Dr. Francesco Bonella is Head of the Outpatients Clinic for Interstitial and Rare Lung Disease and Assistant Professor at the Ruhrlandklinik University Hospital, Essen, Germany. After receiving his M.D. and board certification at the University of Verona, Italy, he earned his international Ph.D. in Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILDs) at the University of Essen. Dr. Bonella’s research interests include idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), alveolar proteinosis, rheumatic-associated ILDs, and sarcoidosis with a special focus on biomarkers, genetic predisposition, and applications of bronchoalveolar lavage. In recent years, he has acted as an investigator for major clinical trials in IPF, sarcoidosis, and alveolar proteinosis. He is a reviewer for numerous scientific journals and has authored many chapters in textbooks, original articles, case reports, editorials, and reviews. Dr. Bonella co-founded EuPAPNet, the European Network for Alveolar Proteinosis, and the European Reference Network (ERN)-Lung, leading the ILD core network. He is a member of several scientific societies and is the Elected Chair (he previously served as Secretary) of the European Respiratory Society ERS Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease (DPLD).