ASH Announces Top Trainee Abstracts of 2019 Annual Meeting

(WASHINGTON, November 7, 2019) – The American Society of Hematology (ASH) is pleased to recognize the following trainees, whose meritorious scientific abstract has received one of the awards in the ASH Abstract Achievement Award program portfolio, at the 61st ASH Annual Meeting, December 7-10 in Orlando.

Trainees and trainee led research are vital to the advancement of the field of hematology. ASH, recognizing the impact of research conducted by the next generation of leaders in the field, has a comprehensive award program dedicated to recognizing commendable science submitted to the ASH Annual Meeting.

“I am thrilled to acknowledge these talented early-career researchers for their outstanding contributions in hematology,” said ASH President Roy Silverstein, MD, of the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. “Being able to present their work at the annual meeting is an incredible opportunity for them to gain recognition for their hard work and grow in their careers.”

The 2019 Outstanding Abstract Achievement Award recipients are:   

Undergraduate Student
Stacy B. Kiven, BS
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Abstract 76
Calpain-1 Contributes to Pain and Organ Damage in Sickle Cell Disease

Medical Student
Hrishikesh Srinagesh, BA
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
Abstract 367
The MAGIC Algorithm Probability (MAP): A Novel Laboratory Biomarker for the Response to Treatment of Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Graduate Student
Melanie Castro-Mollo, MD
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
Abstract 2
Erythroferrone Regulates Bone Remodeling in β-Thalassemia

Resident Physician
Naranie Shanmuganathan, MBBS, FRACP, FRCPA
Royal Adelaide Hospital and SA Pathology, Adelaide, Australia
Abstract 662
RNA Splicing Defects in Cancer-Linked Genes Indicate Mutation or Focal Gene Deletion and Are Associated with TKI Resistance in CML

Post-Doctoral Fellow
Tomoya Muto, MD PhD
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
Abstract 727
Innate Immune Signaling Suppresses Acute Leukemia By Modifying MYC Oncogenic Activity

Mary Rodes Gibson Memorial Award in Hemostasis and Thrombosis
The Mary Rodes Gibson Memorial Award in Hemostasis and Thrombosis was established to recognize the trainee (undergraduate student, medical student, graduate student, resident physician, or post-doctoral fellow) who is the first author and presenter of the highest-scoring abstract submitted to the ASH Annual Meeting in the field of hemostasis and thrombosis. This annual award honoring excellence in hemostasis and thrombosis is made possible by the Mary Rodes Gibson Hemostasis-Thrombosis Foundation to continue the legacy of Mary Rodes Gibson, who suffered from severe, type 3 von Willebrand disease.

This award will be presented during the invited speaker session of the Special Symposium on the Basic Science of Hemostasis and Thrombosis on Monday, December 9, 2019 from 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM, OCCC, Tangerine 3 (WF3-4).

The 2019 recipient is:

Oluwatoyosi Muse, PhD
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
Abstract 632
The Unfolded Protein Response Causes Prothrombotic Transformation of Pancreatic Cancer Linking Tumor Progression with Cancer-Associated Thrombosis

ASH-International Paroxysmal Interest Group Abstract Achievement Award for Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria
2019 recipients are:

Hassan Awada, MD
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
Abstract 2499
Molecular Characterization of Leukemia Evolving from Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria

Tanabe Mikoto, MD
Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
Abstract 3736
A GPI-Anchored Protein, CD109, Protects Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells from Erythroid Differentiation Induced By TGF-β.

Giuseppe Bigi Memorial Award
The ASH Giuseppe Bigi Memorial Award was established in 2015 to recognize an Italian trainee (undergraduate student, medical student, graduate student, resident physician, or post-doctoral fellow) based at an Italian institution who has the highest-scoring abstract submitted in the field of hematopoiesis and stem cells. This annual award is made possible by a generous grant from the Giuseppe Bigi Association, named for the late Giuseppe Bigi, MD, a well-known Italian scientist.

The 2019 recipient is:

Marilena Ciciarello, PhD
Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria S. Orsola- Malphighi, Bologna, Italy
Abstract 1212
Interferon-γ-Dependent Inflammatory Signature in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells Is Able to Shape Stromal and Immune Bone Marrow Microenvironment

Giuseppe Bigi Abstract Achievement Award Recipient
The 2019 recipient is:

Annamaria April, PhD-IRCCS
San Raffaelle Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
Abstract 967
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Function in β-Thalassemia Is Impaired and Is Rescued By Targeting the Bone Marrow Niche

ASH-British Society of Haematology Abstract Achievement Award
2019 recipients are:

Sam Alimam, DHCS, MD 
King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Abstract 308
Molecular, Epigenetic and Gene Expression Profiling of Triple Negative Essential Thrombocythaemia

Claire Burney, MBBS
University Hospitals Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
Abstract 701
Ibrutinib for Relapsed Mantle Cell Lymphoma after Standard First Line Therapy and ASCT Is Efficacious but Does Not Overcome the Impact of POD24 – a Retrospective Study from the LWP-EBMT

Konstantinos Tzelepis, PhD
University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Abstract 403
Pharmacological Inhibition of the RNA m6a Writer METTL3 As a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

ASH-Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand Abstract Achievement Award
2019 recipient is:

Chong Chyn Chua, MBBS, FRACP, FRCPA
The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Abstract 462
Anti-Leukemic Activity of Single Agent Venetoclax in Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Sub-Set Analysis of the Caveat Study.

ASH-Japanese Society of Hematology Abstract Achievement Award
2019 recipients are:

Takeshi Fujino, MD
University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Abstract 821
Mutant ASXL1 Promotes Expansion of the Phenotypic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Compartment

Haruko Shima, MD, PhD
Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
Abstract 25
Discontinuation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor in Children with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (JPLSG STKI-14 study)

Koya Ono, MD
Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
Abstract 3530
Molecular Characterization and Novel Therapeutic Strategy for X-Linked Siderblastic Anemia Associated with ALAS2 Missense Variants

ASH-Society Italiana di Ematologia Abstract Achievement Award
2019 recipients are:

Chiara Magnani, PhD
University of Milano-Bicocca/Fondazione MBBM, Milano, Italy
Abstract 200
Donor-Derived CD19 CAR Cytokine Induced Killer (CIK) Cells Engineered with Sleeping Beauty Transposon for Relapsed B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL)

Pier Edoardo Rovatti, MD
IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
Abstract 513
Exploiting an Anti-CD3/CD33 Bispecific Antibody to Redirect Donor T Cells Against HLA Loss Leukemia Relapses

Minority Graduate Student Abstract Achievement Award
Each year, ASH offers merit-based Minority Graduate Student Abstract Achievement Awards to select graduate students to honor their research accomplishments and to recruit and retain underrepresented minority graduate students in the field of hematology through exposure to the ASH Annual Meeting.

The 2019 Minority Graduate Student Abstract Achievement Award recipients are:

Adedamola Elujoba-Bridenstine, MS
University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Abstract 3707
The Neurotransmitter Receptor Gabbr1 Regulates Proliferation and Function of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells

Marcus Florez, BS
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Abstract 3726
IFNy Stimulation Induces Hematopoietic Stem Cell Homing and Niche Relocalization

Mohammed Gbadamosi, BS
University of Florida College of Pharmacy, Gainesville, FL
Abstract 908
Novel CD33 Antibodies Unravel Localization, Biology, and Therapeutic Implications of CD33 Isoforms

Jamie Hamilton, BS
Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Abstract 1468
Elevated Levels of Interleukin-9 in Obese Microenvironments Promote Leukemia Progression and Chemoresistance in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells

Joseph Krambs, BS
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Abstract 1209
Canonical Signaling By TGF Family Members in Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Is Dispensable for Hematopoietic Niche Maintenance Under Basal and Stress Conditions

Emaan Madany, BS
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Abstract 716
Increased Expression of Type 1 Interferon Stimulated Genes in Sickle Cell Disease and a Potential Association with RBC Alloimmunization

A complete list of Abstract Achievement Award recipients will be available at https://www.hematology.org/Awards/Award-Recipients/Abstract-Achievement/

The American Society of Hematology (ASH) (www.hematology.org) is the world’s largest professional society of hematologists dedicated to furthering the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting the blood. For more than 60 years, the Society has led the development of hematology as a discipline by promoting research, patient care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology. ASH publishes Blood (www.bloodjournal.org), the most cited peer-reviewed publication in the field, and Blood Advances (www.bloodadvances.org), an online, peer-reviewed open-access journal.

Contact:
Sara Khalaf, American Society of Hematology
[email protected]; 202-552-4925