PVRI 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Rubin Tuder

Rubin Tuder, a trailblazer in the field of pulmonary vascular biology and a driving force in PH research, has been honoured with the PVRI Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025. This prestigious Award is given annually at the PVRI Annual Congress to a senior PH investigator or clinician for their exceptional and outstanding contributions to the field of pulmonary vascular disease and to PVRI. This recognition celebrates his unparalleled contributions to science, mentorship, and the global PH community. 

Rubin's innovative research has transformed our understanding of PH. His seminal contributions include the first evidence of clonality in vascular lesions, early identification of metabolic abnormalities in PH, and the molecular and histopathologic characterization of PH pathology. Most notably, he contributed significantly with others to the development of the Sugen-hypoxia (SU-Hx) rat model, now a foundational tool in preclinical studies that closely replicates human idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). This model has been instrumental in advancing drug discovery and translational research, enabling significant strides toward effective PH treatments. 

Beyond his groundbreaking scientific achievements, Rubin Tuder has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to mentorship, fostering a new generation of leaders in the field. With over 300 highly impactful publications in prestigious journals such as Nature Medicine and JCI, he remains one of the most influential figures in pulmonary research. His role as a mentor and supporter of trainees and junior faculty has left an enduring legacy, with many of his mentees now leading advancements in pulmonary and vascular medicine. 

Rubin has also been a cornerstone of collaboration and community in PH research. He was a significant member of the PVRI Executive Committee who established the operations and the structure of the PVRI in Malta in 2007, and he has been an attendee and continuous supporter of the PVRI since then. He played a vital role in shaping its early initiatives and fostering international partnerships, including research on schistosomiasis-related pulmonary disease. His influence extends to his home institution, the University of Colorado, where he remains a critical member of the PH research community. 

Receiving this award in Brazil, given his roots in São Paulo, adds a deeply personal dimension to this honour. The PVRI Lifetime Achievement Award recognises Rubin Tuder's remarkable scientific legacy and celebrates his exceptional contributions as a mentor, collaborator, and advocate for advancing pulmonary vascular research worldwide. 

Known for his intellectual rigor, generosity, and collegiality, Rubin Tuder is widely regarded as a brilliant scientist and an exceptional human being – congratulations Rubin!