Matthias Salathe (MD from the University of Basel, Switzerland) trained in anesthesiology, internal medicine, pulmonary and critical care (one-year support from the Swiss National Science Foundation), and basic science (HHMI funded). IN 1999, he received his first NIH award and has been continuously funded by the NIH, the State of Florida, the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and several other foundations. With initial seminal observations in the area of cilia and mucociliary function, he brought together a diverse group of scientists to broaden interactions, resulting in him proposing and chairing the inaugural, ongoing Gordon Research Conference on “Cilia, Mucus and Mucociliary Interactions”. He contributed to innate airway host defense and airway ion transport. As a translational researcher, he actively repurposes approved medications for airway inflammation and contributed to patient reported outcomes measures. Most recently, his vaping research reveals how vapors cause mucociliary dysfunction via activation of TRP channels and airway inflammation. As an advocate, he actively fights teen vaping. As an educator, he developed and taught the respiratory system module in Miami, receiving 11 student awards for excellence in teaching from 2002-2018. As an academic leader, he was division chief of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine (Miami) and is now chair of internal medicine (Kansas), rapidly expanding the departmental NIH portfolio. He was recently named the interim vice chancellor for research at KUMC and held/holds leadership roles in national societies and foundations.