus Schwerk, a pediatric pulmonologist and clinical mentor, and Prof. Dr. Jonas Schupp, an adult pulmonologist and scientific mentor. This structured mentorship fosters integration between clinical work and research and also enhances understanding of the similarities and differences in surfactant metabolism disorders across pediatric and adult patients.

BREATH is pleased to support Dr. Maier’s participation in the Clinician Scientist Program and wishes her every success with her project.
 

Text: BREATH/AB

Foto: privat