Professor Klaus F. Rabe, MD, PhD, FERS, is a leading figure in respiratory medicine, holding a professorship in Pulmonary Medicine at the University of Kiel, Germany, and serving as the Director of the Department of Pneumology at the LungClinic Grosshansdorf. With a distinguished career spanning clinical practice, academic leadership, and groundbreaking research, he has significantly advanced the understanding and treatment of chronic pulmonary diseases.
Professor Rabe’s work is characterized by his contributions to major clinical trials in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, including pivotal investigations of novel therapies. His research interests encompass mechanisms of airway inflammation, determinants of lung health, and the endoscopic staging of lung cancer, reflecting a broad commitment to improving respiratory care.
In addition to his research and clinical responsibilities, Prof. Rabe has played prominent roles in the international respiratory community. He has served as President of the European Respiratory Society and of the German Chest Society, and he currently holds the position of Vice Chairman at the German Center for Lung Research (DZL). He has also contributed his expertise to global initiatives such as GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma) and GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease).
An active member of multiple professional societies — including the British Pharmacological Society and the American Thoracic Society — Prof. Rabe has been involved in editorial roles for influential journals such as the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and served as Chief Editor of the European Respiratory Journal. His international recognition includes prestigious honors such as the Balzan Prize for contributions to the pathophysiology of respiration.
