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Leadership in Science

Recipients are selected for their contributions to the fields of bone marrow failure disease treatment and/or research. Nominees are considered for their impact on patients and families affected by aplastic anemia, MDS and PNH, and/or their contributions through research to increasing knowledge and understanding about these diseases. Additional consideration is given to those who have demonstrated a commitment to AA&MDSIF.

Amy DeZern, MD, MHS

DeZern, Amy
Associate Professor of Oncology and Director of the Bone Marrow Failure and MDS Program at the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center in Baltimore, Maryland
Award Year: 
2022

The AAMDSIF Leadership in Science Award was presented to Amy DeZern, MD, MHS, at our 8th International

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Pamela Becker, MD, PhD

Becker, Pamela
Professor of Clinical Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center at UC Irvine; Affiliate Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine
Award Year: 
2020

Dr. Becker is a pioneering leader in translational research and optimizing therapy of hematological malignancies.  She is a highly respected clinician with expertise in

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Valeria Santini, MD

Santini, Valeria
Associate Professor of Hematology, University of Florence, Italy
Award Year: 
2017

Dr. Santini leads the MDS program in the Hematology Unit at the Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi Medical School, University of Florence. She was recognized for her scientific interests and publications focused on maturation induction and therapeutic targeting of epigenetics modifications, myeloid leukemias, and

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H. Joachim Deeg, MD

Deeg, H. Joachim
Medical Oncologist, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Professor of the Medical Oncology Division at the University of Washington Medical School, Member of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center’s Clinical Research Division
Award Year: 
2008

A long‐time friend of AA&MDSIF, Dr. Deeg brings a beacon of hope for patients and their families facing MDS through his research and his personal care,  Highly regarded for his outstanding contributions as a researcher and clinician, Dr. Deeg specializes in treating blood disorders, bone marrow transplant, leukemia and myelodyplastic syndromes (MDS).

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David Steensma, MD, FACP

Steensma, David
Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Award Year: 
2015

Dr. Steensma is Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Attending Physician at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. His primary area of clinical activity and research focus is

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Alan List, MD

List, Alan
President and CEO, Moffitt Cancer Center
Award Year: 
2014

President and Chief Executive Officer of Moffitt Cancer Center, Dr. List is internationally recognized for his many contributions in the development of novel, more effective treatment strategies for myelodysplastic syndrome (

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Mikkael A. Sekeres, MD, MS

Sekeres, Mikkael
Associate professor of medicine and Director of the Leukemia Program, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute
Award Year: 
2013

Dr. Sekeres is associate professor of medicine and Director of the Leukemia Program, Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders with the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Ohio. He earned a medical degree and a master’s in clinical

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Richard Stone, MD

Stone, Richard
Clinical Director of the Adult Leukemia Program at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Attending physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School
Award Year: 
2009

Dr. Stone cares for patients with acute and chronic leukemias, myelodysplasia and myeloproliferative disorders. Dr. Stone conducts clinical and translational research with the goal of deriving better outcomes for patients with these disorders. His laboratory research focuses on the mechanism of leukemic cell differentiation, with the ultimate goal of producing new cancer therapies.

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