From July 15–17, 2026, Porto, Portugal hosted clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates from around the globe for the 2026 Congress of the World Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders (WASOG). The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) was thrilled to attend, participate, and engage with partners and collaborators on a variety of initiatives.
FSR President and CEO, Mary McGowan, was a featured speaker at the congress, opening a session dedicated to the various manifestations of sarcoidosis. She underscored how FSR continues to position itself as a convener bringing together researchers, clinicians, and industry partners across the field.
Numerous FSR initiatives and collaborations were also highlighted. Tricha Shivas
presented on the 2025 Sarcoidosis Biomarker Summit, while Elise Hoover shared insights from FSR’s Patient Registry, and Dr. Mridu Gulati from Yale University* introduced FSR’s newest program, the Clinical Data Registry intended to launch in late 2026. Dr. Gulati’s Co-Chair on the program, Dr. Lisa Maier from National Jewish Health*, was also in the audience. Read the abstracts and view the posters here.
This kind of visibility is crucial for a foundation whose grant portfolio has funded nearly $11 million in sarcoidosis-specific research as meetings like WASOG are often where FSR-funded investigators first present findings to a global audience.
Momentum from convenings like WASOG 2026 reveal new and strengthen existing insights into FSR research priorities and future workshop planning into the future.
Featured here, from top left to bottom right: FSR’s Tricha Shivas, Dr. Mridu Gulati and Dr. Lisa Maier, FSR‘s Elise Hoover, and Dr. Logan Harper from Cleveland Clinic* and Co-Chair of the FSR-SARC Patient Registry; Dr. Johnny Jaber from UF Health; Dr. Maneesh Bhargava from the Ohio State University** and a member of FSR’s Scientific Advisory Board; Dr. Lisa Maier, member of FSR’s Scientific Advisory Board; Dr. Mark Mallozzi from National Jewish Health* and 2025 FSR/American Thoracic Society Partner Grantee; Dr. Shambu Aryal from Inova Health*.
FSR expresses sincere gratitude to Dr. António Morais, President of the
WASOG 2026 Organizing Committee, and Dr. Athol Wells, who handed over the WASOG Presidency to Dr. Jan Grutters during the program, for their extraordinary leadership. We look forward to working with Dr. Grutters on sarcoidosis initiatives in the years to come!
Pictured: Dr. Jan Grutters, WASOG President Elect, and FSR’s Tricha Shivas.
*FSR Global Sarcoidosis Clinic Alliance Founding Members
**FSR Global Sarcoidosis Clinic Alliance Member