Researcher celebrated at national awards for patient-centred excellence

Dr Joseph Lanario was recognised for his impactful early career research by the British Thoracic Society (BTS)
Dr Joe Lanario (right) receiving his award from the British Thoracic Society
Dr Joe Lanario (right) receiving his award

A pioneering Research Fellow from the University of Plymouth has won an award for his outstanding contribution to respiratory research and dedication to patient involvement. 
Dr Joseph Lanario received his award for impactful early career research at the annual Winter meeting of the British Thoracic Society (BTS), presented in conjunction with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). 
The award category was “the Early Career Researcher and those new to research from all non-medical professional groups showing a significant contribution to recruitment into NIHR portfolio studies”. It recognised the significant contribution Dr Lanario has made to the experience of patients with severe asthma and interstitial lung disease (ILD), along with his efforts in transforming the way respiratory research is delivered.  
Since 2016, he has recruited over 600 patients into specialist asthma studies – recently spearheading recruitment for the UK component of a ground-breaking European study spanning 11 countries, examining the impact of severe asthma on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The team, under his guidance, has collected questionnaire data from over 140 patients through a custom app. 
Additionally, he co-authored the Severe Asthma Questionnaire (SAQ), a patient-partnered initiative capturing perspectives on disease and treatment, and he has worked closely with patients and colleagues to increase study recruitment, developing innovative approaches to encourage research participation. For example, to overcome the challenges faced during the global COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Lanario implemented changes that meant that volunteers could take part in studies from the comfort of their homes, which proved to be convenient and accessible for patients. 
woman inhaling asthmatic cure at home. Woman is living life with chronic illness everyday and overcoming challenges with it.

Thank you to the British Thoracic Society (BTS) and the National Institute of Health and Care Research for this award, and to the severe asthma and ILD teams for their support of the research. This is a great honour for the University, and everyone caring for severe asthma and ILD at the Royal Devon.

Joseph LanarioJoseph Lanario
Research Fellow at the University of Plymouth and a key member of the Severe Asthma and ILD teams based at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Most recently, Dr Lanario has also collaborated with the ILD team, evaluating the use of spirometry at home for interstitial lung disease. This is essentially a basic breathing test that measures the amount of air a person can blow out as fast as they can and is a useful way of monitoring lung conditions, measuring response to treatment, and measuring the progression of lung disease.  

Joseph has been an instrumental part of our patient-centred research programme and it is fantastic to see that his hard work, commitment and success are being rewarded.

Dr Matthew Masoli, Respiratory Consultant for the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

We were absolutely delighted to hear of Joe's award. He has worked tirelessly and is a valued member of the team; it was therefore a delight to see him receiving such worthy recognition.

Professor Michael Gibbons, Clinical Director, Exeter – South West Peninsula Interstitial Lung Disease service

Find out more about our asthma research  

The Severe Asthma Research Programme is a collaborative effort between the University of Plymouth’s Faculty of Health, the School of Psychology, and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. 
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Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research

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