Professor Y C Gary LEE is a Professor of Respiratory Medicine at University of Western Australia. His translational pleural research program at the Institute for Respiratory Health uniquely integrates clinical, laboratory and allied health research arms with the clinical pleural service he leads at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Australia. He has delivered 400+ invited lectures in 34 countries and trained 30+ pleural specialists. His 350 publications (H-index 67; citations 17500+) included many high-profile clinical trials, impacting global practice. He has been awarded prestigious research awards/medals of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand, Asian Pacific Society of Respirology and Cancer Council WA. He has won successive Fellowships from the National Health & Medical Research Council and Medical Research Future Fund in Australia.Dr. Feller-Kopman is Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Professor of Medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. His clinical and research interests include the minimally invasive diagnosis and management of malignant pleural effusions, advanced bronchoscopic methods for the early diagnosis, staging and treatment of lung cancer, as well the role of interventional techniques to improve the care of patients with central airway obstruction. He has published over 260 peer reviewed manuscripts, with an h-index of 76. Dr. Feller-Kopman has lead multi-national and multi-society guidelines on the management of malignant pleural effusions. Additionally, Dr. Feller-Kopman has served as a co-mentor or mentor for 29 fellows, most of whom have very successful academic careers. He is the father of two wonderful children and has been married to his wife, Michelle, for 32 years!Nick Maskell, Professor of Respiratory Medicine University of Bristol and Honorary Consultant, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, EnglandHe leads the Academic Respiratory Unit (ARU) at the University of Bristol and is the current Clinical Director and Respiratory theme lead of the Bristol NIHR-BRC. He is an NIHR senior investigator and currently the Chief Investigator for a number of NIHR multi-centre randomised controlled trials. His current H-index is 77 with over 300 peer reviewed publications and >29000 citations. He is part of the faculty of the newly developed ERS thoracic ultrasound certified training programme. He co-chaired the 2018 BTS mesothelioma guidelines, the 2019 ERS malignant pleural effusion taskforce statement, the 2023 BTS pleural disease guidelines, 2024 ERS pneumothorax guidelines. Nick is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Mesothelioma UK and immediate past President for the British Thoracic Society.Richard W. LightBorn in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA, in 1942, Dr. Richard Wayne Light graduated from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1968. In 1972, during his residency in respiratory medicine at Johns Hopkins, he made a groundbreaking contribution by establishing the criteria to differentiate exudative from transudative pleural effusions. These criteria, now famously known as "Light's criteria," remain a cornerstone in clinical practice worldwide. This remarkable achievement marked the beginning of an illustrious and pioneering career dedicated to the study of pleural diseases, a field that became his lifelong passion.Dr. Light conducted much of his influential research at the University of California and Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. His seminal work, the monograph Pleural Diseases, first published in 1983 and now in its seventh edition, has served as an invaluable resource and inspiration for countless physicians and researchers. His ability to combine scientific rigor with clarity and simplicity in his writing is unparalleled, as evidenced by his more than 400 publications. Dr. Light was also an active contributor to numerous medical journals and a respected member of the Archivos de Bronconeumología Advisory Committee. His lectures, delivered in approximately 60 countries, captivated audiences with his profound knowledge, humility, and charisma, earning him admiration and respect from colleagues and students alike.Dr. Light was not only a brilliant scientist but also a man of exceptional character. He was known for his tireless work ethic, creativity, and humility, as well as his genuine willingness to recognize and celebrate the achievements of others. He was a mentor and a friend to many, often sharing his wisdom through his famous "five keys to professional success": be persistent, be organized, seek out win-win situations, adapt to the environment, and, most importantly, "sleep with the right person"—a piece of advice he exemplified in his loving partnership with his wife, Judi. Throughout his career, Dr. Light received numerous accolades, but he was particularly proud of being awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Lleida in 2010.In his later years, Dr. Light faced the challenges of aging and declining health with remarkable courage and resilience. Tragically, his life was cut short by an accidental fall at home, silencing a mind of extraordinary brilliance. In his characteristic humility, he might have resisted such accolades, but it is undeniable that his name is synonymous with the study of the pleura. His contributions opened new frontiers in this vital area of medicine, inspiring generations of clinicians and researchers. In a final act of generosity, Dr. Light donated his body to science, a testament to his lifelong commitment to advancing medical knowledge.It may be a long time—if ever—before the world sees another pulmonologist of Dr. Light's caliber, combining intellectual brilliance with profound humanity. Yet his legacy endures, as his work continues to guide and inspire those who follow in his footsteps
