MASCC Premium Awards
Mucositis Study Group
Outstanding Study Group Award
The Outstanding Study Group Award recognizes a study group’s excellence and achievement in promoting, activating, and executing activity within the study group. This year’s award goes to the Mucositis Study Group, who (among other accomplishments) have:
- Developed and published a guidance document on mucositis assessment
- Published a paper on the contribution of the microbiome to the pathogenesis of mucositis
- Co-hosted 3 parallel sessions at the 2025 Annual Meeting
- Provided mentorship to multiple young investigators in the field
Dr. Ragda Abdalla-Aslan
Outstanding Study Group Member Award
The Outstanding Study Group Member Award recognizes the study group member who demonstrated exceptional contributions and achievements towards the advancement of the study group projects and activities over the past year. This year’s award goes to Dr. Ragda Abdalla-Aslan, who has demonstrated outstanding leadership on multiple recent Mucositis Study Group projects, including the international Delphi study and guidance document on mucositis assessment, a Risk Prediction Working Group, and a survey on MASCC guidelines implementation. Dr. Abdalla-Aslan has consistently proven herself to be an enthusiastic, motivated and collegial group member whose leadership has been integral to the success of the study group.
MASCC Merit-Based Awards
Dr. Darren Haywood
Emerging Investigator Award
The Emerging Investigator Award recognizes an early-to-mid-career researcher who has contributed significantly to MASCC-led research activities within the past two years. This year’s award goes to Dr. Darren Haywood, an outstanding early-career researcher who has led or contributed to numerous significant MASCC projects in recent years. Dr. Haywood led the development and validation of the first multi-domain, purpose-built unmet needs assessment for cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) impact: the MASCC COG-IMPACT. This tool has already received wide attention and has been endorsed by the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA). Additionally, Dr. Haywood was first author on two recent MASCC publications: Accounting for unmet needs resulting from cancer-related cognitive impairment and The effect of non-pharmacological interventions on cognitive function in cancer: An overview of systematic reviews, as well as co-first author on Application of artificial intelligence in symptom monitoring in adult cancer survivorship: A systematic review. He has been a standout contributor to MASCC projects across multiple study groups, resulting in consistently high-impact and meaningful work.
A/Prof. Raghav Sundar
Innovator Award
The Innovator Award recognizes an individual with novel, bold thinking and impactful, non-traditional, out-of-the-box ideas that have changed or enhanced direction, practices, and services in supportive cancer care within the past two years. This year’s award goes to A/Prof. Raghav Sundar for his groundbreaking work in the development of the Paxman Limb Cryocompression System, a bespoke, wearable limb cryocompression device designed for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. As Principal Investigator of all related clinical trials and co-inventor of the device, A/Prof. Sundar was instrumental in both the device development and clinical implementation phases of this innovation. This global effort has been recognized as a Practice Changing Innovation by the Singapore government, and the success of the device has led to a randomized phase III trial recruiting nearly 800 patients.
Dr. Elizabeth J. Cathcart-Rake
Outstanding Publication Award
The Outstanding Publication Award recognizes an individual who is the first author on an original article in a leading academic journal on a topic related to supportive cancer care within the past year. This year’s award goes to Dr. Elizabeth J. Cathcart-Rake as first author on the article Cancer care for transgender and gender-diverse people: Practical, literature-driven recommendations from the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer. This article was published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, the highest-rated oncology journal in the world, with an impact factor of 508.7. This publication characterizes unique oncologic care considerations for transgender and gender diverse individuals, a population which experiences discrimination in cancer care settings, poorer cancer symptom management and early cancer-related mortality. Congratulations to Dr. Cathcart-Rake for her leadership on this important contribution to the literature.
A/Prof. Hannah Wardill
Outstanding Educator Award
The Outstanding Educator Award recognizes an individual who has contributed significantly to MASCC educational activities within the past two years. This year’s award goes to A/Prof. Hannah Wardill, who has contributed significantly to the mission of increasing supportive care education on a global scale over the past two years. Her educational efforts span multiple global engagement platforms, including multiple MASCC webinars, an industry think-tank, and chairing six MASCC/ISOO Annual Meeting sessions. She has co-authored 20 abstracts submitted to recent MASCC meetings, as well as recent MASCC publications on mucositis assessment, the role of the microbiome in mucositis, and the Supportive Care 2030 Movement. She is also a highly active MASCC mentor and MASCC social media ambassador.
MASCC Abstract-Based Awards
Dr. Kathrin Milbury
Steven M. Grunberg Memorial Award
The Steven M. Grunberg Memorial Award recognizes excellent scientific achievement in the field of supportive care in cancer by an individual MASCC member. The honor is awarded to the author of the highest-ranking abstract submitted to the Annual Meeting. This year’s award goes to Dr. Kathrin Milbury, a psychologist and tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Behavioral Science at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Abstract: Yoga as Supportive Care for Patients Undergoing Thoracic Radiotherapy: Results of an Efficacy Trial
Prof. Cherith Semple
Cynthia N. Rittenberg Award in Nursing Excellence
The Cynthia N. Rittenberg Award in Nursing Excellence is awarded to one of the top five abstracts from MASCC members who are oncology nurses. This year’s award goes to Prof. Cherith Semple, a Professor in Clinical Cancer Nursing at Ulster University / South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.
Abstract: Mixed Methods Evaluation of an eLearning Intervention for Professionals Promoting Supportive Cancer Care When an Important Adult for Children is Dying
Dr. Julien Vos
Outstanding Young Investigator Award
The Outstanding Young Investigator Award is awarded to the junior investigator with the highest-ranked abstract submitted for a Young Investigator Award. This year’s award goes to Dr. Julien Vos, a GP trainee and postdoctoral researcher at the Department of General Practice, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Abstract: General Practitioner-Led vs Surgeon-Led Colon Cancer Survivorship Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Young Investigator Awards
Young Investigator Awards are open to all junior investigators who have submitted an abstract to an upcoming Annual Meeting, and are awarded to the first authors of the top abstracts submitted. This year’s recipients are:
Ms. Maya Davies
Ms. Maya Davies is a PhD student in the Supportive Oncology Research Group, University of Adelaide, Australia.
Abstract: Disruption of the Gut Microenvironment and Blood-Brain Barrier Predicts Cognitive Impairment After Pediatric Hematopoetic Stem Cell Transplant
Mrs. Reegan Knowles
Mrs. Reegan Knowles is a Research Fellow conducting Health Services Research in the Cancer Survivorship Program, Caring Futures Institute at Flinders University, South Australia.
Abstract: Minimum Competencies for Oncology Providers to Provide Effective Self-Management Support (SMS) to People Diagnosed With Cancer
Dr. Xi Liang
Dr. Xi Liang, a pharmacist by training, is currently a PhD candidate in the Pharmacotherapy Outcomes Research and Health Policy program at the University of Utah.
Abstract: Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenditure in Cancer: What Constitutes Catastrophic Healthcare Expenditure in the United States?
Ms. Hritika Deepak Pai
Ms. Hritika Deepak Pai is a PhD research fellow in the Department of Physiotherapy at Kasturba Medical College (KMC) Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), India.
Abstract: Effects of the MORE©️ Program on Physical Performance Outcomes Amongst Head and Neck Cancer Survivors Undergoing Chemo-Radiotherapy (CRT)
Dr. Maria Inês Clara
AICSO-MASCC Young Investigator Award
The AICSO-MASCC Young Investigator Award recognizes junior investigators associated with a Portuguese institution. This year’s recipient is Dr. Maria Inês Clara, a clinical psychologist and PhD candidate in Health Psychology at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Coimbra, Portugal.
Abstract: From WWW to ZZZ: Digital Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Cancer Survivors
Conference Scholarships
MASCC is committed to increasing attendance of oncology healthcare professionals from low-income countries at our Annual Meetings. MASCC provides a limited number of scholarships for this purpose in cases where attendance would not be possible without financial assistance. This year’s recipients are:
Prof. Cherishma Dsilva
Prof. Cherishma Dsilva is Professor and Head of the Department of Physiotherapy at Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore, India.
Abstract: Impact of an Exercise Oncology Program on Prognostic Inflammatory Markers in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemoradiation: A RCT
Dr. Mohammad Shahinur Kabir
Dr. Mohammad Shahinur Kabir is a physician and public health leader who founded Hospice Bangladesh in 2013 — the first structured home-care palliative service in the country — and later the Hospice Palliative Care Foundation, a charitable initiative offering free community-based services.
Abstract: Impact of an AI-Driven Advance Care Planning Tool on Palliative Care for Terminal Cancer Patients
Dr. Joseph Lazar Kannath
Dr. Joseph Lazar Kannath is Public Health Specialist at Maulana Azad Medical College.
Abstract: Catastrophic Health Expenditure and Impoverishment Among Patients With Cancer Seeking Care in a Public Hospital in India: A Cross-Sectional Study
A/Prof. Praveen Kumar Marimuthu
A/Prof. Praveen Kumar Marimuthu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Oncology at Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
Abstract: “Mind & Money”: Impact of a Structured Assessment Tool & Targeted Referral on Psychosocial & Financial Distress in Outpatients With Advanced Cancer
Dr. Omolola Salako
Dr. Omolola Salako is a Senior Lecturer and the Director of the Digital Health Hub at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos.
Abstract: Enhancing Supportive Cancer Care Patient Experience: The Role of Remote Symptom Monitoring in Side Effects Management
