Adolfo Ferrando, MD, PhD
William Dameshek, MD
The American Society of Hematology (ASH) presented the 2020 William Dameshek Prize to Adolfo Ferrando, MD, PhD, of Columbia University Institute for Cancer Genetics in New York, for his outstanding research on the impact of NOTCH1 mutations on T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
“I am deeply honored and full of gratitude,” said Dr. Ferrando. “Receiving this award from ASH is most humbling, particularly considering the list of extraordinary hematologists and researchers who have been recognized with the prize before me.”
The William Dameshek Prize is awarded to an early- or mid-career hematologist who has made a recent outstanding contribution to the field of hematology. This prize is named after the late William Dameshek, MD, Past President of ASH and the original editor of the Society’s flagship journal, Blood.
Refining Diagnosis and Treatment
Dr. Ferrando, Professor of Pediatrics, Pathology, and Cell Biology and Systems Biology at the Columbia University Institute for Cancer Genetics, is internationally renowned as a leader in the field of ALL biology. He is being recognized for his transformative work showing that mutations in the NOTCH1 gene drive T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia by hijacking lymphocyte development pathways responsible for cell growth, metabolism, and survival. This work supports inhibiting NOTCH1 as potential therapy in this disease.
Dr. Ferrando’s current research focuses on the genetics and mechanisms of ALL transformation and its resistance to therapy. His research seeks to identify key driver genetic alterations, dissecting their mechanisms of action, and to find new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
