News & Announcements
Upcoming Sarcoidosis Conferences
Mark your calendars for the following upcoming sarcoidosis conferences
WASOG 2026 – July 15 – 17
The World Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Diseases is thrilled to host the WASOG 2026 Congress on Interstitial Lung Disease and Sarcoidosis at the Alfândega Congress Centre in the breathtaking city of Porto, Portugal, from July 15-17, 2026.
The WASOG 2026 congress will centre on the critical and evolving area of research in Sarcoidosis and Interstitial Lung Disease. There will be a mixture of basic/translational and clinical science as well as best practice advice. Sessions will include a mixture of didactic lectures, debates and case presentations with lots of time for lively discussion.
We welcome all pulmonary physicians, cardiologists, dermatologists, neurologists, rheumatologists, allied professionals, basic scientists, industry members, policy makers and others to Porto – a city of stunning beauty and charm. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, its picturesque hills, serene river, and diverse architectural wonders are sure to captivate you.
Join us for an unforgettable experience that will leave you with cherished memories and a desire to return.
Click on the link below for more information and Don’t forget to submit your abstract (closes April 20th 2026).
Did you know?
Fear of disease progression is the topmost concern for sarcoidosis patients in the United States (US)
A paper recently published by the Sarcoidosis Research Institute (SRI) in conjunction with our Sarcoidosis Center of Excellence (as one of the leading sites) describes the impact of sarcoidosis on US sarcoidosis patients.
The paper titled “A Snapshot of United States Sarcoidosis Patients and their Perceived Disease Impact: Results of the Sarcoidosis Research Institute Survey” presents survey results from over 1,000 US sarcoidosis patients noting that the patients ‘greatest concerns were fear of worsening disease, fear of sarcoidosis developing in more organs, and fear of sarcoidosis not improving. These were closely followed by concerns about poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL), inability to enjoy everyday activities, lack of medical research, disability from sarcoidosis, and pulmonary function status. Lack of physician knowledge and poor physician communication were ranked of lowest concern. This study is unique because it is the largest survey of US sarcoidosis patients and the survey instrument was designed with input from sarcoidosis patients themselves.
Please take a few moments to listen to the podcast discussing the papers main findings.
We are proud to partner with our patients – so many of whom participated in this survey – to advance research and knowledge in sarcoidosis. Thank you!
Coalition to Transform Clinical Trials Engagement
The Sarcoidosis Center of Excellence at ECU is a proud founding Steering Committee member of FSR’s Coalition to Transform Clinical Trial Engagement, working to advance clinical trial equity for Black patients with chronic conditions. Through the coalition’s advocacy efforts, we are honored to have secured a groundbreaking confirmation from the U.S. Department of Labor, ensuring Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) coverage for employees participating in clinical trials. This confirmation will advance equitable access to treatment and support clinical trial enrollment nationwide. Read the official press release here. To learn more about the coalition, visit Ignore No More.
Archived News
ATS 2026 – International Conference May 15 – 20
Orlando, FL
The ATS 2026 International Conference is over. There were a lot of excellent sessions on Sarcoidosis, and our Sarcoidosis Center of Excellence was very well represented at the conference.
Our very own Dr. Obi was Chair of the full day post graduate course in sarcoidosis that was titled “Sarcoidosis: What We Need to Know Today”. The course was packed full of a lot of excellent lectures from national and international experts in the field. As one of the leading national and international sarcoidosis experts, Dr. Obi presented a talk on “Fibrotic Pulmonary Sarcoidosis – What We Need to Know Today”. The talk highlighted the importance of early recognition of fibrotic pulmonary sarcoidosis noting the high morbidity and mortality associated with this disease phenotype. In a separate ATS session, Dr. Obi also presented top line results of the first in-patient study of XTMAB-16 in sarcoidosis. These results are promising and pave a way for future studies of XTMAB-16 in sarcoidosis. Attached are pictures from the post graduate course and from the various presentations.
Our Sarcoidosis Center of Excellence was also well represented through the presentation of several abstracts and high-quality posters that were featured in various thematic sessions. Dr. Messanh Ameduite presented two posters featuring an atypical presentation of hepatic sarcoidosis and a Nested Case-Control Study using 25-years of data from our Center of Excellence. The latter study was an excellent collaboration that included a medical student (Alekhya Majety), an Internal Medicine resident (Dr. Deniz Coskuner) in addition to Drs. Ameduite (a Fellow), Dr. Malur, and Dr. Obi – providing an excellent example of how the Sarcoidosis Center of Excellence is providing research opportunities that benefit patients, trainees, and medical students alike. Also to be congratulated is Dr. Saloni Rampal – who presented what we believe to be the first ever reported case of a lichenoid reaction in a sarcoidosis patient on Infliximab – highlighting the need for continued pharmacovigilance when our patients are started on advanced immunosuppressive therapies.
Dr. Ameduite presenting study findings to conference attendees during the poster session.
From left to right – Dr. Obi, Dr. Coskuner, Dr. Ameduite, Dr. Malur. Missing from the picture is Alekhya Majety.
Dr. Rampal and Dr. Obi at her poster describing the first reported case of a lichenoid reaction with anti-TNF therapy in sarcoidosis.
Dr. Obi chairing and presenting at the ATS 2026 post graduate course in sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis: What we Need to Know Today.
CHEST 2025
The CHEST 2025 conference was held from October 19 – 22, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Topics in sarcoidosis were extensively featured, and our Sarcoidosis Center of Excellence was well represented. Our very own Dr. Obi was one of the CHEST 2025 faculty lecturers. She participated in a pro-con debate discussing the use of anti-fibrotic drugs and pulmonary vasodilators in patients with fibrotic pulmonary sarcoidosis and sarcoidosis associated pulmonary hypertension (SAPH). She took the “pro” position and beautifully outlined the utility of using pulmonary vasodilators in patients with well phenotyped pre-capillary SAPH.
Dr. Obi presenting at CHEST 2025
Dr. Obi presenting on the topic “Pulmonary Vasodilators should be used in Sarcoidosis Associated Pulmonary Hypertension (SAPH) at the CHEST 2025 conference in Chicago IL. Oct 21, 2025
Faculty lecturers for the session “Antifibrotics and Pulmonary Vasodilators in Sarcoidosis: A Pro-Con Debate”
Several faculty and recent graduates from the division of pulmonary and critical care medicine were at the session. Left to right – Dr. Kush Gupta, Dr. Obi, Dr. Jawad, Dr. Tijani.
WASOG 2024
The WASOG 2024 conference was held from November 14 to 17 2024 in Agra, India. The WASOG 2024 congress planning committee put together an outstanding program that included topics covering the range of challenging clinical issues in sarcoidosis, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary vasculopathy. There was abundant content of great interest to those practicing in all of these areas, as well as cutting-edge clinical science. A copy of the program content is attached in the WASOG 2024 Program. The Sarcoidosis Center of Excellence at ECU was represented at the WASOG 2024 conference. Dr. Obi presented on the Current Status of Quality of Life Assessment as an Endpoint in Clinical Trials in Sarcoidosis and noted that the Fatigue Assessment Score (FAS) was recently translated into Hindi in October 2024.
Dr. Obi presenting at the WASOG 2024 conference in Agra India.
The Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) translated into Hindi
A few select slides from the presentation on “Current Status of Quality of Life (QoL) Assessments as Endpoints in Clinical Trials in Sarcoidosis”
Dr. Obi presenting “Current Status of Quality of Life Assessments as Endpoints in Clinical Trials in Sarcoidosis” at the WASOG 2024 conference in Agra, India.
CHEST 2024
The CHEST 2024 conference, was held from October 6 to 9 in Boston, Massachusetts. This premier event for professionals in the field of chest medicine. This annual gathering brings together leading experts, researchers, and practitioners to share the latest advancements in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine.
AASOG 2024
The Americas Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders (AASOG) 2024 conference held at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD from August 15 to 16, 2024 focused on leveraging multi-disciplinary care, research, and education to improve patient outcomes, reduce health disparities, and advance disease understanding in sarcoidosis.
Our very own Dr. Obi co-moderated the session on “Teamwork makes the Dreamwork”. Dr. Obi was also honored with the AASOG Emerging Leader Award for her outstanding achievements and enduring impact on advancing research and improving outcomes for patients with sarcoidosis. (George Peabody Library, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. August 15, 2024).
The WASOG Sarcoidosis Center of Excellence at ECU was well represeted at the 2024 ATS International Conference in San Diego, CA (May 19 – 23, 2024)
An East Carolina University clinic is gaining international recognition for its efforts to tackle a bedeviling systemic inflammatory disease that affects an unusually high number of people in eastern North Carolina.
Dr. Obi presenting Fibrosis in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis as part of the session on Current and Evolving Strategies for the Management of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis (Session C81) – The Marriott Marquis, San Diego Marina, CA. May 19, 2024.
Poster Presentation by Dr. Praful Schroff (PGY5) highlighting some of the diagnostic complexities of sarcoidosis.
ECU clinic a ‘Global Center of Excellence’ in treatment of inflammatory disease
An East Carolina University clinic is gaining international recognition for its efforts to tackle a bedeviling systemic inflammatory disease that affects an unusually high number of people in eastern North Carolina.
In Memorium
The Sarcoidosis Center of Excellence at ECU is built on the shoulders of giants.
Yash P. Kataria, MD, DTCD, Hons, WALES, : DT M&H, LIV, MRCP, EDIN, FRCP, FCCP, FACP,
(1936–2022)
Professor Emeritus of Medicine
Founded the Sarcoidosis Clinic at ECU
Dr. Kataria was a world class researcher and the first pulmonologist in eastern North Carolina (1978). He pioneered early research in sarcoidosis, established the sarcoidosis clinic at ECU, and was instrumental to ensuring its early success. Following his arrival from Ohio State University to Greenville, NC, Dr. Kataria built up the division of pulmonary and critical care medicine rising from Section Head of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine to Chair of the Department of Medicine. He will always be remembered as a world class researcher who was dedicated to caring for sarcoidosis patients in eastern North Carolina.