Dr Paul O’Byrne is the EJ Moran Campbell Professor of Medicine, the Executive Director of the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, and Chair of the Department of Medicine at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He studied medicine at University College, Dublin and received his research training at McMaster University and at the University of California, San Francisco.

Paul’s research interests have focused on the mechanisms involved in allergic asthma, including cell recruitment and activation, the inflammatory and broncho-constrictor mediators released from inflammatory cells, the structural consequences of the persisting inflammation in asthma, and the efficacy and mechanisms of action of anti-asthma drugs.

Paul has authored more than 260 peer-reviewed articles, 80 textbook chapters and editorials, has edited 8 textbooks, and is a frequent lecturer at international meetings. He is currently Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Global Initiative on Asthma (GINA).