SPR Strengthens International Collaboration at JPS 2026
The Society for Pediatric Research® (SPR) President, Eric D. Austin, MD, MSc, and members of the Emerging to Established (E2E) Leadership Committee, Lillian Juttukonda, MD, PhD, and Nisha Dalvie, MD, represented the Society at the 129th Japan Pediatric Society (JPS) Annual Meeting, held in Yamaguchi, Japan this April.
The meeting provided the opportunity to strengthen SPR’s longstanding partnership with JPS, foster international collaboration, and engage in important discussions surrounding the future of the pediatric workforce.
Reflecting on the experience, SPR President, Dr. Austin shared:
“JPS is a wonderful collaborative organization with which SPR is privileged and thrilled to work with. Similar to our other partners in Europe and beyond, we recognize that there are scientists and child health researchers who are working hard to improve the lives of children and conduct excellent science. Our friends in Asia are no different.
It was a terrific reminder that the opportunities and challenges we face are not unique to America. They exist across the continent and across the world. And so, we’re only stronger as a scientific community if we collaborate together and pursue solutions together. I left Japan invigorated for the future and thankful for the warm welcome and time that we shared there.”
As part of the program, Dr. Juttukonda and Dr. Dalvie were invited to present about the pathways for pediatric scientists in the United States and abroad. Discussions highlighted share opportunities and challenges facing pediatric researchers worldwide and emphasized the importance of global collaboration in advancing child health.
“Attending JPS in Shimonoseki, Japan, was an eye-opening and really enjoyable experience. While the majority of the meeting was in Japanese, there were several state-of-the-art sessions in English every day that were educational and interesting. I was very proud of the session that I helped to moderate, which discussed similarities and differences in pediatric scientist training in the US, Japan, and Europe. The best part of the experience was meeting new friends and colleagues navigating the physician-scientist journey around the world.”
Lillian Juttukonda, MD, PhD
E2E Leadership Committee Past Chair
“It was an honor to participate in the 129th Annual JPS meeting. The leaders of JPS are thinking critically not only about how to improve the health and well-being of children, but how to create sustainable pathways for future pediatricians to succeed. Their commitment to international collaboration is remarkable and I was truly inspired by the many other young leaders I met from all over the world. I hope this tradition of global exchange continues for many years to come!”
Nisha Dalvie, MD
E2E Leadership Committee Member
SPR extends its gratitude to the Japan Pediatric Society for its hospitality and partnership. Through continued collaboration, SPR and JPS advance cross cultural exchange and research training in academic pediatrics.
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About the Society for Pediatric Research
The Society for Pediatric Research® (SPR) encourages and supports pediatric research endeavors by cultivating a diverse network of child health researchers through collaboration, community, mentorship, and advocacy. Collaboration among SPR members creates meaningful progress for the future of children’s health. For more information, please visit www.societyforpediatricresearch.org, and follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and X.
