IASLC Board of Directors Elections 2025: Spotlight on Undesignated Seat Candidates

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) is currently conducting its 2025 Board of Directors elections. Among the positions up for election are the Undesignated Seats, which are open to all members regardless of geographic region. Distinguished candidates are vying for Undesignated Seats, each bringing a wealth of experience and dedication to the field of thoracic oncology.

Dr. Lizza Hendriks

Institution: Maastricht University Medical Centre, Netherlands

Dr. Hendriks is a leading pulmonologist specializing in thoracic oncology. She heads the Clinical Lung Cancer Research Department at Maastricht UMC and serves as an Associate Professor at Maastricht University. Her research focuses on brain metastases in lung cancer, neurocognition, and oligometastatic disease. She has been actively involved with the IASLC, contributing to the development of lung cancer staging systems and serving as an associate editor for JTO Clinical and Research Reports.

Dr. Helena Linardou

Institution: Metropolitan Hospital, Athens, Greece

Dr. Linardou is a medical oncologist with a focus on thoracic oncology. She directs the 4th Oncology Department and the Comprehensive Clinical Trials Center at Metropolitan Hospital. Her work encompasses biomarker discovery, precision medicine, and survivorship research. She holds leadership roles in several oncology societies, including serving as Chair of the ESMO Women for Oncology Committee and as a member of the IASLC Educational Committee.

Prof. Isabelle Opitz

Institution: University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland

Prof. Opitz is the Director of the Department of Thoracic Surgery and Chair of the Lung Cancer Center at University Hospital Zurich. Her clinical expertise includes surgical treatment of lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma. She has authored over 240 publications and has been recognized with awards such as the Robert J. Ginsberg Lectureship Award from IASLC. She is also involved in organizing the IASLC World Conference on Lung Cancer 2025.

Prof. Sara Ramella

Institution: Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Italy

Prof. Ramella is a Full Professor in Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy and heads the Radiation Oncology Unit at Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico. Her research focuses on advanced radiation oncology for lung cancer. She has contributed to international guidelines and has held leadership roles in societies like ESTRO and AIRO. Prof. Ramella is also committed to education, directing residency programs and promoting gender equality in academia.

Dr. Ken Harada

Institution: Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital, Japan​

Dr. Harada is a clinical radiation oncologist with a background in Astronomy Physics from the University of Wisconsin. After obtaining his medical degree from Tokai University, he completed his residency and fellowship at the National Cancer Center Hospital in Tokyo. His research focuses on developing minimally invasive and cost-efficient nanomaterials for clinical applications, aiming to expand into antibody-drug development. An active member of IASLC and the Japan Lung Cancer Society, Dr. Harada has contributed to personalized radiotherapy projects and served on various IASLC committees.​

Dr. Hidehito Horinouchi

Institution: National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan​

Dr. Horinouchi serves as Assistant Chief at the Department of Thoracic Oncology and Director of the Center for Professional Education and Career Development. He supports young oncologists in specialized cancer treatment education and has facilitated numerous clinical trials in thoracic oncology. His leadership roles extend to educational committees in the Japan Lung Cancer Society, Japanese Society of Medical Oncology, and IASLC. Notably, he has been instrumental in aligning JLCS with IASLC through a formal partnership. Dr. Horinouchi has published over 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts and continues to influence thoracic oncology research and education.​

Dr. Junichi Soh

Institution: Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan​

Dr. Soh is a thoracic surgeon and researcher specializing in cancer and molecular biology. He earned his M.D. and Ph.D. from Okayama University Medical School and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. With over 190 peer-reviewed publications, his work has significantly impacted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for lung cancer. Dr. Soh holds board certifications from the Japan Surgical Society and the Japanese Board of General Thoracic Surgery and actively participates in organizations like IASLC and AACR.​

Dr. Yasushi Yatabe

Institution: National Cancer Center Hospital and Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan​

Dr. Yatabe is Chief of the Department of Diagnostic Pathology and the Division of Molecular Pathology. After earning his medical degree from Tsukuba University and Ph.D. from Nagoya University, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Southern California. An active IASLC member for over 15 years, he has served as Chair of the Pathology Committee and Co-chair for the CAP/IASLC/AMP molecular testing guidelines board. With over 600 peer-reviewed articles, his research has significantly contributed to integrating clinical molecular oncology and pathology.​

Dr. Clarissa Baldotto

Institution: Rede D’Or and Instituto D’Or for Research and Education (ID’Or), Brazil

Dr. Clarissa Baldotto is a thoracic medical oncologist whose career reflects deep dedication to clinical research, mentorship, and professional leadership. Trained at INCA, Brazil’s premier cancer center, she holds an MSc in Oncology and a PhD in Medical Sciences with a focus on lung cancer.

She serves as Medical Director of Oncology Integrated Care at Rede D’Or, the largest hospital network in Brazil, and is a professor and residency coordinator at ID’Or. Passionate about developing young talent, Dr. Baldotto mentors oncologists and advances innovative cancer research.

A key figure in Latin America’s oncology community, she is the President-Elect of the Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology (SBOC) and former President of the Brazilian Group of Thoracic Oncology (GBOT). On the international stage, she serves on the IASLC Education Committee and leads its Webinars Subcommittee, striving to expand access to lung cancer education globally.

Dr. Ticiana Leal

Institution: Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute, USA

Dr. Ticiana Leal is Associate Professor and Director of the Thoracic Oncology Program at Emory University, where she also serves as Medical Director of the Clinical Trials Office at Winship Cancer Institute. Board-certified in medical oncology, Dr. Leal specializes in lung cancer, mesothelioma, and thymic malignancies.

Her clinical research is centered on early-phase and combination clinical trials for thoracic cancers, with the goal of bringing novel therapies to patients. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and is a sought-after speaker in national and international forums.

Dr. Leal is Vice-President and President-Elect of the Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology (GASCO), reflecting her commitment to professional advocacy and leadership in oncology.

Dr. Lucia Viola

Institution: Fundación Neumológica Colombiana and CTIC-LC Sarmiento Angulo Cancer Center, Colombia

Dr. Lucia Viola is a pulmonologist and interventional pulmonology specialist dedicated to early lung cancer detection in Latin America. Based in Bogotá, Colombia, she leads the early detection program at her institution and focuses on improving diagnostic pathways, especially for non-smokers and underserved populations.

Her academic journey includes training at Universidad de La Sabana and continued advancement in interventional pulmonology. Her clinical interests lie in the development of pulmonary nodule clinics and innovative early detection programs suited for low- and middle-income countries.

Internationally, Dr. Viola is an active IASLC member and currently serves as Track Co-Chair for Nursing, Allied Health, and Palliative Care at the IASLC 2025 WCLC. She also co-chaired LALCA 2024 and is Director of the Latin American Thoracic Association, emphasizing her commitment to regional collaboration and global progress.

Dr. Nagla Abdel Karim

Institution: Inova Schar Cancer Institute / University of Virginia, USA

Dr. Nagla Abdel Karim is an internationally trained thoracic oncologist whose career has spanned continents and institutions. After earning her MD from the University of Cairo, she pursued extensive training in internal medicine and oncology, culminating in a PhD with collaborative training at the University of Washington. Her academic and clinical appointments have included faculty roles at Ohio State University, the University of Cincinnati, and the Medical College of Georgia.

At Inova Schar Cancer Institute, Dr. Karim served as Director of the Phase I Program and Professor of Medicine at the University of Virginia. Her research focuses on personalized therapy for lung cancer, including leading roles in SWOG clinical trials like the SLFN11-targeted S1929 study. She chairs the thoracic neuroendocrine subcommittee at SWOG and leads the oligometastatic subcommittee at IASLC.

A passionate investigator and clinical trialist, Dr. Karim brings a global perspective and strong research leadership to the field of thoracic oncology.

Dr. Lyudmila Bazhenova

Institution: UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, USA

Dr. Lyudmila Bazhenova is a leading thoracic medical oncologist and professor of medicine at UC San Diego, with over two decades of experience in patient care, research, and mentorship. She leads the Lung Cancer Unit and directs the Hematology-Oncology Training Program, reflecting her dedication to education and career development for the next generation of oncologists.

A longtime contributor to IASLC, Dr. Bazhenova has been actively involved in its committees, annual conferences, and mentorship programs for over 14 years. She also serves as deputy editor of Lung Cancer and has published extensively in top-tier journals such as NEJM, JCO, The Lancet Oncology, and JTO.

Beyond IASLC, she has held leadership roles in ASCO and the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, where she has helped drive clinical standards and advance trial design across respiratory malignancies. Her career is marked by excellence in clinical research, mentorship, and policy leadership.

Dr. Narjust Florez

Institution: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute / Harvard Medical School, USA

Dr. Narjust Florez is a dynamic clinician-researcher with a mission to improve lung cancer care for historically underserved and vulnerable populations. Originally from Venezuela, Dr. Florez graduated at the top of her medical school class and trained in internal medicine at Rutgers and oncology at the Mayo Clinic, where she served as chief fellow.

At the University of Wisconsin, she founded the Midwest’s first women’s lung cancer clinic, which earned the IASLC North American Cancer Care Team Award in 2021. Now at Dana-Farber, she serves as Associate Director of the Cancer Care Equity Program and leads the Community-Based Cancer Diagnostic Clinic.

She is the first Latina associate editor for JAMA Oncology, overseeing content in diversity, equity, inclusion, and thoracic oncology. Through the Florez Laboratory, she designs and implements interventions to reduce disparities in cancer diagnosis and care. A tireless advocate and educator, Dr. Florez is redefining equity in lung cancer care through research, mentorship, and community engagement.

Dr. John V. Heymach

Institution: MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA

Dr. John V. Heymach is a physician-scientist internationally recognized for his pioneering work in targeted therapy, angiogenesis, and biomarker development in lung cancer. He serves as Chair of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology and Professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center, with a dual appointment in Cancer Biology.

Dr. Heymach received his MD and PhD from Stanford University and trained at Brigham and Women’s and Dana-Farber, including research under Dr. Judah Folkman and clinical mentorship from Dr. Bruce Johnson. Since joining MD Anderson in 2005, he has led pivotal studies that have shaped standards of care in early-stage NSCLC, oligometastatic disease, and EGFR/HER2-mutant lung cancer.

A committed member of the IASLC community, Dr. Heymach has championed multidisciplinary collaboration, education, and global advocacy. He has served on the NCI Thoracic Malignancy Steering Committee, SWOG, and NRG, and advises multiple patient advocacy organizations such as Lungevity and the EGFR Resisters.

Dr. Terufumi Kato

Institution: Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

Dr. Terufumi Kato currently serves as Director of the Clinical Research Center at the Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center, Komagome Hospital. With over three decades of experience, his clinical expertise focuses on personalized treatment strategies for lung cancer, particularly in relation to biomarkers and immune checkpoint inhibitors.

After earning his MD from Kyoto University, Dr. Kato trained in internal medicine and medical oncology across premier institutions in Japan. He previously led thoracic oncology units at both Kanagawa Cancer Center and Kanagawa Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center.

Dr. Kato is actively engaged with IASLC, ASCO, ESMO, and several Japanese oncology societies, contributing to scientific programming and international collaboration. His clinical research includes extensive work on drug-induced pneumonitis, and he has participated in numerous trials involving perioperative and advanced-stage therapies.

Professor Jie Wang

Institution: National Cancer Center / Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China

Professor Jie Wang is one of China’s foremost experts in thoracic oncology, with over 30 years of leadership in clinical research and education. She chairs the Medical Oncology Division at China’s National Cancer Center and has played a transformative role in lung cancer diagnostics and treatment.

Her research contributions include pivotal studies in targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and liquid biopsy. She led major trials such as CHOICE-01 and RATIONALE 307, with findings integrated into national and international guidelines, including NCCN and CSCO. She has authored more than 150 publications in The Lancet Oncology, Cancer Cell, JCO, and other leading journals.

Professor Wang has held key leadership roles in CSCO and the Chinese Medical Doctor Association and received the IASLC Heine H. Hansen Lectureship Award in 2023. She also serves on the IASLC DEI Task Force and Membership Committee, continuing her commitment to equity and collaboration in global oncology.

Dr. Zhang Li

Institution: Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Centre, China

Dr. Zhang Li is Deputy Director of the Lung Cancer Research Centre at SYSUCC and one of China’s most prolific contributors to thoracic oncology. A clinician-scientist and educator with over 30 years of experience, Dr. Zhang’s work spans molecular diagnostics, clinical trials, and palliative care.

He trained at SYSUCC, MD Anderson, and Institut Gustave Roussy, and has published over 400 peer-reviewed papers in Lancet, JAMA, Nature Medicine, and more. His research focuses on NSCLC and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, with strong emphasis on quality-of-life improvements in cancer care.

Dr. Zhang holds major leadership roles within CACA, CSCO, and the Chinese FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation. He contributes to national regulatory policies and international clinical trial design, bringing a regulatory and translational research lens to IASLC’s mission.

Dr. Rudolf M. Huber
Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU), Munich, Germany

Dr. Rudolf Huber is Professor of Medicine at LMU and former Head of the Division of Respiratory Medicine and Thoracic Oncology at the University Hospitals, Campus Innenstadt. A pioneer in thoracic oncology, he founded and led the Thoracic Oncology Centre Munich and played a key role in establishing the Comprehensive Pneumology Centre (CPC-M) and the German Centre for Lung Research (DZL).

His work integrates clinical care, translational research, and health policy, with research focused on early detection, tumor microenvironment, and radiochemotherapy in lung cancer. Dr. Huber has authored over 450 peer-reviewed publications and holds an H-index of 52.

He serves in leadership roles across ERS, ACCP (Governor), and IASLC (Chair, Committee on Early Detection and Screening), and advises Germany’s Federal Joint Committee on drug reimbursement, bringing clinical and policy perspectives to IASLC.

Dr. Enrico Ruffini
Institution: University of Torino, Italy

Dr. Enrico Ruffini is Professor of Thoracic Surgery at the University of Torino and one of Europe’s leading voices in surgical oncology and staging of thoracic malignancies. He holds dual residencies in General and Thoracic Surgery and the European Board of Thoracic Surgery certification.

He has served as President of the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS), Secretary General of the International Thymic Malignancies Interest Group, and led the thymic domain of IASLC’s Staging Committee for the 9th TNM edition. He now serves on the Steering Committee for the 10th TNM project.

Dr. Ruffini has published over 300 peer-reviewed articles (H-index 55) and contributed to key guidelines with ESMO, ESTRO, ASTRO, and EORTC. His work enhances IASLC’s efforts in global staging standards and surgical innovation.

Dr. Daniel Sterman
Institution: NYU Grossman School of Medicine, USA

Dr. Daniel Sterman is Professor of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at NYU and Director of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine and the Multidisciplinary Pulmonary Oncology Program.

An expert in interventional pulmonology, tumor immunotherapy, and gene therapy, he has translated laboratory research into clinical trials for lung cancer and mesothelioma. At Penn, he founded several programs, including Interventional Pulmonology and the Mesothelioma and Pleural Diseases Program.

Dr. Sterman is past president of both AABIP and iMiG, with ongoing research into intratumoral and intranodal immunotherapies. His cross-disciplinary expertise brings a translational and innovative edge to IASLC’s clinical research and immuno-oncology strategy.

Dr. Motoko Tachihara
Institution: Kobe University, Japan

Dr. Motoko Tachihara is Associate Professor in the Division of Respiratory Medicine at Kobe University. A leader in bronchoscopy, drug development, and pneumonitis management, she is also a certified cytologist and medical oncologist.

She co-developed the virtual bronchoscopic navigation system (Bf-NAVI®) and leads multiple clinical trials through the West Japan Oncology Group (WJOG). A longtime IASLC member, she has served as SCLC Program Chair for WCLC (2024, 2025), and contributes to the DEI Task Force and Career Development Committee.

Dr. Tachihara is a respected mentor to young physicians in Japan and a role model for women in science. She brings deep clinical knowledge, technological innovation, and a strong commitment to equity and education to IASLC.

Learn more on IASLC website.